BackBox is an open source and free Linux distribution based on the world’s most popular free operating system, Ubuntu, built around the lightweight Xfce desktop environment and developed to perform security assessments and penetration tests.
Distributed as Live DVDs for 64-bit and 32-bit platforms
The operating system can be downloaded from Softpedia or its official website as Live DVD ISO images of approximately 2GB in size each, designed to support the 64-bit (amd64) and 32-bit (i386) hardware platforms.
Boot options
Being based on Ubuntu, BackBox’s Live DVDs come with a standard, Ubuntu-style boot menu that allows the user to try the operating system without installing anything in forensics mode, persistent mode, text mode or compatibility mode, as well as to boot an existing OS from the first disk. It supports five languages, English, German, Spanish, French and Italian.
Very fast and low on resources desktop environment with top-notch apps
As mentioned, the default and only desktop environment of this Ubuntu flavor is Xfce, which uses its modern layout comprised of a top panel for quick interaction with running programs and a bottom dock for fast launching of your favorite applications.
It includes a wide range of penetration testing and security assessments tools, organized in three main categories: auditing, services and anonymous. Each category includes many subcategories, and each subcategory includes several applications.
Default apps include the Geany IDE, GIMP image editor, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, FileZilla file transfer client, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, TorChat anonymous chat client, XChat IRC client, Transmission torrent downloader, Brasero CD/DVD burning software, VLC Media Player, BleachBit system cleaner, Synaptic Package Manager, and LibreOffice office suite.
Bottom line
In conclusion, BackBox is an operating system designed to be easy-to-use and extremely fast. It provides a minimal, yet powerful and complete desktop environment, while pro-actively protects your IT infrastructure.
In addition, we want to mention that the Linux operating system reviewed here is the perfect security solution for small offices, providing you with incident response, penetration testing, computer forensics and intelligence gathering utilities. With BackBox you will not only get your box back, but you will be able to easily manage large security assessments throughout your entire organization.
