After launching the Kali Linux, 2021.2, the Kali Linux team announced the newest version of Kali Linux, 2021.3. The latest edition brings a mixture of new tools and enhancements of existing features.
The latest edition at a glance
Compared to the Kali Linux 2021.2, here are the critical changes in Kali Linux, 2021.3:
- OpenSSL – Wide compatibility by default – Keep reading for what that means
- New Kali-Tools site – Following the footsteps of Kali-Docs, Kali-Tools has had a complete refresh
- Better VM support in the Live image session – Copy & paste and drag & drop from your machine into a Kali VM by default
- New tools – From adversary emulation to subdomain takeover to Wi-Fi attacks
- Kali NetHunter smartwatch – first of its kind, for TicHunter Pro
- KDE 5.21 – Pl
OpenSSL has now been configured for wider compatibility to help increase Kali’s ability to talk to older. In addition, the kali team released the final version of the Kali-Tools site. As an improvement, Kali Linux, 2021.3. offers an experience smoother for those who run the Live image in virtualized environments.
Basic features like copy-paste and drag-drop between the host and the guest should now work out of the box. It also comes with an easy configuration for Hyper-V Enhanced Session Mode. Open kali-tweaks in a terminal, select Virtualization, and if Kali is running under Hyper-V, you’ll see a setting to turn on Hyper-V Enhanced Session Mode.
New tools in Kali
- Berate_ap – Orchestrating MANA rogue Wi-Fi Access Points
- CALDERA – Scalable automated adversary emulation platform
- EAPHammer – Targeted evil twin attacks against WPA2-Enterprise Wi-Fi networks
- HostHunter – Recon tool for discovering hostnames using OSINT techniques
- RouterKeygenPC – Generate default WPA/WEP Wi-Fi keys
- Subjack – Subdomain takeover
- WPA_Sycophant – Evil client portion of EAP relay attack
In addition to Kali NetHunter Updates, Kali ARM updates cover re-worked Kali ARM build scripts, resizing all images, regeneration of the default snakeoil cert, and more.
Kali Linux, 2021.3. got some changes in the desktop space, including:
- Improved GTK3 theme for Xfce’s notifications and logout-dialog
- Redesigned GTK2 theme for a better fit of older programs
- Improved Kali-Dark and Kali-Light syntax-highlighting themes for GNOME and Xfce
One of Kali’s popular desktops, KDE plasma, now includes version 5.21. This update brings an updated look, with a new application launcher and theme improvements.
- Also you can review a new version of KDE: KDE Plasma 5.22

Download Kali Linux 2021.3
- You can download Kali Linux 2021.3 from its official download page.
- To update Kali Linux 2021.2, you can visit here.
FAQ
What is the latest Kali Linux version?
The latest Kali Linux version is Kali Linux 2022.4 and it was released on 06 December 2022.
Is Kali Linux free?
Yes, Kali Linux is completely free to use.
Is Kali Linux illegal?
Using Kali Linux is not illegal. It is mostly used by ethical hackers for penetration tests to harden an organization’s security. Utilizing Kali Linux tools with malicious intentions is illegal.
Is Kali Linux free?
Yes, Kali Linux is completely free to use.
What is Kali Linux based on?
Kali Linux is based on Debian.
What is Kali Linux used for?
Kali Linux is used for performing penetration tests and it comes with several tools. Hackers also use the distribution to utilize its tools for malicious actions.
Is Kali Linux easy to learn?
Kali Linux is a normal Linux distribution, so it is not hard to learn for an average Linux user. However, learning to use the hacking tools requires expertise.
Is BackTrack and Kali Linux the same?
BackTrack and Kali Linux is the same distribution. The name of the distribution was changed in 2013.
Is there a Kali Linux alternative?
Parrot OS can be used as an alternative for Kali Linux.
What is the default username and password for Kali Linux 2023?
The default username and password for Kali Linux 2023 is “kali/kali“.
Can I install Kali Linux on Windows?
You can install Kali Linux from Microsoft Store on Windows 10 after enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux. It is also possible to install Kali Linux on Windows by third-party virtual machine software such as VMWare and Virtual Box.
What desktop environment does Kali Linux use?
Kali Linux uses the XFCE desktop environment as default. Users can change to GNOME Shel or KDE Plasma during installation.
How many GB is Kali Linux?
Kali Linux has several images with varying sizes between 2.3 GB and 9.4 GB as offline installers.
Can Kali Linux be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Kali Linux can be installed on a virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run an operating system within another operating system. This means that you can install Kali Linux on a virtual machine and run it on top of your current operating system, without the need to replace it or partition your hard drive. To install Kali Linux on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to create VM and install a Linux distro on VMWare Workstation