The document introduces Python programming, highlighting its ease of learning, efficiency, and suitability for ethical hacking, particularly with rapid prototyping. It discusses the differences between Python 2.x and 3.x, emphasizing the use of Python 2.7 for the course due to compatibility issues. Additionally, it covers the setup of Python on various operating systems and provides examples of using the interactive interpreter and executing scripts.

1. Python for ethical hackers
Mohammad reza Kamalifard
kamalifard@datasec.ir

2. Python language essentials
Module 1:
Introduction to Python and Setting up an Environment
for Programing

3. Python a short History
• Created in 1989 by Huido Van Rossum (now he works for
•
•
•
•
•
Google in App Engine)
Python 2.x in 2000
Python 3.x in 2008
Python 3 is not backward compatible
2.x is the status quo
3.x future

4. Why Python ?
• Python is an easy to learn
• Powerful
• efficient high-level data structures
• write complex operations in fewer statements than in C, C++ or
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Java.
Object-oriented programming is a lot easier than in languages
like Java.
Clean syntax and code readability
Python programs are portable
Open Source
Cross-platform
Rich set of libraries
Large Number of open source tools

5. Cross-platform
• Unix/ Linux
• Mac OS X
• Windows
• Mobile Platforms – Android, IOS
• Embedded Systems

6. Major Implementations
• Cpython – reference implementation “Python”
• PyPy
• Jython – Python implementation in Java
• IronPython – Python implementation in C#

7. Why Python in InfoSec?
• Rapid prototyping – POC ( proof on concept )
• Extensive library support
• Tons of tools already written
• If you want to write POC very fast actually you need
language which is High level allows you to concentrate
more on business of the application rather than having to
worry about integrity details.

8. Python On different OS
• Linux :
– Pre-Loaded
• Windows:
–
–
Download python 2.7.5 from http://python.org/getit
Or Download and install Activestate Python
http://www.activestate.com/activepython
• Mac OS :
– Pre-Loaded

9. Python 2.7 or 3.X ?
• Python 3 is not backward compatible
• Most tools / Libraries still do not Support 3.x
• We use python 2.7 here in this course

10. Using the Python Interactive Interpreter
$ python
Python 2.7.3 (default, Apr 10 2013, 05:46:21)
[GCC 4.6.3] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for
more information.
>>>

11. Hello, World!
>>> print 'Hello, World!'
Hello, World!
>>>
>>> print 'Welcome to PYSEC101 Course'
Welcome to PYSEC101 Course
>>>
>>> 'Hello World'
'Hello World'
>>> 3
3
>>>

12. Use the interpreter as a simple calculator
>>> 12 / 7
1
>>>
>>> 12.0 / 7
1.7142857142857142
>>>
>>> float(12) / 7
1.7142857142857142
>>>

13. Order of operations
()
2. exponents and roots
3. multiplication and division
4. Addition and subtraction
1.
>>> 3 + 2 * 4
11
>>> ( 3 + 2 ) * 4
20
>>>
The most recent output value is automatically stored by the interpreter in a special
variable with the name "_“
>>> _
20
>>>

14. Execute a Python script
• The interactive interpreter is great for checking small bits
of code but if we have to write a serious program or script,
we need to save our script in a file.
• To save and edit programs in a file we need an editor.
• There are lots of editors, but you should choose one,
which supports syntax highlighting and indentation. Under
Linux you can use vi, vim, sublime text, Eclipse, emacs,
geany, gedit and others.

15. Execute a Python script
$ vim Hello.py
print 'Hello, World!'
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
$ python Hello.py
Hello, World!

16. References
SPSE securitytube training by Vivek Ramachandran
SANS Python for Pentesters (SEC573)
Violent python
Security Power Tools
python-course.eu
http://docs.python.org/2/reference/expressions.html
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Python_Programming/Operators
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations
http://www.python-course.eu/history_and_philosophy.php
http://www.python-course.eu/why_python.php
http://www.python-course.eu/interactive.php

17. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/
Copyright 2013 Mohammad Reza Kamalifard
All rights reserved.
Go to Kamalifard.ir/pysec101 to Download Slides and Course martials .