Well, here is my collection of liveCDs
The main advantage of live CD is that you can use it anytime on (almost )
any computer without installing the operation system on HD and when you finish
just take off CD and leave the computer as it was before without any changes made.
It is a nice solution for those who still use Windows and want to try Linux .
1. Knoppix : Hardware and software compability checking
www.knopper.net
Knoppix is a full functional operation system that comes on CD or DVD and the files are compressed
then it was possible to gather over 8 GB data on 4,7 DVD with almost all useful linux programs.
You can use it for everyday work & games , and for trying various programs without installing them on your computer.
It is a convenient tool for testing a computer before buying it.
Today many Linux distros include liveCD , then you can try as well Ubuntu , Suse ,PClinuxOS and the others,
but Knoppix and Slax were designed especially to work on CD.
2. Backtrack : Penetration testing
www.remote-exploit.org
Backtrack is a leader of security Cd's as it has almost constantly updated
more than 300 various tools for net discovery and analysis with special attention to
wireless and bluetooth subjects.
To name just a few tools Aircrack,Metasploit,John,Wireshark.. and many more.
The other distributions : Protech, nUbuntu,Wifislax,grml...
3. OWASP LabRat : Testing & training
www.owasp.org
The live CD is still beta version but offers unique Java programs
for WEB analysis, and lessons how to check WEB sities vulnerabilities
The programs are : WebGoat, WebScarab , Paros, CAL9000...
Another CD designed for vulnerability tests is DVL on DVL
4. Helix : Forensic analisys
www.e-fense.com
It is specially prepared for fixed or removable discs analysis without altering any data on them.
The court can use Helix to find the data on a criminal's hard disc for the crime evidence.
It works both as a standalone system , and also , when you run Windows after inserting Helix into the CD station
you have the access to some Window's recovery tools on CD.
Manuals of data analysis are included on the CD.
The main forensic programs on Helix are Sleuth Kit, Autopsy, dd
There are also commercial products EnCase and Access Data's UTK CD's.
5. Ophcrack : Cracking
ophcrack.sourceforge.net
This live CD is made for one purpose : to crack Windows passwords using Rainbow Tables.
There is a commercial and a free version.
Vista ready.
6. SystemRescueCd : Rescue & backup
www.sysreccd.org
When something goes wrong with your system you can boot it from a rescue disc,
or you can use system rescue CD.
It supports various Windows and Linux filesystems with NTFS ,RAID, LVM
includes various tools to resize , partition or recover data from almost any disc.
Other CDs are : Rescue CD , BartPE (Windows based)
Enjoy!
