Hacking With Python
Python Introduction
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to use Python to create programs. It shows you how to follow commands and deliver your desired output. This book also contains useful information regarding what Python is, its syntax as well as its functions. It also contains examples to help you understand the programming language better.
Hacking Introduction
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to learn the fundamentals of hacking. This eBook will teach you the basic principles of hacking. It will explain the three types of hackers as well as the tools that you can use. It will give you a detailed study plan on how to improve your skills and knowledge in a short period of time. In addition, this book will teach you how to use the Python programming language. An entire chapter is dedicated to penetration testing. That chapter will explain the different parts and requirements of an effective test. Additionally, that material will arm you with specific tools and techniques that you can use in your own “pen tests”. The lessons that you’ll find in this book rely on an operating system called Kali Linux. Kali is the preferred OS of hackers and penetration testers. This OS contains an extensive collection of hacking tools. With Kali, you won’t have to download and install extra programs. You can use it as is. This eBook will also discuss defense oriented topics such as malware protection. This way, you’ll know what to do in case you have to attack a target or thwart a hacker’s efforts.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Python
Python is a general purpose, high level programming language, which design philosophy focuses more on the readability of the codes. The syntax allows you to express concepts by using several lines of codes. These lines of codes are fewer than C++ and Java. In addition, it offers constructs designed to let clear programs on large scales and small scales. The Python programming language supports various programming paradigms. It encompasses imperative, object-oriented, and functional programming. In addition, it features automatic memory management and dynamic tape system. It also features an extensive and comprehensive standard library. Several interpreters are available to install the programming language on different operating systems. This makes Python executable on nearly every system. As a programmer, you can make use of third-party applications, such as Installer and Py2exe. The codes may be packaged into standalone executable programs for your operating system so that the software may be distributed to different environments without the need for an interpreter to be installed. Python is the reference implementation of this programming language. It is a free open source software with a community based development model. The Python Software Foundation manages it. This organization is non-profit and owns the copyright for Python version 2.1 and the most recent versions. The mission of the organization is to advance the open source technology associated with the programming language and publicize its usage.
Python – A Brief History
The Python programming language was developed during the late 1980’s and was first implemented in December 1989. It was implemented by its main author, Guido van Rossum. This programming language was originally a simple project. Van Rossum just wanted to have something to do during the Christmas season. During that time, he wanted to develop an interpreter for a scripting language that appeals to hackers of C and UNIX. His project eventually turned into Python 2.0. It was released on October 16, 2000 and boasted of lots of new features, including a Unicode support and a full garbage collector. Python 3.0, also known as Python 3000 and py3k, was released on December 3, 2008. Many of its features were backported to versions 2.6 and 2.7.
More Information about Python
Python is an excellent programming language for beginners. In fact, you can use it as your first programming language. You can use it to hone and practice your coding abilities and broaden your knowledge on programming. Its consistent and simple syntax is easy to understand. It also has a vast standard library, which prevents confusing. It is similar to Java in the sense that it also has an extensive standard library that you can use for many different projects. The assignments are not limited to your usual check balancing programs or four-function calculator. This programming language lets you deal with realistic applications as you go deeper into the fundamentals of programming. What’s more, you get to learn about code reuse. Python has an interactive interpreter, which allows you to test different language features. You may keep a window open while the interpreter runs, at the same time keeping another window open for entering your source. If you are a beginner and Python is your first programming language, you do not have to worry about not being able to focus on your skills. Python can actually help you develop and hone your skills in programming decomposition and data type design. Through this programming language, you will know more about basic concepts, such as loops and procedures. You can also work with various user-defined objects.
There is no prerequisite for learning Python.
It is perfectly alright to start from scratch. You can learn Python even if you do not have any prior knowledge about programming. As long as you know how to use a computer and you can understand simple terms, you are good to go. Then again, it is a huge plus if you already know what programming languages are and have been exposed to at least one in the past.
Installing Python is very easy.
When it comes to installation, installing Python is pretty simple. Even if you are not tech savvy, you can easily install this programming language. Most UNIX and Linux distributions actually include it in their system. Some Windows computers, especially the ones you find at Hewlett-Packard, have it pre-installed. Nonetheless, before you start using it, you should learn about text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) first. This way, you can grasp the programming language more easily. Also, look at examples of codes or read books on how to start programming if you want to learn Python quickly.
You can basically do anything you want with your source.
Restrictions regarding copyright are minimal. This means that as long as you leave the copyrights alone or include them in your documents, you will be fine. See to it that you abide by the rules on copyright if you do not want to get in trouble with the law. You may even be allowed to use the programming language for commercial purposes if you ask permission from the owner. It is possible to sell copies that are in binary and source forms, whether or not they have been modified. Likewise, it is allowed to sell products that involve Python. However, remember that the logo of the programming language is trademarked. So, if you want to use it, you should ask for permission.
Python is stable enough to be used regularly.
In fact, this programming language is stable. For every six to eighteen months, there is a new release, which comes out. The developers usually issue a bugfix release as well. Such release is meant for the older versions so that the recent releases will stay stable. In other words, bugfix releases are meant for stability Also, they are specified based on their version number. Then again, only the fixes for issues that have already been identified are included in the bugfix releases. They are expected to have similar interfaces too.
It is possible to create applications using Python.
If applications are what you want, do not worry because you can create them using this programming language. Python has numerous libraries and system calls found in various operating systems. You can rely on Python in terms of creating an application, which requires easy to program interface. The programming language is efficient in accomplishing the tasks you need for your application programming interface (API).
It is easy to look for bugs and perform static analyses on Python.
You can use static analysis tools, such as Checker, to search for bugs in your source code. Tools like this warn about the style and the complexity of the codes. Aside from Checker, you can also use Plant to see if your module satisfies the coding standards and allows the customizability of plugins. This static analysis tool also has added features such as checking line length.
Python usually starts quickly, but it may start a bit slower in some cases.
If you are using Windows, you will not have a problem starting Python. However, there may be certain bug reports that cause the programming language to be slow to start up. This issue may have been caused by a misconfiguration of virus checking software. Thus, it is important to ensure that the virus scanning software program you use is properly configured. All of your virus scanning software programs have to be identical. Such problems are usually experienced by users of McAfee.
The Python programming language got its name from a popular TV show in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
You may think that the programming language was inspired by a reptile. After all, where else could it have gotten its name, right? Well, if you are familiar with the British sketch comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the origin of the programming language’s name would not come as a shock. The popular TV show aired from 1969 until 1974. During that time, Guido van Rossum was very fond of the series. He was reading its scripts while developing the programming language. So, when the time came that he had to think of a name, he went with ‘Python’, which was obviously inspired by ‘Monty Python’. Van Rossum thought that the name was clever, unique and mysterious.
Chapter 2 - Basic Syntax
Python is similar to other programming languages, namely Java, Perl, and C language. However, it is not identical to any of them because it still has several distinctions. For instance, you have the chance to run your program in various modes in Python.
Interactive Mode Programming
When you invoke the interpreter but did not pass the script file as the parameter, you will see these codes:
$ python
Python 2.4.3 ( #1, Nov 11 2010, 13:34:43 )
[GCC 4.1.2 20080704 (Red Hat 4.1.2- 48)] on linux2
Type “help”, “copyright”, “credits” or “license” for more information. >>>
Once you see this prompt, type this text then hit the Enter button:
>>> print “Sample Python text”:
When you run the above given code, you will get an output of:
Sample Python text
In case you’re using a newer version of the programming language, you simply have to add a set of parenthesis to your text, such as the following:
>>> print (“Sample Python text”)
Script Mode Programming
It is possible to invoke an interpreter by using script parameter. If you use this, your script will start to execute. It will continue to do this until it finishes then the interpreter will become inactive. Keep in mind that the files in the Python programming language are usually written with a .py extension. To help you understand things better, here is an example of a program typed in a sample.py file:
print “Sample Python text”;
Say, you have an interpreter that has been set in the PATH variable. You can try running it such as follows:
$ python sample.py
When you run your program, you will get the following output:
Sample Python text
