Blackeye phishing tool is one of the most readily available phishing tools available on the GitHub to stimulate real-world phishing attacks for educational purposes and to penetrate testing and mitigation processes. All popular websites, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more use this tool to create phishing pages. By replicating the login pages, it will provide a stimulation of how attackers can trick users into revealing sensitive information.
Most ethical hackers, cybersecurity students, and penetration testers use Blackeye phishing tool to learn more about phishing and strengthen security practices. However, to keep users from misusing the tool, it is crucial that it is only used when absolutely necessary and with extreme responsibility.
In this guide, we shall learn about the tool in detail, from downloading to its ethical use.
Is Blackeye Legal to Use?
The legal use of the Blackeye phishing tool depends entirely on the application. Generally, when users or students use it within a lab or with red team engagement it is completely legal. This means that using it for ethical hacking, educational purposes, or security reasons, it is safe and legal.
However, conducting phishing attacks on unsuspecting individuals is illegal and is considered a cybercrime in most countries. Unauthorized usage of this tool will lead to serious legal consequences and criminal charges.
Key legal guidelines to follow:
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- Always get written consent before testing any system.
- Use in controlled environments such as CTFs (Capture The Flag) or local test networks.
- Never use it for malicious purposes or personal gain.
In general, using it unethically or within the right permissions, it is not permitted.
Blackeye Phishing Tool GitHub Overview
Blackeye phishing tool is originally hosted on GitHub, where it is regularly maintained and shared by various contributors in the cybersecurity community. It is a bash-based phishing tool that clones the login pages of different websites and serves them locally or through tunneling services like Ngrok, Localhost.run, or Serveo. The tool is often updated to support new templates or fix compatibility issues with modern browsers.
On GitHub, Blackeye repositories typically include:
- A list of supported phishing templates (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
- Installation instructions for Linux
- Tunneling service configurations
- Basic usage guidelines
Since GitHub is one of the most popular platforms, multiple forks of the Blackeye exist.
Some versions are more updated or offer advanced features like improved obfuscation or automated credential capturing. When exploring the tool on GitHub, always check:
- The last update date (to ensure it’s still maintained)
- Issues and pull requests (for known bugs or fixes)
- Star ratings and forks (to assess reliability and popularity)
Here it is important to remember to only use and download the tool from the official source as it can be dangerous to do it otherwise.
Related Article: Server-Side Security Alone Can’t Stop Whaling Phishing Attacks
How to Download Blackeye Phishing Tool
To download the Blackeye Phishing tool, you first need a Linux-based system with a supported version of the Git installed.
- Step 1: Install Git (if not already installed)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git -y

- Step 2: Clone the Blackeye GitHub Repository
Use the following command to clone the official or most active fork of Blackeye:
git clone https://github.com/thelinuxchoice/blackeye
- Step 3: Navigate to the Blackeye Directory
cd blackeye
Now, the Blackeye phishing tool source files are on your computer, ready to be installed.
How to Install Blackeye on Linux
Once your Blackeye files are ready to be installed, it is a super straightforward process from here.
Step 1: Give Execution Permissions
Make the main script executable:
chmod +x blackeye.sh
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies
Blackeye relies on a few external tools and services, including PHP, curl, and wget. Install them using:
sudo apt install php curl wget -y
Depending on which fork version you use, you might also need a tunneling tool like Ngrok, requiring a separate setup.
Step 3: Run the Tool
Now, launch the script:
./blackeye.sh
You should see a menu listing all available phishing templates. From here, you can begin simulating phishing pages.
How to Use Blackeye Phishing Tool (Step-by-Step)
Once you have successfully installed the Blackeye phishing tool, you can follow these steps to use it.
Step 1: Launch Blackeye
./blackeye.sh
This command displays the main working dashboard.
Step 2: Choose a Phishing Template
Enter the number of the phishing template site that you want to simulate for the attack. For example, Facebook is number 1.
Step 3: Start the Phishing Server
Blackeye will then set up a local PHP server and prompt to select a tunnel like Ngrok to make the attacking page accessible over the internet.
Step 4: Share the Link (For Testing Only)
Blackeye will provide a public URL, which is commonly used in a red team engagement to test phishing awareness in legal scenarios.
Step 5: Monitor for Captured Data
If the victim would input their credentials, Blackeye will log a file usually named as credentials.txt inside the tool’s directory.
Supported Phishing Templates in Blackeye
Blackeye comes with multiple different pre-built phishing templates. These templates look convincing, making them effective for testing phishing resilience in controlled environments.
Commonly Supported Templates Include:
- Snapchat
- Twitter (now X)
- GitHub
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Yahoo
- WordPress
Each template looks exactly like the official login page and automatically captures the credentials of the test user.
Users can also modify existing templates or create their own, though this requires basic knowledge of HTML and PHP.
Popular Alternatives To The Blackeye Phishing Tool
Tool | Language | Templates Supported | Tunneling Services | Ease of Use | Best For | Notes |
Blackeye | Bash | 15–20+ (varies) | Ngrok, Serveo | Easy | Educational/Testing (with consent) | Lightweight but basic; some forks may be outdated |
HiddenEye | Python | 30+ | Ngrok, Localhost.run, Cloudflare | Moderate | Advanced Phishing Simulations | More features like keylogging (use with extreme caution) |
ZPhisher | Bash | 30+ | Ngrok, Cloudflare, LocalXpose | Very Easy | Beginners & Quick Setup | Actively maintained, user-friendly, many templates |
SocialFish | Python | Customizable | Ngrok, Localhost.run | Moderate | Devs interested in customization | Good for creating custom templates |
Gophish | Go (Golang) | Custom | N/A (uses internal server) | Moderate | Enterprise & Security Awareness | Professional tool for legal, enterprise-grade phishing simulations |
Conclusion – Is Blackeye Phishing Tool Legal?
To conclude it all, phishing attacks are illegal when used in an unethical manner to capture details of an unsuspecting user. However, when used with people who have explicitly agreed to be a part of the testing team or an experiment, it is okay to use. Misuse will lead to criminal charges. So be ethical!
blackeye phishing tool
Is it safe to use the Blackeye phishing tool?
The Blackeye phishing tool can be dangerous if used irresponsibly. It should only be used for ethical purposes, such as penetration testing, with explicit consent from the target. Misuse of the tool can lead to legal consequences.
Can I use Blackeye on Windows or macOS?
Blackeye is designed to work with Linux-based operating systems. However, you can run it on Windows or macOS using a virtual machine (VM) or Docker that simulates a Linux environment.
Can Blackeye bypass security mechanisms?
While Blackeye may bypass some security measures, it is not foolproof. Many modern security solutions can detect phishing attempts. The effectiveness of Blackeye depends on the target’s security awareness and the tactics used.