Abstract
Kali Linux is one of the best Operating Systems but it can be really tricky to use it and install it. Since most of the user prefer to use Microsoft Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems thus, it becomes difficult to install or perhaps use operating systems like Kali Linux. A user must be finding it curious that why use an operating system which is difficult to install and perhaps difficult to use. There are reasonable difficulties which a user might face but Kali Linux is a safer and powerful operating system and the reasons are discussed in this blog.
Introduction
Kali Linux is a Debian-derived operating system and it is available for free of price from it’s official website. An operating system like Kali Linux or Ubuntu can be really difficult since it has to be mostly used in the terminals via commands and in order to help with that user can check important Kali Linux Commands. The important question is why to use Kali Linux where operating systems like Windows can be easily used and they being extremely user friendly. The reasons are discussed in the following section.
Reasons to use Kali Linux
Even though it is difficult to use Kali Linux but there are many reasons to choose Kali Linux and the reasons are given below:
- Operating systems like Windows and Macintosh are more prone to viruses, threats than Kali Linux.
- Kali Linux is available for free without any hidden prices.
- It gives great performance even on an old hardware.
- It is a great operating tool to learn penetration testing and Digital Forensics.
- It has tools like Libre Office installed previously so users do not have to spend money on tools like Microsoft Office
Above are one of the few reasons to choose Kali Linux over other operating systems.
Different Ways to run Kali Linux
There are three different ways a user can run Kali Linux on a system which are given below.
- Virtualization
- Installation as a different Operating system
- Running it online
Even though there are many benefits of using Kali Linux but most of the users prefer to use it as Virtual Machine which allows users to run Kali Linux over a Windows or Macintosh Operating System. The easiest way to run Kali as a virtual machine can be using Oracle Virtualbox which can be installed from their website. Now Kali Linux either can be downloaded from it’s official website or a pre-installed kali linux can be used. The better option is to use a pre-installed kali linux from various websites like Osboxes. Now after downloading the Kali linux and then open virtualbox and following screen will show.
Either by selecting a New image can be chosen or simply opening the Kali file can be run and preferred method is the the first one. User can select a new image and following screen will pop-up.
It is very important that user must select the operating system which has to be run. For example, in this case it is a Linux operating system and the version is Debian 64-bit. If a user gets this information wrong then user will not be able to run the virtual machine. After user needs to select an existing virtual hard disk file and then select the downloaded file.
Then by clicking on start, it will run the Kali Linux.
Following is the screenshot of Kali running as a virtualbox. User can run both operating systems simultaneously and even run more operating systems using virtual box. There are options to exchange data between operating systems and all virtual operating systems can be connected to each other via common network. The demerits of using this method are that it requires a PC which has great specifications otherwise the system will not be able run the software efficiently.
The second method is installing the Kali Linux as an new operating system or run two different operating systems but not simultaneously. The best method is to make a bootable USB flash drive using any software like BalenaEtcher. This allows to make a bootable USB and install Kali Linux. Following is the screenshot of the balenaetcher.
Choosing the flash from file allows to make a bootable USB. User needs to restart the PC and then press the bootable key multiple times which is different for different systems. Then the following screen will show and then the Kali gets installed.
There are few demerits to this method like if user is using two different operating systems then it will take a lot of memory. Also, if users wish to use old operating systems then it has to install it again but cannot run them simultaneously. The next way to run kali linux is the simplest and it requires just a good network connection. There multiple websites like onworks which allows users to run operating systems online. When the website is opened it gives different operating systems and then Kali Linux can be chosen and following screen appears.
After clicking start, Kali Linux will run as shown below.
There might be some security reasons to not adapt this method since it is being ran from a server which might not be secure. Also, it is advisable to not run any application which requires providing personal information. This method can be used to get used to the Kali Linux or just how to know how it works.
Conclusion
If a user wants to learn about a new operating system which is very efficient and secure then Kali Linux is a great choice. There are few drop backs like gaming or list of software which are not available on Kali Linux. The right option would be to run it on a Virtual Machine which is depicted in this blog. Virtual Machines also build a secure network thus, not affecting the device from any threat. The three methods shown in this blog have their merits and demerits and according to the requirements, user can choose a method which is desirable.
