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Legal Disclaimer

CRITICAL: This tool is designed for authorized security testing only. Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal and punishable by law.

Purpose and Intent

HackingTool is an educational and professional security testing framework designed for:
  • Authorized penetration testing
  • Security research and education
  • Vulnerability assessment on systems you own or have explicit permission to test
  • Ethical hacking training and practice
  • Security auditing with proper authorization
The tools included in HackingTool are aggregated from various open-source projects. HackingTool serves as a convenient launcher and manager for these security tools.

Unauthorized Use is Illegal

Using HackingTool or any of its included tools against systems without explicit written authorization is illegal in most jurisdictions worldwide and may result in:

What Constitutes Illegal Use

The following activities are ILLEGAL without explicit authorization:
  • Scanning networks or systems you don’t own
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any system
  • Exploiting vulnerabilities without permission
  • Intercepting network traffic on networks you don’t control
  • Deploying malware or payloads on systems without authorization
  • Conducting denial-of-service (DoS/DDoS) attacks
  • Cracking passwords for accounts you don’t own
  • Phishing or social engineering attacks without consent
  • Wireless network attacks on networks you don’t own
  • Accessing, modifying, or deleting data without authorization
  • Bypassing security controls on systems you’re not authorized to test

Authorization Requirements

What is Proper Authorization?

Before using any security testing tools, ensure you have:
  • Written permission from the system owner or authorized representative
  • Clearly defined scope of what systems and networks can be tested
  • Specific time windows when testing is permitted
  • Rules of engagement documenting what actions are allowed
  • Emergency contact information for the organization
  • Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) if handling sensitive information
  • Liability insurance for professional penetration testers
  • Documentation plan for findings and reporting
Example Authorization Document:A proper authorization letter should include:
  • Client organization name and authorized signatory
  • Specific IP ranges, domains, or systems to be tested
  • Testing dates and times
  • Allowed testing methodologies
  • Prohibited actions (if any)
  • Reporting requirements
  • Signatures from both parties
  • Date of authorization

Self-Owned Systems

You are free to use HackingTool on:
  • Your own personal computers and devices
  • Virtual machines you’ve created for testing
  • Networks you own and control
  • Cloud resources you’ve provisioned (check provider ToS)
  • Lab environments specifically set up for security testing
Cloud Provider Considerations:Even on your own cloud resources, check the provider’s Acceptable Use Policy:
  • AWS has specific penetration testing policies
  • Azure requires notification for certain tests
  • Google Cloud has similar restrictions
  • Violation can result in account termination

Ethical Hacking Principles

The Ethical Hacker’s Code

As a user of security tools, you should adhere to these principles:
  1. Obtain Authorization
    • Never test without explicit permission
    • Document all authorizations
    • Stay within the defined scope
  2. Minimize Harm
    • Avoid causing damage or disruption
    • Don’t delete or modify data unnecessarily
    • Be careful with DoS testing
    • Have rollback plans
  3. Protect Confidentiality
    • Keep findings confidential
    • Secure your testing data
    • Use NDAs appropriately
    • Don’t share sensitive information
  4. Report Responsibly
    • Document all findings
    • Report vulnerabilities promptly
    • Follow coordinated disclosure practices
    • Provide remediation guidance
  5. Continuous Learning
    • Stay updated on laws and regulations
    • Understand new attack vectors
    • Learn defensive techniques too
    • Share knowledge responsibly
  6. Respect Privacy
    • Don’t access personal information unnecessarily
    • Comply with data protection laws (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
    • Minimize data collection during tests
    • Securely dispose of collected data
  7. Professional Conduct
    • Maintain professional standards
    • Be honest about your capabilities
    • Don’t misrepresent findings
    • Follow industry certifications ethics (CEH, OSCP, etc.)

Responsible Disclosure

If you discover vulnerabilities during authorized testing:
  1. Immediate Notification
    • Inform the organization promptly
    • Use secure communication channels
    • Provide clear, actionable information
  2. Allow Remediation Time
    • Give the organization time to fix issues (typically 90 days)
    • Don’t publicly disclose before they’ve patched
    • Coordinate disclosure timeline
  3. Document Everything
    • Steps to reproduce
    • Potential impact
    • Suggested fixes
    • Evidence (screenshots, logs)
  4. Follow Up
    • Verify fixes have been implemented
    • Retest if requested
    • Coordinate public disclosure if appropriate
  5. Bug Bounty Programs
    • Many organizations have formal programs
    • Follow their specific rules
    • Don’t exceed authorized scope
    • Respect safe harbor provisions

License Information

MIT License

HackingTool is released under the MIT License:
MIT License

Copyright (c) 2020 Mr.Z4nzu

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPARIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.

What the MIT License Means

The MIT License grants you broad permissions but does not grant permission to use the software illegally.
You are free to:
  • Use the software for any lawful purpose
  • Modify the source code
  • Distribute copies
  • Use it commercially (for authorized penetration testing services)
  • Create derivative works
Conditions:
  • Include the copyright notice and license
  • The software is provided “as is” without warranty
Important: The MIT License does NOT:
  • Grant permission to hack systems without authorization
  • Protect you from legal consequences of illegal use
  • Provide any warranty or liability coverage
  • Override applicable laws and regulations

Third-Party Tools

Individual Tool Licenses

HackingTool aggregates numerous third-party tools, each with its own license:Common licenses you’ll encounter:
  • GPL (GNU General Public License) - Requires derivative works to be open source
  • MIT License - Permissive, similar to HackingTool
  • Apache License 2.0 - Permissive with patent grant
  • BSD Licenses - Permissive variants
  • Creative Commons - For documentation and non-code works
Your responsibilities:
  • Respect each tool’s license terms
  • Include attribution where required
  • Comply with copyleft provisions if distributing modified tools
  • Check license compatibility when combining tools
  • Review the PROJECT_URL for each tool to see its specific license
Examples from HackingTool:

Tool Maintenance and Security

HackingTool aggregates tools from various sources:
  • Tools may become outdated
  • Original repositories may be abandoned
  • Security vulnerabilities may exist in older tools
  • Some tool repositories may be removed or relocated
You are responsible for:
  • Verifying tool security before use
  • Keeping tools updated
  • Understanding each tool’s functionality
  • Not using compromised or malicious tools

Liability and Warranty

No Warranty

AS STATED IN THE MIT LICENSE:THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
This means:
  • No guarantee the tools will work as expected
  • No liability for damages caused by using the software
  • No support obligations from the developers
  • Use at your own risk

User Responsibility

Educational Use

Learning Environments

Safe ways to learn and practice:
  1. Purpose-Built Vulnerable Applications
    • DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application)
    • WebGoat
    • Metasploitable
    • OWASP Juice Shop
    • HackTheBox
    • TryHackMe
  2. Isolated Lab Environments
    • VirtualBox/VMware virtual machines
    • Docker containers
    • Air-gapped networks
    • Cloud sandbox environments
  3. Capture The Flag (CTF) Competitions
    • Organized competitions with explicit permission
    • Educational challenges
    • Bug bounty platforms with clear rules
  4. Professional Training
    • Offensive Security courses
    • SANS training
    • eLearnSecurity courses
    • University cybersecurity programs

Academic and Research Use

If using HackingTool for academic research:
  • Get Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval if required
  • Follow your institution’s ethical guidelines
  • Use only authorized test systems
  • Properly cite tools and methodologies
  • Respect participant privacy in studies
  • Follow responsible disclosure for any findings

Professional Penetration Testing

For Security Professionals

If you’re a professional penetration tester:
Legal Requirements:
  • Maintain proper contracts and statements of work
  • Carry professional liability insurance
  • Follow industry frameworks (PTES, OWASP, NIST)
  • Comply with standards (PCI DSS, HIPAA, etc.)
  • Document everything thoroughly
Professional Certifications:
  • CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
  • OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
  • GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)
  • CREST certifications
  • Follow each certification’s code of ethics
Best Practices:
  • Use formal rules of engagement
  • Maintain client confidentiality
  • Provide detailed reports
  • Offer remediation guidance
  • Stay within authorized scope at all times
  • Have emergency contact procedures
  • Maintain proper evidence handling

Regional Considerations

Laws vary by country and region:
Be aware of local laws:
  • Export restrictions - Some security tools may have export controls
  • Encryption regulations - Some countries restrict strong encryption
  • Data sovereignty - Where testing data can be stored
  • Cross-border testing - May require additional authorizations
  • Different legal standards - What’s legal in one country may not be in another
Consult with legal counsel familiar with your jurisdiction’s computer crime laws.

Final Disclaimer

READ CAREFULLY:By using HackingTool, you acknowledge and agree that:
  1. You will only use this software for lawful purposes
  2. You will obtain proper authorization before testing any system
  3. You understand the legal risks of unauthorized access
  4. You accept full responsibility for your actions
  5. The developers and contributors are not responsible for misuse
  6. You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
  7. You have read and understood this legal disclaimer
  8. You will use the tools ethically and responsibly
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THIS SOFTWARE.
If you have questions about legal use:
  • Consult with a lawyer specializing in computer crime law
  • Review your organization’s legal and IT policies
  • Contact professional security organizations (ISSA, ISC², etc.)
  • Seek guidance from experienced security professionals
  • Review guidelines from certification bodies
This disclaimer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions, consult with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.

Remember

The golden rule of ethical hacking:“Test only what you own, or have explicit written permission to test.”When in doubt, don’t test. Get authorization first.

Project maintained by: Z4nzu
GitHub: https://github.com/Z4nzu/hackingtool
License: MIT License (see LICENSE file)
Please don’t use for illegal activity. Use responsibly and ethically.

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