• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
Log In
Join for Free
Coursera
IBM
Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews
  1. Browse
  2. Information Technology
  3. Security
IBM

Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux

This course is part of IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Professional Certificate

IBM Skills Network Team
Dee Dee Collette

Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team

Instructors

IBM Skills Network Team
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM
82 Courses•1,392,438 learners
Dee Dee Collette
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
10 Courses•614,053 learners

1,720 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(16 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Intermediate level

Experience with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(16 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Intermediate level

Experience with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Job-ready skills to effectively use Kali Linux security and penetration testing tools for ethical hacking in just 5 weeks

  • Perform penetration tests using Kali Linux, applying various tools and techniques to assess vulnerabilities in controlled environments

  • Configure virtual machines and customize Kali Linux security tools to create safe, efficient, and adaptable testing environments

  • Automate maintenance, security, and penetration tasks using command-line tools and scripting to optimize system performance and security

Skills you'll gain

  • Automation
  • Virtual Machines
  • Network Monitoring
  • System Configuration
  • Bash (Scripting Language)

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

May 2025

Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business
 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your Security expertise

This course is part of the IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Professional Certificate
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate from IBM

There are 5 modules in this course

Kali Linux is the go-to operating system for penetration testers, ethical hackers, and security professionals. This course blends cybersecurity knowledge with practical applications to give you the job-ready skills you need to use Kali Linux effectively in just 5 weeks!

Ethical hackers—also known as “white hat” hackers—test systems and networks to uncover vulnerabilities. They often use Kali Linux to conduct network monitoring, penetration testing, and security auditing, as it provides hundreds of pre-installed tools to practice reconnaissance and analysis. During the course, you’ll get an overview of the Kali Linux operating system and learn how to install and configure it. You’ll then dive into automation options, explore both Bash and Python scripting languages, and discover how to customize configurations to meet your specific needs. To get the most from the course, foundational cybersecurity knowledge is required. Our Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone and Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialization provide the ideal grounding. If you’re looking to leverage the power of Kali Linux in your ethical hacking career, enroll today!

This module will kickstart your cybersecurity journey by helping you master the essentials of Kali Linux, the go-to platform for penetration testing. In this module, you’ll explore its architecture, install and configure Kali Linux in a virtualized environment, and learn best practices for optimizing your setup. Dive into securing your system by hardening Kali Linux, protecting your home lab, and utilizing built-in tools for system protection. Through hands-on activities and optional labs, you’ll gain practical experience in installation, configuration, and security. Finally, you’ll have a secure, fully functional Kali Linux environment ready for advanced tasks.

What's included

6 videos6 readings3 assignments7 plugins

6 videos•Total 39 minutes
  • Course Introduction•6 minutes•Preview module
  • Intro to Kali Linux•6 minutes
  • Kali Linux: Installation and Setup•5 minutes
  • Securing Kali Linux•6 minutes
  • Best Practices for Securing Your Home Lab•8 minutes
  • Kali Linux Tools for System Protection•5 minutes
6 readings•Total 68 minutes
  • Course Overview•3 minutes
  • Before you Begin your Kali Linux Journey•1 minute
  • Summary and Highlights: Exploring Kali Linux•2 minutes
  • Hands-On Lab: Hardening Kali Linux - Part 1•40 minutes
  • Hands-On Lab: Hardening Kali Linux - Part 2•20 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Hardening Kali Linux•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Overview of Kali Linux•21 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Exploring Kali Linux•6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Hardening Kali Linux•6 minutes
7 plugins•Total 46 minutes
  • Reading: Helpful Tips for Course Completion•1 minute
  • Reading: Guide to Setting up VirtualBox•5 minutes
  • Reading: Best Practices for Installing and Configuring Kali Linux•10 minutes
  • Activity: Exploring Kali Linux•15 minutes
  • Reading: Best Practices for Securing Kali Linux•5 minutes
  • Reading: System Protection Tools for Kali Linux•5 minutes
  • Cheat Sheet: Overview of Kali Linux•5 minutes

In this module, you’ll dive deep into the powerful cybersecurity tools included in Kali Linux, gaining hands-on experience in investigation, exploitation, and penetration testing. You’ll explore tools for information gathering, forensics, and vulnerability analysis, enabling you to identify and assess security risks effectively. Additionally, you’ll learn to use exploitation tools, perform sniffing and spoofing attacks, and discover the capabilities of Kali NetHunter for mobile penetration testing. Through hands-on activities, you’ll practice using these tools in real-world scenarios, including optional labs for advanced exploration. By the end of this module, you’ll have the skills to investigate vulnerabilities, exploit security weaknesses, and leverage Kali Linux’s tools to strengthen your cybersecurity expertise.

What's included

6 videos2 readings3 assignments8 plugins

6 videos•Total 43 minutes
  • Information Gathering with Kali Linux•8 minutes•Preview module
  • Forensics with Kali Linux•7 minutes
  • Vulnerability Analysis with Kali Linux•7 minutes
  • Exploitation with Kali Linux•7 minutes
  • Sniffing and Spoofing with Kali Linux•6 minutes
  • Kali NetHunter•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 5 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Kali Linux Tools for Investigation•3 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Kali Linux Tools for Exploitation and Penetration Testing•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Kali Linux Tools•21 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Kali Linux Tools for Investigation•6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Kali Linux Tools for Exploitation and Penetration Testing•6 minutes
8 plugins•Total 103 minutes
  • Reading: Kali Linux Tools: Information Gathering•15 minutes
  • Reading: Kali Linux Tools: Forensics•10 minutes
  • Reading: Kali Linux Tools: Vulnerability Analysis•5 minutes
  • Lab: Information Gathering Using Kali Linux Tools•45 minutes
  • Reading: Kali Linux Tools: Exploitation•10 minutes
  • Reading: Kali Linux Tools: Sniffing and Spoofing•5 minutes
  • Reading: Kali Linux Tools: Kali NetHunter•10 minutes
  • Cheat Sheet: Kali Linux Tools•3 minutes

In this module, you’ll unlock the full potential of Kali Linux by learning to automate tasks and customize tools using scripting. You’ll start with the basics of Python and Bash, two powerful scripting languages, and gain hands-on experience writing scripts to automate maintenance and security tasks. You’ll also learn to write basic scripts, automate security workflows, and modify existing Kali Linux tools to suit your needs. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create Python scripts for security automation, write Bash scripts for system maintenance, and customize Kali Linux tools to enhance their functionality. These skills will empower you to streamline your workflows and tackle complex cybersecurity challenges with efficiency and precision.

What's included

6 videos2 readings3 assignments5 app items7 plugins

6 videos•Total 41 minutes
  • Overview of Scripting and Automation•8 minutes•Preview module
  • Overview of Python•5 minutes
  • Writing and Executing Simple Scripts with Python•7 minutes
  • Overview of Bash•5 minutes
  • Writing and Executing Simple Scripts with Bash•6 minutes
  • Modifying Security Tools•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 4 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Scripting with Python•2 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Scripting with Bash•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Scripting and Automation•21 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Scripting with Python•6 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Scripting with Bash•6 minutes
5 app items•Total 225 minutes
  • Lab: Write a Basic Script with Python•45 minutes
  • Lab: Write a Basic Maintenance Script Using Python•45 minutes
  • Lab: Writing a Basic Script with Bash•45 minutes
  • Lab: Write a Basic Security Script Using Bash•45 minutes
  • Lab: Modify an Existing Security Tool•45 minutes
7 plugins•Total 28 minutes
  • Reading: Guide: Installing Python•5 minutes
  • Reading: Python Syntax, Variables, and Control Structures•5 minutes
  • Reading: Automating Security Scripts•5 minutes
  • Reading: A Guide to Installing Bash•2 minutes
  • Reading: Bash Syntax, Variables, and Control Structures•3 minutes
  • Automating Maintenance Tasks•5 minutes
  • Cheat Sheet: Scripting and Automation•3 minutes

In this module, you’ll apply your knowledge and hands-on skills from the course by completing a final project. You’ll tackle real-world tasks, including planning, developing, and testing a custom script to automate a common cybersecurity or maintenance task. This project will challenge you to integrate scripting, tool customization, and automation techniques you’ve learned, showcasing your ability to solve practical problems efficiently. By the end, you’ll have a functional script and a deeper understanding of how automation can streamline workflows in cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment2 app items1 plugin

2 videos•Total 7 minutes
  • Course Wrap-Up •2 minutes•Preview module
  • Professional Certificate Overview: Ethical Hacking Using Open-Source•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 2 minutes
  • Congratulations and Next Steps•1 minute
  • Team and Acknowledgments•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 45 minutes
  • Final Exam: Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux•45 minutes
2 app items•Total 105 minutes
  • Final Project: Perform Reconnaissance and Automate Tasks•60 minutes
  • Final Project Submission•45 minutes
1 plugin•Total 5 minutes
  • Final Project Overview•5 minutes

This module introduces you to the Linux operating system, a cornerstone of cybersecurity and ethical hacking. You’ll explore the architecture of Linux, understand the differences between popular distributions, and gain hands-on experience with the Linux Terminal. Learn essential commands for navigating files and directories, managing system information, and configuring access controls. Through interactive labs, you’ll practice browsing directories, managing file permissions, and implementing access controls, building a strong foundation for working in Linux environments. By the end of this module, you’ll be proficient in using the Linux Terminal and managing system resources effectively.

What's included

5 videos3 readings2 assignments3 app items6 plugins

5 videos•Total 28 minutes
  • Introducing Linux and Unix•5 minutes•Preview module
  • Overview of Linux Architecture•6 minutes
  • Linux Terminal Overview•6 minutes
  • Overview of Common Linux Shell Commands•6 minutes
  • File and Directory Navigation Commands•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 4 minutes
  • About this Optional Module•2 minutes
  • Summary and Highlights: Fundamentals of Linux Operating System•1 minute
  • Summary and Highlights: Navigating the Linux Operating System•1 minute
2 assignments•Total 20 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Fundamentals of Linux Operating System•10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Navigating the Linux Operating System•10 minutes
3 app items•Total 55 minutes
  • Hands on Lab: Getting Started with the Linux Terminal•15 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Navigating and Managing Files and Directories•30 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Access Control Commands•10 minutes
6 plugins•Total 19 minutes
  • Reading: Browsing Directories with the Linux Terminal•3 minutes
  • Reading: Linux Terminal Tips - Tab completion, command history•3 minutes
  • Cheat Sheet: Introduction to Linux•3 minutes
  • Reading: Getting Help for Linux Commands•3 minutes
  • Reading: Security: Managing File Permissions and Ownership•4 minutes
  • Cheat Sheet: Overview of the Linux Operating System •3 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

IBM Skills Network Team
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM
82 Courses•1,392,438 learners
Dee Dee Collette
Dee Dee Collette
IBM
10 Courses•614,053 learners

Offered by

IBM

Offered by

IBM

At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.

Explore more from Security

  • P

    Packt

    An Introduction to Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux

    Course

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    P

    Packt

    Ethical Hacking Foundations

    Course

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    B

    Board Infinity

    Kali Linux

    Course

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    P

    Packt

    The Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp: Beginner To Advanced

    Specialization

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

4.9

16 reviews

  • 5 stars

    84.21%

  • 4 stars

    15.78%

  • 3 stars

    0%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    0%

Showing 3 of 16

K
KC
5

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

This course structure helped me learn and understand the course material effectively and the course covered a wide range of topics, and the material was presented in a clear and logical manner.

View more reviews
Coursera Plus

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

Kali Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution built for cybersecurity tasks like ethical hacking and penetration testing. It’s popular because it comes preloaded with hundreds of tools, is regularly updated, and is trusted by security professionals worldwide.

Cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and IT teams use Kali Linux to test system security, find vulnerabilities, and practice real-world hacking techniques in safe environments. It’s also widely used by students learning ethical hacking.

Kali Linux offers an all-in-one toolkit for security testing, backed by a strong community and regular updates. It saves time, supports advanced testing workflows, and is trusted across the industry for hands-on security work.

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

  • The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.

  • The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policyOpens in a new tab.

More questions

Visit the learner help center

Financial aid available,

Coursera Footer

Technical Skills

  • ChatGPT
  • Coding
  • Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • DevOps
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Generative AI
  • Java Programming
  • Python
  • Web Development

Analytical Skills

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data
  • Business Analysis
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Science
  • Financial Modeling
  • Machine Learning
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • SQL

Business Skills

  • Accounting
  • Digital Marketing
  • E-commerce
  • Finance
  • Google
  • Graphic Design
  • IBM
  • Marketing
  • Project Management
  • Social Media Marketing

Career Resources

  • Essential IT Certifications
  • High-Income Skills to Learn
  • How to Get a PMP Certification
  • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
  • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
  • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
  • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
  • Career Development Resources
  • Career Aptitude Test
  • Share your Coursera Learning Story

Coursera

  • About
  • What We Offer
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Catalog
  • Coursera Plus
  • Professional Certificates
  • MasterTrack® Certificates
  • Degrees
  • For Enterprise
  • For Government
  • For Campus
  • Become a Partner
  • Social Impact
  • Free Courses
  • ECTS Credit Recommendations

Community

  • Learners
  • Partners
  • Beta Testers
  • Blog
  • The Coursera Podcast
  • Tech Blog

More

  • Press
  • Investors
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • Articles
  • Directory
  • Affiliates
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Manage Cookie Preferences
Learn Anywhere
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Logo of Certified B Corporation
© 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Coursera Facebook
  • Coursera Linkedin
  • Coursera Twitter
  • Coursera YouTube
  • Coursera Instagram
  • Coursera TikTok
Coursera

Welcome back

​
Your password is hidden
​

or

New to Coursera?


Having trouble logging in? Learner help center

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.