Top 10 hacking tools for 2021

top 10 hacking tools from securityfocal

Welcome to our list of top 10 hacking tools. As a security researcher, Pen Tester, or a Red Teamer, many times you find roadblocks and need some handy, ready-to-use tools to move to the next step. In this section, we have compiled the key tools which we found most valuable.

Before you continue reading, please be noted that the hacking tools listed here are for research and pen-testing purposes and some of the tools mentioned below may be illegal in your country.

Please check your local laws and make sure you are using them for the legitimate and intended purpose. The use of these gadgets for any illegal activities makes you a Cybercriminal, and will eventually get you in serious trouble with law enforcement agencies.

1. Raspberry Pi 4

Raspberry Pi tops our list for the top 10 hacking tools for 2021. Raspberry Pi a Portable Credit Card Size Single Board Computer. It also includes USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wifi, and HDMI ports. 

Why should you use it? Well, it can run a number of hacking tools, which makes it great no matter what your hacking goals are.

Pricing

Raspberry Pi is available just for 75 USD.

Well, the most interesting thing is, that despite its size, it does not lack anywhere in the punches it offers.

Specifications

  • Quad-Core 64-bit Broadcom 2711, Cortex A72 Processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • WLAN 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2,4 + 5,0 GHz)
  • LAN RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbit (Gigabit LAN over USB 3.0)
  • Operating Power 5V@3A via USB Type-C port
  • Dual-Display Micro HDMI Ports which supports H 265 Decode for 4K Video @60p

It supports a number of operating systems including:

  • Raspberry PI OS
  • Kali Linux
  • LibreElec
  • Ubuntu distribution including Desktop, Server, and Core
  • RetroPi
  • TLXOS

Primary Uses and Applications

Following are the primary usage of Raspberry Pi for Security Professionals:

  • Portable WIFI Hacking Device
  • WIFI Hacking Tools such as aircrack-ng and bettercap can be used for hacking WIFI networks
  • Portable Hacking Station
  • Kali-NetHunter OS can be used as a portable hacking OS
  • Hosting CTF 

But this is not all, with a computer this size, the possibilities are endless. If you have not used it to date, we highly recommend that you do it right away to explore what it can do for you.

2. NodeMCU Development kit

NodeMcu is an open-source firmware and development kit that helps you to build your IoT product. However, as you could have imagined, we can use it for many other interesting things which we are going to talk about shortly.

Pricing

Easy on your pocket and will only cost you $2 if not less.

Specifications

Have a quick look at the specifications of NodeMCU ESP8266 as following:

  • 2.4 GHz WIFI Card
  • 32-bit Microcontroller
  • 32 KiB instruction, 80 KiB user data
  • Input 17 GPIO pins
  • 3.3 V DC

It supports Mongoose OS.

Primary Uses and Applications

A lot of interesting use cases including but not limited to the following:

  • WIFI Deauth Program can be used to Disconnect WIFI User From Connecting to the Router
  • Fake WIFI Access point can be used to intercept WIFI Requests
  • Keylogger programs can be used to make it as a Hardware Keylogger Device

3. Software Defined Radio (SDR)

RTL-SDR (or HackRF, Hak5 1707) is a USB dongle that can be used as a computer-based radio scanner for receiving live radio signals in your area without the need for the Internet.

Pricing

Very reasonably priced at less than $25 per USB dongle

Specifications

Depending on the particular model, it could receive frequencies from 500 kHz up to 1.75 GHz. It supports the following type of bands:

  • AM
  • FM (NFM,WFM)
  • CW
  • DSB
  • LSB
  • USB

It supports DragonOS_LTS. Also, it’s worth mentioning that most software for the RTL-SDR is also community developed, and offered free of charge.

Primary Uses and Applications

  • Walkie Talkie Voice Communication can be Monitored whether it’s Encrypted or Unencrypted
  • Can be used For Satellite Communication For Hacking by using External Satellite Antenna With SDR
  • Receiving Decoded Data Over Radio Frequency

4. WIFI Pineapple Mark VII

This hacking tool is from Hak5. It’s a WIFI Pentesting platform that is widely respected. It can automate pentest and provide you with in-depth reports. Interactive recon puts you in command of the airspace, and a complement of dedicated radios provides enterprise-grade results. 

Pricing

It will cost you around $100

Primary Uses and Applications

  • Perform advanced man-in-the-middle attacks by thoroughly mimicking preferred networks
  • Gather intelligence, including what other networks the targets have connected
  • Completely visualizes the WiFi landscape with continuous, live passive monitoring
  • Capture WPA and WPA Enterprise credentials in pcap, hashcat, JTR, or plaintext formats

5. Alfa AC1900 wifi adapter

Well, this is not your standard external network wifi adaptor. You can do a lot more with it in conjunction with the likes of Kali Linux. It supports monitoring, packet injection, and managed mode and can be connected with external antenna connectors.

You may like to go with two of them as that will be required for some of the Pentests/attacks. It works well with Debian OS and with virtual environments.

Pricing

It’s reasonably priced for around $65.

Specifications

  • Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/a/n/g/b
  • Interface: USB 3.0
  • Wireless data rate: 2.4GHz [up to 600Mbps] & 5GHz [up to 1300Mbps]
  • Wireless frequency: 2.4GHz/ 5GHz
  • Wireless security: WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA/PSK, WPA2-PSK
  • Operation temp: 0-40°C
  • Operating systems: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 32/64bit, MacOS 10.12 supported, Linux kernel 3.0 supported

Usage and Applications

  • Can be used for WIFI Pen-testing and password cracking
  • For creating Man in the Middle attack access point

6. On-Board Diagnostics (ODB2) adapter

Modern vehicles use different communication protocols which are incompatible with standard protocols like RS-232, USB, and so on. Using the ODB2 Adapter, you can connect to the car computer and send and receive controls.

This is one of the core hacking tools for Vehicles and is similar in operation to a computer modem or a gateway, in that it translates messages from one protocol to another.

Embedded computer systems in vehicles typically support the following functions:

  • Regulate fuel injectors.
  • Control the spark plugs.
  • Adapt the idle speed
  • Notify the driver of a problem with the “Check Engine” light
  • Monitor the ignition system.
  • Deliver electrical commands to the transmission and camshaft systems.

Pricing

Depending on the OEM, it may cost you between $50 to $100.

Specifications

It May differ for different manufacturers

Primary Uses and Applications

  • Pentesting, or modifying vehicle computer program
  • Remote vehicle Controlling
  • It can also be used to track Vehicle location(s) and Vehicle data

7. Key Croc by Hak5

Key Croc is an external hacking tool, which can be used to intercept keyboard data. It can not only log keys but is also armed with pentest tools, remote access, and payloads that trigger multi-vector attacks when chosen keywords are typed.

Pricing

The device is priced around $100

Primary Usage & Applications

  • Capturing Keyword Stroke
  • Pre Programmable Malicious Keyword Stroke
  • Remote Keyboard Input

8. Ubertooth One external bluetooth adapter

The Ubertooth One is an open source test tool for Bluetooth Testing. It is a fully open source product (both hardware and software).
One thing that sets the Ubertooth apart is the capability of not only sending and receiving 2.4 GHz signals, but it can also operate in the monitor mode, monitoring Bluetooth traffic in real-time. Also, since it’s a fully open-source platform (software and hardware), the schematics and code can be modified for your testing and hacking requirements.

Pricing

The device is priced around $120

Primary Uses & Applications

  • Hacking into devices that support Bluetooth
  • Disconnecting Bluetooth Speaker
  • It can also be used as a Bluetooth signal jammer

9. Keysy RFID duplicator

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID Tags are NFC (near field communication) devices that can be used as storage devices. An RFID Copier is a device that enables you to copy RFID keycards and keyfobs.

Pricing

It is available for around $40

Specifications

  • Allows the user to copy up to (4) RFID credentials (125kHz).
  • It can then emulate these credentials when placed in front of RFID reader
  • ONLY duplicates onto Keysy branded rewritable  keycards/keyfobs (One Included)
  • Additional rewritable keyfobs sold separately

Primary Uses and Applications

  • RFID Tags Cloning
  • Intercepting RFID Data Tags

10. Plunder Bug lan tap

Another hacking tool from Hak 5 made it to our list of hacking tools. Plunder Bug is a pocket-sized LAN Tap that lets you “bug” Ethernet connections with USB-C convenience.

Coupled with cross-platform scripts for Windows, Mac, and Linux – or an Android root app – this smart network sniffer enables passive recording or active scanning.

Pricing

The device is available for around $69.99

Specifications

  • Auto negotiating 10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet
  • ASIX AX88772C USB Ethernet Chipset
  • USB-C Tap/Power port (5V, 20-300mA draw)
  • Complimentary Android app for select root devices
  • Connection scripts for Windows, Mac & Linux

Primary Uses and Applications

  • It’s a packet sniffer which can be used to sniff packets from any environment
  • With a Plunder Bug and the root Android app, you can record and share packets in standard pcap format right from a compatible smartphone.

If you think we’ve missed any devices, tell us about it in the comments section and tell us, why you think they should be on this list.

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