# BackTrack

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q319307](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319307)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BackTrack)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/backtrack

## Summary
BackTrack is a Linux distribution based on the Linux kernel and GNU components that was first published in 2006. It served as a specialized operating system for security tasks and auditing before being officially succeeded by Kali Linux in 2013.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Linux distribution (operating system)
- **Initial Publication:** 2006
- **Final Stable Version:** 5.0 R3 (released August 13, 2012)
- **Successor:** Kali Linux (released March 13, 2013)
- **License:** GNU General Public License
- **Official Website:** http://www.backtrack-linux.org
- **Primary Aliases:** Auditor, WHAX, Whoppix, and Midoflow
- **Instance Of:** Linux distribution

## FAQs
### Q: What is the relationship between BackTrack and Kali Linux?
A: BackTrack is the direct predecessor to Kali Linux. On March 13, 2013, the project transitioned to Kali Linux, which is a Debian-derived distribution designed to continue BackTrack's security-focused mission.

### Q: When was the last version of BackTrack released?
A: The final stable version, BackTrack 5.0 R3, was released on August 13, 2012. Following this release, the development team moved their efforts toward the inception of Kali Linux.

### Q: Is BackTrack open-source software?
A: Yes, BackTrack is released under the GNU General Public License, which allows for the free use and distribution of the operating system.

## Why It Matters
BackTrack played a foundational role in the evolution of security-oriented operating systems. By consolidating a vast array of auditing and testing tools into a single Linux-based environment, it became a standard platform for computer scientists, hackers, and auditors. Its development history reflects the merging of several early security projects, including Whoppix, WHAX, and Auditor, into a unified distribution. 

The significance of BackTrack is further cemented by its successor, Kali Linux. The transition in 2013 from BackTrack to a Debian-derived architecture marked a major shift in how security distributions are maintained and updated. Even after its active development ceased, BackTrack remains a point of reference in the history of cybersecurity for its role in making professional-grade penetration testing tools accessible within a specialized Linux kernel framework.

## Notable For
- **Direct Lineage:** It is the direct predecessor to Kali Linux, one of the most widely recognized security distributions in the world.
- **Project Consolidation:** It integrated the features and goals of several earlier projects, most notably Whoppix and the Auditor Security Collection.
- **Longevity:** Maintained an active presence in the security community for seven years, from its initial publication in 2006 until its succession in 2013.
- **Open Source Foundation:** Built entirely on the Linux kernel and core GNU components under the GNU General Public License.

## Body

### Origins and Development
BackTrack was first published in 2006. It was designed as a specialized Linux distribution, incorporating the Linux kernel and GNU components. Throughout its development, it was known by several aliases and related project names, including Whoppix (also spelled Whoopix), WHAX, and Auditor. These projects eventually converged to form the BackTrack distribution.

### Version History and Succession
The distribution underwent several iterations, culminating in the release of BackTrack 5 (Backtrack 5). The final stable version of the software, BackTrack 5.0 R3, was released on August 13, 2012. On March 13, 2013, the project was officially followed by Kali Linux. This successor distribution moved to a Debian-derived base, effectively ending the BackTrack release cycle.

### Technical Profile
*   **License:** The software was distributed under the GNU General Public License.
*   **Online Presence:** The project maintained an official website at backtrack-linux.org and is categorized on Stack Exchange under the "backtrack-linux" tag.
*   **Community and Documentation:** The distribution reached a sitelink count of 31 and is documented across various languages including English, Arabic, German, Spanish, and Persian.

### Professional Association
BackTrack was utilized by various professionals in the fields of computer science and security auditing. It is associated with figures such as computer scientist and hacker Keshav Kaushik, and computer scientist and auditor David G. Coderre. The distribution provided the technical framework necessary for the specialized auditing and security research conducted by these individuals.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "BackTrack",
  "description": "A Linux distribution published in 2006 and succeeded by Kali Linux in 2013.",
  "url": "http://www.backtrack-linux.org",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BackTrack"],
  "additionalType": "Linux distribution"
}

## References

1. [BackTrack 5 R3 Released!](http://www.backtrack-linux.org/backtrack/backtrack-5-r3-released/)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013