A little later than usual, but Kali 2024.2 is here! The delay has been due to changes under the hood to make this happen, which is where a lot of focus has been. The community has helped a huge amount, and this time they’ve not only been adding new packages, but updating and fixing bugs too!
Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution featuring over six hundred preinstalled penetration testing programs. Installing Kali as a virtual machine on a type 2 hypervisor such as VirtualBox provides the isolation and rollback capabilities necessary for advanced security testing.
Steps to install kali Linux on VirtualBox
Downloading kali Linux requires a virtual machine for Kali Linux, you must load an ISO file and configure virtual hardware, such as memory, CPU cores, and hard disks.
Step 1: Search Kali Linux download on web. Kali Linux provides multiple versions for users such as Installer Image, virtual machine, mobile and other. Now select the version you want to download.
[I recommend Installer Image for home users]
Step 2: If you have selected the image version, Kali Linux offers ISO images for 32-bit, 64-bit, and ARM64 architectures. To download an ISO file, click on download button provided on left side.
Step 3: Open VirtualBox and click on ‘new’
Step 4: Name the Kali Linux and provide the path to the ISO file. Then select Next.
Step 5: Choose the memory size you want to allocate to VM. The minimum recommended values for Kali Linux are 2 GB of RAM and 1 CPU. Select Next when you finish setting up the VM hardware.
Step 6: Now create a virtual hard disk for the new VM. The recommended hard disk size is at least 25 GB. Alternatively, you can use an existing virtual hard disk file or decide not to add one. Click Next to proceed to the next step.
Step 7: Review the summary and click ‘Finish’
Step 8: Now your Kali Linux will appear on VirtualBox manager. First select your Kali Linux and click on settings.
Step 9: Select the Advanced tab in the General section and change the Shared Clipboard and Drag and Drop settings to Bidirectional. This feature allows the host and the guest machine to exchange files.
Step 10: Similarly select Network from the menu on the left side. Change the Attached to field to Bridged Adapter. Select OK at the bottom of the window to return to the main window.
Step 11: Click start from the top right side of VirtualBox manager to run your VM.
Congratulations you have created a Kali Linux on VirtualBox. Once you click start on VirtualBox manager you must install and set up the operating system.
To do that, follow the steps below:
Step 1: When the new VM is started, the Kali Linux installer menu appears.
- Select the Graphical install
- Choose the system’s default language, which will also be used during installation.
- Find and select your country from the list or choose other.
- Decide which keyboard mapping to use.
Step 2: configure host, user
- In the configure network section, enter a system hostname.
Step 3: Type a domain name that the OS will use to identify the VM within a network. Specifying a domain name is not necessary if the VM is not part of an extensive local network.
Step 4: Create a user account by providing the user’s full name and username. And create a strong password for the user account.
Step 5: setup time zone and select disk partition. Tt’s important to create appropriate disk partitions to ensure the operating system functions smoothly.
- To partition the disk, select “Guided partitioning”
- Now, choose “All files in one partition” as a partitioning scheme.
- Here, a prompt shows the summary of the configured partition. Click on Continue.
Step 6: select software you want to install with kali Linux.
Step 7: Once installation done, it will ask for restart and your Kali Linux is ready.
Conclusion
Installing Kali Linux using a virtual machine in advance is a simple process that saves time and reduces the risk of errors. In this way, you can set up an efficient Kali Linux environment in VirtualBox to prepare for penetration testing and security tests. This guide showed you how to install Kali Linux in VirtualBox. It covered the procedures for installing Kali using the official ISO and running the OS from a pre-built VirtualBox image.
References
Aleksic, M. (2024). How to Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox {Step by Step Tutorial}. [online] Knowledge Base by phoenixNAP. Available at: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/how-to-install-kali-linux-on-virtualbox#ftoc-heading-4 [Accessed 15 Aug. 2024].
Milica Dancuk (2022). How to Create/Add Users in Linux | phoenixNAP KB. [online] Knowledge Base by phoenixNAP. Available at: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/linux-user-create#ftoc-heading-5 [Accessed 15 Aug. 2024].
