Penetration Testing mailing list archives

Re: ideal OS distro for network scanning?


From: Pete Herzog <lists () isecom org>
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2006 19:41:45 +0100

Well the most secure OS is going to be the one that you patch and update

Actually, the most secure OS is the one that has no services (and definitely not something I would recommend for an attack server by the way) and really it has nothing to do with patching. Relying on patching to keep your client's data safe is ignoring that zero-days exist and not being prepared for the unexpected. More actually, security for an attack server is counter-intuitive as it adds baggage to the speed, accuracy, and reliability of each packet sent and received. It's not a good idea to have any firewall or such rules running on the attack server itself as you will limit yourself. Like Hollywood teaches up-and-coming starlets, "Don't invite but don't restrict." ;)

Sincerely,
-pete.
www.isecom.org, www.osstmm.org, www.opst.org, www.isestorm.org

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