Fedora Security Live is an open source and full featured distribution of Linux comprised of various graphical and command-line security oriented applications, providing users with a secure and safe test environment. It is built around the lightweight, fast and traditional Xfce desktop environment.
Availability, supported platforms, boot options
The operating system is distributed as two Live DVD ISO images, one for each of the supported hardware platforms (x64_64/64-bit and x86/32-bit). Each of this CD images can be burned onto blank DVD discs using any CD/DVD burning software or written to USB flash drives using Disks (GNOME) or UNetbootin.
The main boot option on these Live CDs is the ability to try the operating system without installing anything on your computers, using the default boot settings or running in safe graphics mode (in case your video card is not properly recognized). In addition, it is also possible to boot an existing OS installed on the first disk drive or run a memory diagnostic test.
Traditional desktop environment with a lightweight set of apps
The Xfce project provides users with a traditional desktop environment, comprised of a top panel for accessing the main menu, open programs, or interact with running apps and system tray area functions, as well as a bottom dock (application launcher).
Among the pre-installed security oriented applications, we can mention Ettercap, Airsnort, TCPJunk, Wireshark, DNS Tracer, Flawfinder, GNU ddrescue, GParted, TestDisk, Chkrootkit, Traffic Monitor, Nmap, Ncrack, Firewalk, Siege, and Aircrack-ng.
Default applications include the Midori web browser, Liferea news reader, Transmission torrent downloader, Claws Mail email client, Geany IDE and lightweight text editor, Clipman clipboard manager, Leafpad text editor, and Ristretto image viewer.
Bottom line
All in all, Fedora Security Live CD is a decent, stable and reliable distribution of Linux based on the latest Fedora technologies and specifically designed for security professionals who are looking for a lightweight operating system for forensics, security auditing and system rescue tasks. It can also be used by university professors to teach security testing methodologies to their students.
