Installing Kali with Virtualbox

Author: Stefan Waldvogel

​​Installation of Kali Linux

This small guide shows you how you can install Kali Linux with VirtualBox. If you follow the steps, it is a very fast way to spin up a machine.

1. download VirtualBox
You can download VirtualBox from here: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
and install it.
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2. download a Kali Linux (if you want to have a different Kali-version as backup)
The quickest and easiest way to install Kali is the way via an import of a pre-built Kali Linux. You can download it here:

https://www.offensive-security.com/kali-linux-vm-vmware-virtualbox-image-download/


It is important that you pick a VirtualBox image and not a VMWare image.
Move the download to a good place with a lot of storage space.
Alternative, download link for older versions:
http://cdimage.kali.org/
​The installation process for these files is different, because it is an iso. You have to install it similarly to a CD / DVD installation.
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3. import Kali Linux
This step is simple. Start VirtualBox and import the download
Import settings:
Here, you have to choose the wanted image:
In this picture, it is a 2020.3 but you will use a newer version (2021.1 or higher).
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​4. Change some settings
Now you should see your Kali Linux on the left side, but have to change some settings, first. Open the properties and change the settings for PAE/NX
RAM and Cores: It is up to you to assign these values, but for one task (The Nessus lab) you need at least 8GB RAM. For other labs, you need less RAM. I am fine with 4 cores and 6GB RAM. My system is old, I use a 5 year old laptop with a SSD and 24GB RAM ($1400). You do not need a very expensive system to perform tests and run multiple VMs at the same time. A fast SSD will increase the performance.
Sometimes you have to change the USB settings to USB 1.1.
5. Start Kali
Click on the machine and start it
The machine will boot up and after some seconds you can log in. The standard username and password for Kali-Linux is kali/kali.
© 2021. This work is licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license​