Kali Linux 2021.1 Release: New hacking Tools and Updated core packages

Offensive Security, the developer of Kali Linux has announced a new version, Kali Linux 2021.1, which is the first release for the year, with addition of new hacking tools and updated core packages.

The latest release is coming on the heels of Kali Linux 2020.4, which was the final release of 2020 series, that brought some exciting new penetration testing improvements and tools. Among the novel features in the previous update is Kali's official partnership with byt3bl33d3r, the author of CrackMapExec (CME) tool, which makes it possible for Kali Linux users to access newest changes in CME even before it is made public as the Kali package of CME now pulls update directly from its private codebase.

Kali Linux 2021.1 comes with upgraded core packages, including the Linux kernel which has been updated to its latest long-term support version 5.10 and desktop environments such as Xfce and KDE Plasma updated to version 4.16 and 5.20, respectively.

What's New in Kali Linux 2021.1 Release?

Besides the updated core packages, Kali Linux 2021.1 enables the feature of command-not-found package by default, which not only suggests that you install a package if not already installed, but also points out typo errord with correct word and the original message of “command not found” given for any invalid command not found in Kali.

And Kali Linux is teaming up with BC Security for an exclusive early access to its “Empire” (powershell-empire) and “StarKiller” and Joohoi for the renown Fuzz Faster U Fool (ffuf) tool.

Furthermore, the latest Kali Linux version has added new hacking tools, such as Chisel, Airgeddon, Arjun, GitLeaks, DumpsterDiver, and HTTProbe. Other major key updates, include: Workarounds for mate-terminal, terminator, tmux, konsole, and tilix; with upgraded BusyBox and Rucky tool to version 1.32.0 and 2.1, repsectively.

How to Download or Upgrade to Kali Linux 2021.1

If you’re an existing user of Kali Linux and want to upgrade from the previous version to Kali Linux 2021.1, you can easily upgrade your system by running the following commands:

$ echo "deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt -y full-upgrade

$ [ -f /var/run/reboot-required ] && sudo reboot -f

And for those who are new to Kali, simply grab the new Kali 2021.1 ISO images which are now available for download with support for several platforms. Also, you can download the images for ARM-based devices such as Pinebook and Raspberry Pi.