Step-by-Step Guide- How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox for Secure Testing and Hacking

How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox

Installing Kali Linux in VirtualBox is a straightforward process that allows you to run the popular penetration testing distribution on your Windows, macOS, or Linux host without the need for a dedicated machine. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Kali Linux in a virtual environment using VirtualBox, ensuring you have a secure and isolated testing environment.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

1. VirtualBox installed on your host operating system.
2. A Kali Linux ISO file downloaded from the official website or a trusted source.
3. Administrative privileges on your host machine.

Step 1: Create a New Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox and click on “New” to create a new virtual machine.
2. Enter a name for your virtual machine, select “Linux” as the type, and choose “Ubuntu (64-bit)” as the version. Click “Next.”
3. Assign a fixed amount of memory to your virtual machine, keeping in mind that Kali Linux requires at least 2GB of RAM. Click “Next.”
4. Click on the “Create” button to create the virtual machine.

Step 2: Configure the Virtual Machine

1. In the “Hard Disk” section, click on “Create a new hard disk” and select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” as the file type. Click “Next.”
2. Choose “Dynamically allocated” as the storage on physical hard disk option and set the size to at least 20GB. Click “Next.”
3. Click “Create” to create the virtual hard disk.

Step 3: Install Kali Linux

1. Select the newly created virtual machine and click on “Settings.”
2. Go to the “System” section and increase the number of CPU cores assigned to the virtual machine. For Kali Linux, a minimum of 2 cores is recommended.
3. In the “Display” section, increase the video memory to at least 128MB.
4. Go to the “Storage” section and click on the CD icon next to “IDE Controller: Primary Master.” Select the Kali Linux ISO file you downloaded earlier and click “Open.”
5. Click “OK” to save the settings.

Step 4: Start the Virtual Machine and Install Kali Linux

1. Click on the “Start” button to start the virtual machine.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Kali Linux. Choose the language, keyboard layout, and disk partitioning options as per your preference.
3. Once the installation is complete, restart the virtual machine.

Step 5: Configure Kali Linux

1. After the virtual machine restarts, log in to Kali Linux using the username and password you set during the installation.
2. Update the package lists and upgrade the installed packages by running the following commands in the terminal:
“`
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
“`
3. Install additional packages or tools as needed for your penetration testing tasks.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Kali Linux in VirtualBox. You can now use this virtual environment to perform security assessments and penetration testing without risking your host system.