Re: Penetration Test Hardware Vendor

[Kyle Maxwell <krmaxwell () gmail com>]

On 5/12/05, amoeba <amoeba () amoebazone com> wrote:
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dan Berberich [mailto:dan.berberich () gmail com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 4:47 AM
> > To: pen-test () securityfocus com
> > Subject: ISO: Penetration Test Hardware Vendor
> >
> > All - I'm looking to find if anyone makes specific hardware for
> > penetration testing. Specifically a laptop. I already know that the 'more
> > is the better' in configuring a COTS machine, but I'm looking to see if
> > anyone makes one already 'tricked-out' so to say. I'm not looking for
> > advice on specs, I can pretty much guess that (ie - as much RAM and
> > fastest processor as you can squeeze into a tiny box, oh and the biggest
> > HD possible, yeah and a 1600x1200 ...).
>
> It sounds like you mean you want a pre-installed OS with penetration testing
> and auditing tools? You may want to look into some of the security-oriented
> linux distros which may suit your needs. They would provide you with the
> "tricked-out" tools and, in the case of the Live CD distros, wouldn't
> necessarily need to replace your existing daily-use OS of choice. Some of
> the more security-focused distributions are quite well put together with a
> full complement of forensics, pen-test, and auditing tools.
> Check out:
>
> http://distrowatch.com/search.php?category=Forensics&origin=All&basedon=All&;
> desktop=All&architecture=All&status=Active
>
> Also,
>
> http://biatchux.dmzs.com/ F.I.R.E - the Forensic and Incident Response
> Environment Live CD distro.

For live CDs for pen-testing, Security Focus has a recent article at
http://securityfocus.com/columnists/323 that lists some more.

I think the OP was talking about the hardware itself, though. Most any
laptop will do, though I suggest a wireless card with a chipset that
will work with the tools you want to use. RAM is useful in general,
but I don't know that pen-testing has particular needs. CPU is nice if
you're doing password cracking. In general, anything that will run
your OS of choice (probably Linux or OpenBSD for this sort of
application) will do what you need. I like Thinkpads because they've
really reliable for me in the past, and the newer Dells seem to be a
lot better, but YMMV.

-- 
Kyle Maxwell
http://caffeinatedsecurity.com
[krmaxwell () gmail com]