Your Cyber Security Student Toolkit
Professional / Certification • Linux
Networking, security labs, forensics and programming tools for cyber security students.
Who this toolkit is for
For cyber security students. Everything here is for education, authorised labs and defensive security. You don't need Kali Linux as your main operating system: running it in a virtual machine is common for practicals.
Choose any modules to see the tools for them. Without a module, module tools appear under Specialist / Optional.
Use security tools only in authorised labs and on systems you own or have permission to test. You don't need Kali Linux as your main operating system: many courses run it in a virtual machine for practicals.
Essential (5)
Core tools that are broadly useful.
Network Analysis
Security starts with understanding normal traffic. These tools let you see and map what is on a network in your lab.
WiresharkOpen Source
Why you may need this: Useful for learning how network traffic and protocols work and for analysing traffic in authorised lab environments.
APT (verified)sudo apt install wireshark
Linux / Virtualisation
Most security modules expect you to run Linux and several machines at once. Virtual machines make that possible on one computer and let you reset after every exercise.
VirtualBoxOpen Source
Why you may need this: Run a safe, isolated lab of virtual machines, such as Kali Linux, for practicals.
View official installation instructions
Programming
Scripting turns repetitive tasks into tools. Python is the language most security courses use.
Research / Citation
Reports and dissertations need properly referenced sources; a reference manager saves hours.
Office / Documents
Coursework, lab write-ups and reports.
LibreOfficeOpen Source
Why you may need this: A free office suite for essays, spreadsheets and presentations.
APT (verified)sudo apt install libreoffice
Recommended (3)
Useful for particular parts of the work or course.
Network Analysis
Security starts with understanding normal traffic. These tools let you see and map what is on a network in your lab.
NmapOpen Source
Why you may need this: Learn network discovery on lab networks you're authorised to scan.
APT (verified)sudo apt install nmap
Programming
Scripting turns repetitive tasks into tools. Python is the language most security courses use.
Specialist / Optional · Show specialist tools (2)
Consider these for particular modules, tasks or environments.
Security Monitoring
Defenders detect attacks from logs and network alerts; these are the kinds of tools used in security operations work.
- Velociraptor
Open Source
Why you may need this: Collect endpoint evidence in lab exercises.
For the Incident Response module
View official installation instructions - Sysmon
Free
Why you may need this: Log Windows activity for detection exercises.
For the Incident Response module
View official installation instructions
Notes for Cyber Security students
At college level, the focus is usually on understanding networks and safe computing practice, so packet analysis, virtualisation and a programming language are the priorities. At undergraduate level, modules typically add web application security, digital forensics and security monitoring, which is where the lab tools above come in. Postgraduate and professional-certification study often assumes you already run your own lab; the home lab guide on Aptorise walks through setting one up.
Platform matters more on this course than most. Many security tools are built for Linux first, so most students run Linux in a virtual machine whatever their main computer is. Windows and Intel Macs can run VirtualBox; on Apple Silicon Macs, virtual machines need Arm versions of operating systems, so check that the images your course uses are available for Arm. Some universities provide hosted lab environments, which avoids the problem entirely.
Every tool here is for learning on systems you own or are authorised to test. Scanning, capturing or attacking anything outside your own lab or a course-provided environment can break the law and university rules.
Course requirements vary. Software requirements differ between schools, colleges, universities and modules. Check your course materials before purchasing software.
Build your student setup
Build My Setup lets you add or remove apps, see why each is included and, where verified packages exist, get one install command. Nothing is installed automatically.