Top 25+ Kali Linux Interview Questions and Answers in 2025

Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution designed for Digital Forensics, Ethical Hacking, and Penetration Testing. It comes pre-loaded with a myriad of tools to facilitate various security tasks, making it the go-to choice for Cybersecurity professionals.

Linux comprises the following key elements: the Kernel, Shell, System Libraries, System Utilities, and Application Programs. Understanding these components is crucial for effectively navigating and utilising the Linux operating system.

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the operating system and is responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to other software. It acts as an intermediary between the hardware and the user applications.

Penetration Testing aims to identify vulnerabilities in a system before malicious actors can exploit them. The primary goals include:

a)  Assessing security weaknesses

b) Testing the effectiveness of security measures

c) Ensuring that the organisation's assets are well-protected

The 'free' command is commonly used to inspect occupied memory in Linux. It provides information about both physical and swap memory usage, aiding in system performance analysis.

Penetration Testing, often referred to as Pen Testing or Ethical Hacking, is a systematic approach to evaluating the security of a system or network by simulating real-world cyber-attacks. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities and assess the system's resistance to various security threats.

The 'grep' command is a powerful tool used for searching patterns within text files. In Kali Linux, it proves invaluable for analysing log files, extracting useful information, and identifying potential security issues.

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While both Vulnerability Testing and Pen Testing aim to identify weaknesses, Vulnerability Testing is more focused on scanning and assessing known vulnerabilities, often in an automated manner. Pen Testing, on the other hand, involves simulating real-world attacks to uncover potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system.

Penetration Testing follows various methodologies, with the most common being the "Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual" (OSSTMM) and the "Penetration Testing Execution Standard" (PTES). These frameworks provide structured approaches for conducting comprehensive pen-tests.

Running Armitage on Kali Linux involves a few straightforward steps. First, ensure that the 'Metasploit' service is running. Then, launch Armitage by typing 'Armitage' in the terminal. Alternatively, you can use the menu under "Applications" > "Kali Linux" > "Top 10 Security Tools" > "Armitage."

Sniffing involves intercepting and monitoring network traffic to capture sensitive information. Spoofing, on the other hand, is the act of forging or falsifying data to deceive systems or users. Both techniques are commonly used in Penetration Testing to identify and address security vulnerabilities.

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack overwhelms a system, service, or network by flooding it with traffic from multiple sources. The goal is to make the targeted service unavailable, disrupting normal operations. Kali Linux provides tools to simulate and mitigate DDoS attacks.

The Diffie-Hellman key exchange is a cryptographic protocol that enables two parties to exchange cryptographic keys securely over an insecure communication channel. It plays a vital role in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data during transmission.

Cryptography involves the use of mathematical techniques to secure communication and protect information from unauthorised access. Kali Linux includes a range of cryptographic tools for encryption, decryption, and other security-related tasks.

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Securing a server on Kali Linux involves implementing measures such as regularly updating software, configuring firewalls, using robust authentication methods, encrypting data, and conducting regular security audits. These steps help fortify the server against potential security threats.

Traceroute is a network diagnostic tool used to trace the route that packets take from one networked device to another. In Kali Linux, the 'traceroute' command helps identify network bottlenecks and troubleshoot connectivity issues.

Web applications return various HTTP status codes to indicate the success or failure of a request. Some standard codes include 200 (OK), 404 (Not Found), and 500 (Internal Server Error). Analysing these codes in Kali Linux aids in identifying potential security issues.

Kali Linux is renowned for its extensive support for wireless networking tools. It comes equipped with a plethora of drivers and tools, making it compatible with a wide range of wireless cards for tasks such as packet sniffing, monitoring, and Penetration Testing.

If Armitage fails to display hosts from the database, first ensure that the 'Metasploit' service is running. Additionally, check the database connection by running 'service postgresql start' and 'msfdb init' to initialise the Metasploit database.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. Kali Linux provides tools to detect and mitigate XSS vulnerabilities during Penetration Testing.

To resolve a Database Error on Kali Linux, restart the PostgreSQL service using the command 'service postgresql restart.' Additionally, ensure that the Metasploit database is initialised with 'msfdb init' to address any database-related issues.

To use Armitage against an Internet address, launch Armitage, go to the "Hosts" menu, select "Add Hosts," and enter the target IP address. Armitage will then scan the target and provide a graphical representation of potential vulnerabilities.

Metasploit is designed primarily for Linux but is also compatible with Windows. However, the Linux version is more commonly used for its robustness and flexibility in handling various security tasks.

Pivoting involves using a compromised system as a foothold to gain access to other systems within the same network. It enables attackers to move laterally and escalate privileges. Kali Linux includes tools to simulate and defend against pivoting attacks.

A firewall acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Configuring firewalls on Kali Linux is essential for securing the system and preventing unauthorised access.

DNS monitoring is crucial for detecting malicious activities, such as domain hijacking and unauthorised domain transfers. Kali Linux provides tools for monitoring and analysing DNS traffic to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities.

Cloud Cybersecurity focuses on securing data, applications, and infrastructure hosted in the cloud, while on-premises Cybersecurity involves safeguarding physical hardware and software within an organisation's premises. Kali Linux supports both environments, providing tools for assessing and enhancing security in diverse settings.

A network intrusion attack typically consists of reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering tracks. Kali Linux tools play a crucial role in simulating and defending against each phase, allowing Cybersecurity professionals to assess and enhance network security.