Pentesting with Kali by David Santo Orcero
Hi everybody, hope you are doing great!!
I'm really happy to share my thoughts on "Pentesting with Kali" (my very first book in cyber security) by the Spanish author David Santo Orcero. This review is remade from the first review I did a few years ago (2019), and it was also my first book review (I know, too much 'first'!), so keep that in mind when reading this review.
You can found the book here: http://www.pentestingconkali.com/ (I couldn't find the english version, but it should be there somewhere for sure). And if you want to know more about the author: http://www.peritoeninformatica.pro/
Initial Impressions
Upon first glance, one might expect a dense, deep hard to digest book. Yet, "Pentesting con Kali" manages to convey a lot of information in just 300 pages—a surprise to those expecting a heavier volume (of course, focus on beginner).
Book Overview
The book spans 11 chapters, covering penetration testing phases, Kali distributions, web audits, an introduction to Metasploit, and more. It touches on a pentester's value, legal warnings, monetizing skills, and offers a deeply personal take on productivity and efficiency.
Content Depth and Utilization
While the book provides a broad overview, it notably includes up to four pages of screenshots for certain tools, which, given the book's brevity, suggests an opportunity for deeper online supplementary resources.
Enhancing the Learning Experience
A potential improvement could involve the author's website offering tutorial videos, maximizing the book's limited physical space to expand on tools or processes.
Personal Highlights and Insights
- Phases of a Penetration Test: The book excels in concisely explaining the different phases of a pentest, offering clarity and insight in just a few pages.
- Legal Warnings: Chapter 9 dives into the ethical use of pentesting tools, illustrating how mere possession of Kali Linux can present risks, and offers practical advice for mitigating potential legal issues.
- Life Beyond Pentesting: Perhaps the most intriguing aspect is the author's personal approach to life and productivity, sharing methods for a balanced and efficient lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
"Pentesting con Kali" is a must-read for newcomers to cybersecurity, offering a concise yet comprehensive guide to the essentials of pentesting with Kali Linux. While seasoned professionals might find the content a review, the book's structure and additional resources encourage further exploration and learning.
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thank you y GRAN SALUDO to my very first cybersecurity teacher, master, and Miyagi - Matías Sliafertas from the Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN) for his support, encouragement, and constructive feedback. Your guidance and your passion to share and teach has been invaluabl and a really good way to start learning information security.
And of course, thank you for reading and for share this time with me! I'm eager to hear your thoughts and other book recommendations! Let's keep pushing, learning and giving something to the cybersec community together!