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NetHydra

Debian-based pentest distro running a real-time (PREEMPT_RT) kernel by default

general-purposebased on DebianRed Team

NetHydra has no official, structured tool listing we can auto-sync (unlike Kali, BlackArch, REMnux, and Tails). The tools below are maintained by hand and may be incomplete or outdated — check the official docs for the current tool set.

Official docs ↗Download ↗

Last verified September 5, 2026

NetHydra is a Debian-based penetration-testing distro whose main distinguishing feature — a real-time kernel — sets it apart from the Kali/Parrot/BlackArch family it otherwise resembles in scope and tool categories.

Use it only against systems/networks you own or are explicitly authorized to test — see the disclaimer.

Notable bundled toolsmanually maintained

autopsy

Graphical interface to SleuthKit

binwalk

Tool library for analyzing binary blobs and executable code

ghidra

Software Reverse Engineering Framework

radare2

Free and advanced command line hexadecimal editor

Volatility Framework

Memory forensics tool and framework.

wireshark

Network traffic analyzer - graphical interface

Getting started

NetHydra (formerly HydraPWK) ships as a live/installable ISO with an Xfce desktop. Its defining feature is running a PREEMPT_RT real-time Linux kernel by default, aimed at timing-sensitive testing work where a standard kernel's scheduling jitter matters. Tools are organized into desktop-menu categories (information gathering, scanning, stress testing, exploitation, cracking, reverse engineering, forensics) rather than a structured, linkable manifest.