By: Doktor Frankenstein
November 6, 2015
Kali Linux 2.0: Alternate Install and Dual-Boot 'How To'
By: Doktor Frankenstein
November 6, 2015
Installation Minimum requirements:
- A minimum of 10 GB disk space for the Kali Linux install
- For i386 and amd64 architectures, a minimum of 512MB RAM
- CD-DVD Drive / USB boot support
This is for anyone who has installed Kali 2.0 and has had issues with it running like a slug, seen their desktop randomly freezing, and who may want a faster working Kali System.
Kali is, in my opinion, the best security OS right up until V 1.10. I would have stayed at that version, but everyone is being forced to use 2.0. I've been using Kali since Backtrack and through all the versions, 2.0 is the worst for the OS having a ton of new random problems.
My guess is they had a stable version in 1.10 so they decided to work on the GUI and make Kali more user friendly for less experienced users. In making Kali look pretty, it also brought about a lot of new problems that came with the nice GUI.
First thing to do is download Kali light 32bit or 64bit - whatever is the one for your system. 32bit & 64bit Operating Systems will work on 64bit systems, but 64bit OS’s won't work on 32bit Systems.
64bit PC architecture x86_64: 64 bit computer systems need a 64bit CPU. To find out in a Linux terminal, type:
$ less /proc/cpuinfo
In Windows, download CPUZ install and run it.
Kali Light is a small version with hardly any awesome toys. But, don't worry. I'll show you how to put anything you want in your system and leave out the stuff you don't. This cuts down on bloat and that can lead to instability.
The Light version doesn’t have a graphic intensive desktop; it uses XFCE and, because of the way I'm showing you how to put the OS in, it won't auto start a bunch of things that make Kali run slower than it should. Download the ISO to a folder somewhere on your computer.
[:::Kali Linux ISO images:::]
[:::Partition software:::]
Linux: GParted partition manager
Windows: EASEUS Partition Master
If you have Windows already installed and you’re going to do a dual boot, download, install, and run EaseUS Partition Master. Right click the C: drive and select "Resize/Move partition":
If you have one hard drive with an operating system on it, which is currently taking up 100% of the disk, you’ll want to shrink the space so you can make room for Kali. A minimum of 10GB disk space is recommended for the install, but I say at least 30GB or more is better.Position the mouse pointer on the right partition handle. Drag the handle left-wards to shrink the hard drive down at least 30GB. [10GB is the smallest you can make the partition.]Hit ‘OK’ then click on ‘Apply’ at the top left side. Wait until it shrinks and you’re done. It becomes an unallocated space.
The reason to use an unallocated space is when the install is happening. The easiest choice of “Guided use largest continuous free space" can be used. The same applies to using Gparted if you boot Kali Live. Also, Gparted has a Live boot version to partition your hard drive if you don’t have an OS on your system. As long as you have 10 to 30GB’s or more of unallocated space to install Kali, it doesn’t matter how it gets done.Burn The Kali Linux ISO to DVD or copy it to USB. Burning to a DVD should be something you already know how to do blindfolded, ball-gaged, with one arm tied to your ankle.
To copy it to a USB stick in Windows, you’ll need to download Win32 Disk Imager:
Put in your USB stick that has 2GB or more free space, [Ignore the warning about formatting if it shows up]. Then install and start Win32 Disk Imager. Select the Kali Light ISO. Check very carefully that the USB stick is listed in ‘Device’ on the top right of Win32 Disk Imager.
If you don’t see any ISO’s, set it to view all files while you’re navigating.
Again, make sure the USB stick is the one that’s going to be used. I’ve formatted a hard drive that was connected with USB by mistake. [I got all my files back but it was such a pain and something that didn’t need to happen].
The best way is to have only the USB stick that you’re using be the only one connected. When you’re ready click on write, confirm the ‘are you sure you want to continue?’
Click on ‘Yes‘ and wait until all the files are copied.
When it's finished, check the USB stick to see if the files were written.
I like to use powerISO when I’m making a USB boot-able OS. If you’re tempted to use Multi-boot USB software, it won't work with Kali hard drive installs because the files have to be in the root directory. Most of those types of software make a folder per OS to keep them separated. They’re great for having multiple different OS’s on one USB stick and you can have both Windows and Linux booting side by side like cats and dogs living together.
Plug your USB drive in and Reboot your computer. If it doesn't boot go into your BIOS, find out why its not booting. Some suggestions to try: Fix the boot order, turn off safe boot temporarily or set it to boot other devices. Perhaps there's a setting to boot to USB; there might be a boot override menu. Most BIOS are similar but not the same. When it has booted, go to Graphical install:
If you are having problems and errors installing Kali from the ”Graphical Install” menu, boot into Kali Light Live and from the menu, choose:System Tools–Install Kali Linux and follow the steps in this guide. This clears up a lot of errors that can happen without booting into the system.Select your language:
Select your location:
Keyboard selection time! Woohoo! Exciting!
The installer will copy the image to your hard drive, and probe your network interfaces .If the setup detects more than one NIC, it may ask you which one to use for the install.If the chosen NIC is wireless, you'll be asked for your network information.If there isn’t DHCP running on the network, it will ask you to manually enter the network information.If your NIC isn't detected, you'll the drivers for it when prompted. Plan B is to make a custom Kali ISO with them slipstreamed.
After that, enter a hostname for your system. It can be anything you can think of. I use the name of the computer system that controlled the machines in Terminator. The hostname could be a Mexican band name like Paracoccidioidomicosisproctitissarcomucosis.
The default domain name is optional. I usually leave it blank.
Select a password. Make sure your password is a strong one or at least don't make it easy.
Next is your time zone:
Then the installer will ask to setup your partitions. Choose: 'Guided - use the largest continuous free space'.Because the hard drive has an unallocated partition, the installer will automatically choose that one and format it with a swap.
It will format EXT4 with a Swap from the unallocated partition. If you're using the entire hard drive, choose “Guided – use entire disk”This will format the whole hard drive with EXT4 and a Swap.
When this comes up I usually choose 'all files in one partition' The 2nd choice is if you want your home directory on a separate partition. Pick one that excites you the most.If you're not sure, just choose the top one. 'All files in one partition'
Make sure everything is all good and review the installation settings before you click "yes" to “write changes to disk?”
Next, configure network mirrors. You might need to enter proxy information.
Next, you'll need to install GRUB, which stands for GRand Unified Bootloader. GNU GRUB is a bootloader that can load a bunch of operating systems like Linux, DOS, Windows, or BSD.It supports an unlimited number of boot entries. GRUB can boot from networks, has an interactive command interface, supports Logical Block Address mode, and can be run from or be installed to any device. It can load operating systems from just as many locations.GRUB will detect any other operating systems you have on your computer. If it wants you to pick the hard drive to install the bootloader on, choose the same hard drive as your OS install. Usually. it's the first hard drive in the list. ‘sda’ [If you’re in doubt, pick the top one in the list].
Make sure to pull the USB stick or remove the DVD from the drive. Click on 'Continue' to reboot into your new Kali operating system.
After you've booted into your new shiny Kali Linux OS, there are a few things to do to make it all that. First thing is to check your sources.list.Type in the Terminal:nano /etc/apt/sources.list
Copy and paste this in the sources.list to replace the text that's there to make sure its all good.apt-get clean
apt-get update
apt-get install synaptic
After it's installed, go to 'Applications' => 'System' => 'Administration' => 'Synaptic Package Manager'After it starts, click on search and type: kali-linuxIn the list, there will be all the meta-packages. You can pick what you want and leave the stuff you don't want.kali-linux-gpu - GPU utilities are very powerful but need special hardware in order to function correctly.kali-linux-pwtools - contains over 40 different password cracking utilities as well as the GPU tools.kali-linux-web - dozens of tools related to web application hacking.kali-linux-wireless - all the wireless tools you’ll need in one easy to install packagekali-linux-forensic - This only contains the forensics tools in Kali.kali-linux-top10 - Top 10 Security Tools self-explanatorykali-linux-voip - conduct VoIP testing and research with 20+ toolskali-linux-rfid - RFID research and exploitationkali-linux-sdr - contains a large selection of tools for Software Defined Radio hackingThe list of meta-packages and what they contain are at this address:Kali-Meta-PackagesI would advise against installing kali-linux-all. It defeats the purpose of all this crap I'm writing.I have most of the meta-packages installed but not all of them and my computers run great. Fast stable and nothing is broken.I have Mate desktop installed. I highly recommend it. It runs just as fast and stable as LXDE, but I think it looks better and is easy to configure.Stay away from Gnome, Cinnamon, or any other heavy graphic resource hungry desktop that might cause slug like behavior in Kali Linux 2.0. The whole purpose is better, stronger, faster. Bionic OS!Mate Desktop environment; type in the Terminal:apt-get install gufw
Installing Gedit is probably a good idea. It's a good editor. You can edit text files and any source code (it will highlight the code accordingly).Type in the terminal:apt-get install gedit
Tor is an open network that helps you defend against network surveillance. It protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays all around the world.
Type in the terminal:apt-get install tor
Running Tor with Proxychains is awesome and it's already configured to use Tor by default. Go to this site. It has some really good info. It shows you how to get around Tor's endpoint blocking so you can scan with Nmap through the Tor network using Proxychains:shellhacks.com
Lazy-Kali script is a simple bash script that adds quite a few tools to Kali Linux. Download Lazy Kali from: Lazy-Kali-ScriptHere are some things it adds to Kali:AngryIP, Scanner, Terminator, Xchat, Unicornscan, Nautilus, Open Terminal, Simple-Ducky, Subterfuge, Ghost-Phisher, Yamas, PwnStar.In the Terminal Navigate to the directory its in and type:./lazykali.sh
If you get a message 'Permission Denied' type:chmod +x lazykali.sh
and then type:./lazykali.sh
Type Y to install the script. If you need more info, go to this site: Kali for HackersThere's a ton of really cool stuff to do with Kali Linux. Here are some really good links:- Kali Linux 2.0 Top 10 post install tips by Offensive Security: offensive-security.com
- Top 11 things to do after installing Kali Linux 2.0: iexplo1t.com
- Kali Linux Forums: forums.kali.org
