1. Nmap
Used for network scanning.
It discovers devices, open ports, and vulnerabilities.
2. Wireshark
A packet analyzer that lets you see network traffic in detail.
Perfect for learning how data moves.
3. Burp Suite Community Edition
Great for testing web application security — especially input-based attacks.
4. Metasploit Framework
A powerful penetration testing tool used to find and exploit vulnerabilities.
5. Hydra
A fast brute-force tool used to test weak passwords.
6. John the Ripper
Used for password cracking and testing password strength.
7. Kali Linux
The most popular operating system for ethical hacking.
It includes hundreds of tools.
Conclusion
You don’t need paid tools to start ethical hacking.
These free tools are more than enough to build strong practical skills.
