Why Real Hackers Prefer Linux Distro Over Other OS

Do you know why real hackers prefer Linux distro over Mac, Windows and other operating systems ?

Maybe we can say the availability of many hacking tools and the open-source nature of Linux is the main reason that compels hackers to use Linux. But it’s not:

Hackers choose Linux because of a lot of reasons. In this article we are going to list those reasons: Why do real hackers use Linux?

First of all who is a hacker?

• A hacker is someone who seeks and exploits weaknesses in a computer system or computer network and gains unauthorized access to your data.
• Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, challenge, enjoyment or to evaluate those weaknesses to assist in removing them.
• Maybe we can say a hacker is a “clever programmer“. Because a real hacker always enjoys learning details of a programming language or system. Because they love doing programming rather than theorizing it.

So from the above point, it’s clear that a hacker must need an operating system that provides the maximum security to test their skills and one which makes them more secure to do their activities on it.

So which is the favourite operating system of hackers:

Do Windows or Mac provide that kind of features?

Of course not they are busy spying their users. So whats hackers’ next choice — Yes! definitely Linux. So, that’s why real hackers prefer Linux — to test their programming skills in a secure environment.

Now how to become a hacker?

Hacking is an art mixed with knowledge and dedication. So if any one asks me :

“How can I become a hacker?”

The answer is one simply can’t become a hacker :

• You must know to learn how to program — Important programming languages for hackers.
• Next master in Linux kernel: learn how to use Linux.
• Learn how to use the World Wide Web and write HTML.

If you like to learn how to use Linux without loosing Windows, then go for dual booting. Dual booting means installing two operating system, here Linux and Windows, which works independently in same PC.

I think dual booting may help beginners who like to become hacker to enter the Linux world without leaving Windows.

Checkout one example — How to dual boot Kali Linux and Windows.

Also checkout — 5 things to do before dual booting Linux with Windows.

Again back to why real hackers prefer Linux distro:

All types of hackers or hacking groups like Anonymous, Lizard Squad, etc uses Linux for hacking purposes. These hackers Linux choice clearly says the power of Linux over the world. Apart from hacking Linux also powers almost all supercomputers running today.

Why Real Hackers Prefer Linux Over Other OS?

1. Open Source

Do hackers use windows ?, Do hackers use a mac ? – No, real hackers use Linux because Linux is a free and open-source software development and distribution.

What’s open-source software? — software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified.

Having a Linux distribution is like having a fully controlled personal OS. Because Linux source code is at your fingertips as you can easily modify the source code of Linux distro according to your need and also the most of the applications that run on this operating system are also of open source which makes more benefit. Neither Windows nor Mac gives you this type of power as Linux provides.

2. Don’t need to restart periodically

After a software installation or after a Windows update your PC always asks to restart to make it fully functional.  Hackers didn’t use that type of OS which requires a frequent reboot after each software installation.

So hackers choose Linux which doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels.

3. Normal system configuration

System configuration is not a big deal in Linux, you can run Linux on any computer — from a low-cost PC to a supercomputer. Laptops/PC which is available today with normal system configuration is good to run a Linux distro.

4. Don’t freeze up or slows down due to memory leaks

This will be a notable feature of Linux. Another reason why hackers use Linux is unlike Windows or Mac, Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels, and also it doesn’t freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such things.

5. Portable

Another plus point of using Linux is its portability. One can use Linux distros along with Windows or Mac or any other OS without being installed. Yes, Linux always with you where ever you go 🙂

Because almost all Linux distro have Live booting feature. So you can get into any PC without installing Linux into it. You just need a downloaded Linux distro ISO file stored in your USB flash drive or CD/DVD.

6. Easy & fast installation

May be difficult for beginners.

For hackers, Linux is handy — because hackers always switch their OS occasionally and Linux distros are always easy to install. And Linux installs faster than other operating systems.  Also, the boot time of this operating system is faster than some of the operating system.

7. Compatibility

Linux distros support all the Unix software packages and can support all the common file formats in it. Even you can run Windows software with the help of a good emulator.

8. Multitasking

Linux is designed to do many things at the same time. Unlike Windows it won’t hang up or slow down other works while copying or transferring files from your PC — and also, many much more work can easily be done on it without disturbing any primary processes.

9. Network Friendliness

The Linux is open-source and contributed by the team over the internet network, hence it very effectively manages to network over it and it also provides many libraries and commands that can be used to test network penetrations. Also, this operating system is more reliable and makes network backup faster than any other operating system.

10. Privacy & Security

Did you ever wonder why Linux doesn’t requires an antivirus software ?

We all use an additional antivirus program along with pre-installed Windows Defender — Why ? Because we don’t trust Windows inbuilt antivirus. So we are concerned about our online security.

On the other hand Linux doesn’t requires an antivirus because Linux is the most secure OS as it has very fewer vulnerabilities.

And the next important feature is Linux comes along with security and privacy — every hacker likes to remains in the dark, so being anonymous is an important agenda for every hacker. And with the help of some tools in Linux, a hacker can completely remain under the hood.

Yes — now you will say — it is also possible in Windows by using a good VPN service. But the truth is even if you use a good VPN you can’t hide away from Windows spying eyes.

So these are some reasons why Linux used for hacking. If you really want to become an ethical hacker uninstall your Windows and install a good advanced hacking Operating System or simply dual boot hacking Linux distro with Windows.

If you know any other reason — why hackers love Linux, please let us know.