A Debian-based Linux distribution Parrot (formerly Parrot Security OS) essentially designed for penetration testing, computer forensics, reverse engineering, hacking, privacy, anonymity, and cryptography. The latest stable version of Parrot 4.7 is now ready to use.
As lead developer Lorenza Faletra mentioned in the announcement, the pentesting menu structure was re-factored and re-designed to make tools easier to access in a more logical hierarchical structure. Also, new tools were also added to Parrot 4.7 and continue to be added even more in the future. A set of tools that built up the pen-test system is ready to install for pen-testers.
In Parrot 4.7 the sandbox is disabled by default, and users can decide whether to start an application sandboxed or not. You can easily start the sandboxed version of an installed program from the /sandbox/ folder or from a dedicated menu that we plan to improve in the future, or you can re-enable it by default by using the firecfg tool.
In the announcement, Faletra also said that Parrot 4.7 Project is preparing to integrate a future LTS branch alongside the rolling branch in a similar way OpenSUSE does. He also added that there will be no change for the end-users.
Parrot 4.7 Project which comes with the latest MATE 1.22 desktop environment based on the Linux kernel 5.2, latest on the time of the release. You have the option to download either of the versions available on their web site: Security for the fully-fledged penetration testing environment, Home/Workstation version intended for daily GNU/Linux use, and other downloads intended to be used with Docker or ARM devices.
FAQ
What is the latest version of Parrot OS?
Parrot OS's latest version is Parrot OS 5.1and it was released on 29 September 2022.
Is Parrot OS illegal to use?
Using Parrot OS is not illegal. It is mostly used by ethical hackers for penetration tests to harden an organization's security. Utilizing Parrot tools with malicious intentions is illegal.
What is Parrot OS used for?
Parrot OS 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 Parrot OS easy to learn?
Parrot OS 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 there a Parrot OS alternative?
Kali Linux can be used as an alternative for Parrot OS.
What are the default username and password for Parrot OS?
The default username and password for Parrot OS is "user/toor".
Can I install Parrot OS on Windows?
You can install Parrot OS from Microsoft Store on Windows 10 after enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux. It is also possible to install Parrot OS on Windows by third-party virtual machine software such as VMWare and Virtual Box.
Can Parrot OS be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Parrot OS 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 Parrot OS 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 Parrot OS on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to create VM and install a Linux distro on VMWare Workstation
What desktop environment does Parrot OS use?
Parrot OS uses the MATE desktop environment as default. Users can change to Xfce or KDE Plasma during installation.
How many GB is Parrot OS?
Parrot OS has several editions with varying sizes between 100 MB and 4.2 GB.
Is Parrot OS good for daily and home use?
Parrot OS Home Edition is suitable for daily and home use. However, there are some other distributions delivering a better daily-usage experience.
Is Parrot OS illegal to use?
Using Parrot OS is not illegal. It is mostly used by ethical hackers for penetration tests to harden an organization's security. Utilizing Parrot tools with malicious intentions is illegal.