How to install the latest Kali Linux

Kali Linux is the leading security and penetration testing Linux distribution. It is used by thousands of professionals to find security vulnerabilities and other problems. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to get Kali working on your computer.

Download the Kali Linux ISO

Kali Linux needs to be downloaded from the internet in the form of an ISO file from the official website. To get your hands on it, head over to this link and download either the Kali Linux 64-bit or the 32-bit release of the operating system.

Note: Kali Linux supports downloading via Torrent. Select the Torrent link next to either the 64-bit or 32-bit release of the OS on the download page.

Alternatively, if you are using Linux and are downloading Kali Linux, you can grab the ISO file directly through the terminal window. To start the download via terminal, use the wget command below.

wget https://cdimage.kali.org/kali-2019.4/kali-linux-2019.4-amd64.iso

wget https://cdimage.kali.org/kali-2019.4/kali-linux-2019.4-i386.iso

Making a bootable Kali USB

With the Kali Linux ISO file is done downloading, it is time to create a bootable USB with Kali Linux on it. There are many ways to create bootable USB devices; however, in this guide, we will be focusing on Etcher. The reason? Etcher is cross-platform and works the same on Mac, Linux, and Windows.

To get your hands on the Etcher app, click this link here. Then, install the app to your OS, launch it, and follow the step-by-step instructions below to get a bootable USB working.

Step 1: Find the “Select Image” button and click on it with the mouse. As soon as this button is clicked, a pop-up window will appear on the screen. Use this window to locate the Kali Linux ISO file on your computer.

Step 2: Plug in the USB flash drive, and find the “Select Drive” button. Click on “Select Drive,” and use the menu to select your USB flash drive in the menu.

Step 3: Find the “Flash!” button, and click on it with the mouse to create your Kali Linux bootable USB. Keep in mind that this process may take a bit of time to complete, so be patient!

Installing Kali Linux

To start the installation of Kali Linux, plug in the USB device and reboot the computer into its BIOS. Configure it to load from the USB. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1: On the boot screen for Kali, use the Up/Down arrows on the keyboard to select “Graphical install.” Then, press the Enter key to load up the installer.

Step 2: In the language selector for the installer, select the language that you speak, and press the “Continue” button to move to the next page.

Step 3: In the location selector in the installer, select where you live to determine your time zone, and press “Continue.”

Step 4: On the keyboard selection page, click on your desired keyboard layout and click the “Continue button to move on.

Step 5: When you make it to the “Configure the network” page, fill out your hostname (AKA your computer’s name). Select the “Continue” button to move to the next page.

Step 6: Set up the domain you’d like your Kali Linux OS to use. Or, leave it blank. Click “Continue” to move on.

Step 7: On the “Set up users and passwords” page, you will first be prompted to set up a root password. Ensure that this password is strong and memorable. Then, click the “Continue” button to move on.

Step 8: At “Configure the clock,” you must choose the time zone Kali will use. Select the time zone from the list available and click “Continue” to confirm your choice.

Step 9: On “Partition disks,” you will be presented with various hard drive partitioning setups. For best results, choose “Guided – use entire disk.” Or, if you’re an advanced Linux user, click “Manual” and set it up yourself.

Step 10: After choosing a partition style, you will be asked to choose a hard drive. Select the drive you wish to set up Kali on and click “Continue.”

Then, on the UI, choose “All files in one partition (recommended for new users) and click “Continue” again.

Step 11: Select “Finish partitioning and write changes to disk” and “Continue” to confirm the automatic partition setup Kali has proposed. Or, modify it if you so choose.

Step 12: Allow the Kali Linux installer to set up the operating system on your computer. Keep in mind that this installation may take some time.

Step 13: After the initial installation is complete, the installer prompts you to configure the package manager. On the page that says “Use a network mirror,” select “Yes,” and click “Continue.”

Step 14: The last step of the installation for Kali Linux is setting up the GRUB bootloader. Under “Install the Grub boot loader to the master boot record?” click “Yes,” followed by “Continue.”