Kali Linux is a distribution especially aimed at penetration testing and network security applications. (It's a successor to Backtrack Linux.)

Kali isn't intended as a general-purpose desktop OS for end users. Instead, it's a collection of useful tools for monitoring, exploring, and attacking networks. It comes out of the box with tools like Wireshark, nmap, and Aircrack-ng, and is particularly useful in situations where you just want a disposable machine/installation with some network tools.

Enter the Raspberry Pi: Cheap, portable, low-power, and easy to customize. There's been a lot of interest in using small ARM boxes like the Pi with Kali, and it's well-supported by the maintainers.

Since the Raspberry Pi 2 was released, we've gotten a series of requests for help with getting PiTFT displays to work with Kali on the Pi 2. This guide explains how to do that, and includes a kernel package built with both our PiTFT configuration and the patches applied for a standard Kali Linux build.

Three guidelines for using these tools:

1. Be good to other people: Don't violate people's privacy, steal their resources, or break their networks.
2. Do the reading: Learn the purposes and effects of your tools.
3. Remember that even considered, ethical use of the tools on networks you don't own can be received badly by authorities, or violate some broadly-written laws.

If you're new to topics like pentesting, start by exploring networks you own or have sanctioned access to.

You'll need the following:

• A Raspberry Pi or Pi 2 (this guide is intended for the Pi 2, but may be of use to others)
• An SD card appropriate for your hardware, 4 gigs or larger
• A network connection on the Pi
• PiTFT Plus (best for use with the Pi 2 and Pi A+ or B+)
• PiTFT original (best used with the Pi 1 model B)

This guide assumes some experience with GNU/Linux systems, and relies heavily on the command line.