How to install Kali Linux

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Whether you are interested in penetration testing, ethical hacking, or offensive distros, Kali Linux is one of the most invaluable tools. It comes with pre-installed programs that enable hacking easy to carry out. It also comes in both 32-bits and 64-bits and it is based on Debian Wheezy.

In the steps that follow, we would install Kali. But we first look at the minimum specs required of your computer to install the software.

How to install Kali Linux on your computer

Minimum Software Requirements

The minimum requirements that Kali Linux recommends are not really much and it can run on most of the basic computers. If you have at least 20 GB of free hard disk space and 1 or 2 GB of RAM memory available you are good to go. To start the install of the Linux distro you need a USB or CD to boot the installation.

  • At least 20 GB of disk space for Kali Linux
  • At least 1 GB RAM although 2 GB or more is recommended
  • USB or CD-DVD Drive boot support

If your computer meets all of these requirements, then you are set for installation.

Steps for Kali Linux Installation

The first three steps would help us complete the prerequisites for installation.

Step 1: First download the Kali Linux ISO.

Step 2: Copy the Kali Linux you downloaded into a DVD; alternatively, you can save the Kali Linux in a USB.

Step 3: Set your computer’s booting to launch from the installation medium of your choice (USB or DVD).

Installing Kali Linux on Hard Disk

Step 4: Upon booting the system, a Kali booting interface would launch. There are choices to make from Graphical to Text-Mode install. For this demonstration, we go with the GUI install.

Step 5: Choose your language and country location. Then do your keyboard configuration.

Step 6: Select your geographic location.

Step 7: The installer will duplicate the image of your hard disk, analyzes your network interfaces, and requests that you enter a system hostname. For our demonstration, we have used “kali” as our hostname.

Step 8: (Optional) Provide a default domain name for your system to use.

Step 9: You will provide a full name for a non-root user (for non-admin activities) for the computer.

Step 10: Based on the full name you have entered, a default user ID would be created. This is adjustable in the future if you want.

Step 11: You would be prompted to set your timezone.

Step 12: The installer would examine your disk and present you with 4 options to choose from. For this demonstration, we go with the “Guided – use entire disk” option. It takes some experience to handle the “Manual” option.

Step 13: Choose the disk that you want to partition.

Step 14: Based on your preference you could have separate files in different partitions. But if you do not care, then you may just put all files and directories in a single partition—the default configuration.

Step 15: You get to preview the disk configuration you have set up. Note that once the installer makes the changes, you cannot undo them. The installer would start working once you click “Continue”.

Step 16: Go on to configure a network mirror. Select “Yes” and continue.

Step 17: Install GRUB

Final Step: Afterwards, boot the computer again, this time into your newly installed Kali Linux!

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