Hacker's Basics : Setting Up Your Virtual Lab

In this tutorial i will give you a walk through for the process of installing kali linux on Vmware Player, a free virtual machine manager that can be downloaded from Vmware Player.

STEP #1

First we need to download the kali's latest iso from here. If you have a 64-bit capable system, then download 64 bit iso (Due to performance reasons).

Select the download method according to your preference, not hard set rules for that.

STEP #2

When  your download is complete fire up VMware Player and select create a new virtual machine.

STEP #3

In the window that pops up select, Installer disc image file(iso). And then, browse and select the iso you just downloaded.

once you have selected you iso, click next.

STEP #4

In the next step, select a name for the virtual machine. It can be anything of your preference. click Next after doing so.

STEP #5

In this step you'll have to decide the size of you kali, you''ll see 20GB as recommended but, I suggest to allocate atleast 30GB, since your OS tends to expand over time (Due to updates and all). Also, select the Store virtual disk as a single file option after you have decided the size of your kali in the same window.

STEP #6

After clicking next button in the previous step, you'll see this window

Click on Customize Hardware... button.

Now, you'll be presented with the hardware window

  

Select memory in the left pane and assign atleast  512MB memory to your virtual machine.

NOTE :-

You should give your virtual machine a MAXIMUM of half of the RAM installed on your computer 

Moving on, click on Network Adapter in the left pane. On the right side, move the dot to the Bridged (top) option. Now click on the Configure Adapters button.

In the small window that pops up, uncheck all the boxes except for the one next to your regular network adapter and hit OK.

You can now click on Close at the bottom of the Hardware window and then click on Finish in the Wizard.

STEP # 7

After clicking finish in the previous step, a new virtual machine will be added to your VMware library.

Now, select your virtual machine in the left pane by clicking on it and the click on PLAY VIRTUAL MACHINE in the right pane. This will fire up your kali for the first time.

STEP #8

At the boot menu, select graphical install by scrolling down with the help of arrow keys.

STEP #9

In the next few steps you will be asked your preferred language, your location, keyboard format.

Select them according to your preferences.

STEP #10

Wait until Kali finishes detecting the hardware on your computer. During this, you might be presented with this screen:

Just hit Continue and select Do not configure the network at this time on the next screen.

STEP #11

You will now be asked to supply a hostname, which is kind of like a computer name. You can enter anything you want, when you’re done. hit Continue.

STEP #12

Now, you will be asked to enter a password for the root account. Make sure you select a strong password and also the one which you can remember. Because, loosing it lead to re-installing kali.

Click Continue after you have entered the password.

In the next step will be asked your time zone, select it and click Continue.

STEP #13

Wait until Kali detects the disk partitions. When you are presented with the next step, select Guided – use entire disk, then click Continue.

 

The installer will now confirm that you want to use this partition. Hit Continue.

One more question about the partition will appear. Select the option that says All files in one partition and hit Continue.

 

 

STEP #14

Confirm that you want to make these changes by selecting Finish partitioning and write changes to disk. Then hit Continue.

The last question! Confirm that you really want to make these changes by moving the dot to Yes and hitting Continue. 

 

 

Kali will now start installing! Wait until it has completed, this might take upwards of 30 minutes.

STEP #15

Alright, Kali has finished installing and now you are presented with a window that asks you about a network mirror. You can just select No and hit Continue.

 

  

STEP #16

After a few minutes, the installer will ask you if you want to install GRUB boot loader. Click Yes and Continue.

 

STEP # 17

The installation should now complete, and you’ll be shown with the following notification message:

 

Click Continue.

After it restarts, login to it with the user name root and the password that you created earlier.

You’ve successfully installed Kali Linux in VMware!