🌐 Web Hacking Tools - Complete Arsenal

Essential tools for web application security testing and penetration testing

📋 Overview

Web application security testing requires a diverse toolkit to identify vulnerabilities across different attack vectors. This section covers the most important tools used by penetration testers and security researchers for assessing web application security.

🎯 Tool Categories

🔍 Reconnaissance & Discovery

Tools for gathering information about web applications and discovering hidden content.

Tool Purpose Skill Level
Gobuster Directory/file/subdomain discovery Beginner
ffuf Fast web fuzzer for discovery Intermediate
Dirsearch Advanced directory discovery Beginner

🛡️ Vulnerability Scanning

Automated tools for identifying common web application vulnerabilities.

Tool Purpose Skill Level
OWASP ZAP Comprehensive web app security scanner Beginner
Nikto Web server vulnerability scanner Beginner
Nuclei Fast vulnerability scanner with templates Intermediate

🔓 Exploitation & Testing

Tools for manually testing and exploiting discovered vulnerabilities.

Tool Purpose Skill Level
Burp Suite Interactive web application security testing Intermediate
SQLMap Automated SQL injection testing Intermediate
XSStrike Advanced XSS detection and exploitation Advanced

💥 Exploitation Frameworks

Comprehensive frameworks for penetration testing and exploitation.

Tool Purpose Skill Level
Metasploit Complete penetration testing framework Advanced
BeEF Browser exploitation framework Advanced

🔐 Authentication Testing

Tools for testing authentication mechanisms and password security.

Tool Purpose Skill Level
Hydra Network logon cracker Intermediate
Medusa Parallel password cracker Intermediate
Patator Multi-purpose brute forcer Advanced

🚀 Getting Started

For Beginners:

  1. Start with OWASP ZAP for automated scanning
  2. Learn Gobuster for directory discovery
  3. Practice with Nikto for basic vulnerability scanning
  4. Move to Burp Suite for manual testing

For Intermediate Users:

  1. Master Burp Suite professional features
  2. Learn SQLMap for database testing
  3. Practice with Hydra for authentication testing
  4. Explore ffuf for advanced fuzzing

For Advanced Users:

  1. Deep dive into Metasploit framework
  2. Learn BeEF for browser exploitation
  3. Master XSStrike for XSS exploitation
  4. Develop custom scripts and tools

🛠️ Essential Setup

Kali Linux Installation

Most tools come pre-installed on Kali Linux:

# Update package list
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install additional tools if needed
sudo apt install gobuster hydra sqlmap nikto -y

Manual Installation

For tools not in repositories:

# ffuf
go install github.com/ffuf/ffuf@latest

# Nuclei
go install -v github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei/v2/cmd/nuclei@latest

📚 Learning Path

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Phase 2: Manual Testing (Weeks 3-6)

Phase 3: Advanced Techniques (Weeks 7-12)

Phase 4: Specialization (Months 4-6)

🎓 Recommended Learning Resources

Hands-On Platforms

Books & Documentation

Video Training

✅ DO:

❌ DON’T:

🤝 Contributing

Want to add a new tool guide or improve existing content?

  1. Fork this repository
  2. Create a new tool guide following the existing format
  3. Update this README.md to include your tool
  4. Submit a pull request

Tool Guide Format

Each tool guide should include:

📬 Community & Support

🚨 Important Reminder

These tools are extremely powerful and should only be used for legitimate security testing with proper authorization. Unauthorized use is illegal and unethical. Always practice responsible disclosure and follow applicable laws and regulations.

Made with ❤️ for the cybersecurity community. Practice ethical hacking and help make the web safer for everyone.