Aug 25, 2023 07:41 PM
(This post was last modified: Aug 25, 2023 07:47 PM by 463n7.)
This is my first real post, so I apologize is things are out of wack or this is redundant. Just wanted to help where I can. If any errors or typos are found, please inform me so that I can make corrections. I figured I'd throw up a 2 or 3 part series about Kali Linux for any beginners that might be interested in using/learning it. It's a very powerful tool when put in the right hands, but essentially useless if you have no idea what you're doing. So as these short guides give some bits of basic information, please remember that you must take the time to properly LEARN THE OS.
1. Downloading Kali Linux:
Visit the official Kali Linux website (https://www.kali.org/) and navigate to the "Downloads" section. Choose the appropriate version for your system (32-bit or 64-bit) and download the ISO file. If you choose the 64-bit installation and intend on using a Virtual Machine, you may need to change a setting in your BIOS. You need to enable hardware virtualization support. NetworkChuck on YouTube has a video explaining and showing how to do this.
2. OPTIONAL Creating a bootable USB drive:
Once the ISO file is downloaded, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive. You can use tools like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Windows, macOS, or Linux) to accomplish this. Simply select the ISO file and the USB drive, and let the tool handle the rest.
2.1. OPTIONAL Creating a Virtual Machine:
Head over to either VMWare or Oracle VirtualBox to download and install a virtual machine. Once the VM is installed, continue to step 3.
3. Installing Kali Linux:
Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer and restart it. Make sure to configure your system's boot order to prioritize USB booting. Kali Linux will launch its installer, guiding you through the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
OR
Once the VM is installed, you will then set up your Kali OS inside of the VM just like you would if you were installing on any other PC. In my opinion, this is the best way to start using it. You generally do not need a dedicated piece of hardware to only run this OS, and with a VM you will be able to absolutely break it to help you learn without it breaking your actual PC. There are many good YouTube tutorials showing how to to do this. NetworkChuck has a very good tutorial specifically.
4. Learning the basics:
Once Kali Linux is installed, it's essential to understand the basics. Familiarize yourself with the GNOME desktop environment, which is the default interface for Kali Linux. Explore the different menus, settings, and applications available. Take your time to get comfortable with the layout and functionality of the OS. Once you're comfortable with the GUI, you will need to start familiarizing yourself with the terminal window. You will essentially live here, so learn the commands and how it works.
5. Updating Kali Linux:
Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for security and performance. Open a terminal window and run the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
OR
sudo apt update && apt upgrade
This will update the package repositories and upgrade the installed packages to their latest versions.
6. Exploring Kali Linux tools:
Kali Linux comes preloaded with numerous powerful tools for security testing and ethical hacking. Spend time exploring these tools and their functionalities. Some popular tools include Nmap for network scanning, Wireshark for packet analysis, Metasploit for vulnerability assessment, and Aircrack-ng for wireless network auditing. You can find extensive documentation and tutorials for each tool on the Kali Linux website.
7. Learning from available resources:
To learn more about Kali Linux, leverage the available resources. Explore online forums, communities, and websites dedicated to Kali Linux and ethical hacking. The official Kali Linux documentation is an excellent starting point (https://www.kali.org/docs/). Also, there are many books, video tutorials, and online courses that can help you dive deeper into the subject.
Remember, Kali Linux is a powerful tool that should be used responsibly and ethically. Always ensure you have proper authorization and follow legal guidelines while using it. Don't go booting all of your neighbors off of their wifi and potentially messing up their hardware.
I hope this beginner's guide at the very least helps you get started with Kali Linux. Also remember, Kali is a version of Linux, and you can do everything just the same in other versions. Kali is just solely targeted towards individuals that use it for exactly what it is. It is arguably better to learn a more user friendly and "everyone" oriented version of Linux first. I will soon make another post detailing some of the most common tools used and a description of what they do. Have a good one✌
1. Downloading Kali Linux:
Visit the official Kali Linux website (https://www.kali.org/) and navigate to the "Downloads" section. Choose the appropriate version for your system (32-bit or 64-bit) and download the ISO file. If you choose the 64-bit installation and intend on using a Virtual Machine, you may need to change a setting in your BIOS. You need to enable hardware virtualization support. NetworkChuck on YouTube has a video explaining and showing how to do this.
2. OPTIONAL Creating a bootable USB drive:
Once the ISO file is downloaded, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive. You can use tools like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Windows, macOS, or Linux) to accomplish this. Simply select the ISO file and the USB drive, and let the tool handle the rest.
2.1. OPTIONAL Creating a Virtual Machine:
Head over to either VMWare or Oracle VirtualBox to download and install a virtual machine. Once the VM is installed, continue to step 3.
3. Installing Kali Linux:
Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer and restart it. Make sure to configure your system's boot order to prioritize USB booting. Kali Linux will launch its installer, guiding you through the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
OR
Once the VM is installed, you will then set up your Kali OS inside of the VM just like you would if you were installing on any other PC. In my opinion, this is the best way to start using it. You generally do not need a dedicated piece of hardware to only run this OS, and with a VM you will be able to absolutely break it to help you learn without it breaking your actual PC. There are many good YouTube tutorials showing how to to do this. NetworkChuck has a very good tutorial specifically.
4. Learning the basics:
Once Kali Linux is installed, it's essential to understand the basics. Familiarize yourself with the GNOME desktop environment, which is the default interface for Kali Linux. Explore the different menus, settings, and applications available. Take your time to get comfortable with the layout and functionality of the OS. Once you're comfortable with the GUI, you will need to start familiarizing yourself with the terminal window. You will essentially live here, so learn the commands and how it works.
5. Updating Kali Linux:
Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for security and performance. Open a terminal window and run the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
OR
sudo apt update && apt upgrade
This will update the package repositories and upgrade the installed packages to their latest versions.
6. Exploring Kali Linux tools:
Kali Linux comes preloaded with numerous powerful tools for security testing and ethical hacking. Spend time exploring these tools and their functionalities. Some popular tools include Nmap for network scanning, Wireshark for packet analysis, Metasploit for vulnerability assessment, and Aircrack-ng for wireless network auditing. You can find extensive documentation and tutorials for each tool on the Kali Linux website.
7. Learning from available resources:
To learn more about Kali Linux, leverage the available resources. Explore online forums, communities, and websites dedicated to Kali Linux and ethical hacking. The official Kali Linux documentation is an excellent starting point (https://www.kali.org/docs/). Also, there are many books, video tutorials, and online courses that can help you dive deeper into the subject.
Remember, Kali Linux is a powerful tool that should be used responsibly and ethically. Always ensure you have proper authorization and follow legal guidelines while using it. Don't go booting all of your neighbors off of their wifi and potentially messing up their hardware.
I hope this beginner's guide at the very least helps you get started with Kali Linux. Also remember, Kali is a version of Linux, and you can do everything just the same in other versions. Kali is just solely targeted towards individuals that use it for exactly what it is. It is arguably better to learn a more user friendly and "everyone" oriented version of Linux first. I will soon make another post detailing some of the most common tools used and a description of what they do. Have a good one✌