Installing Kali Linux for Your Lab

🚀 Kali Linux Installation Module

In this module, we’ll install Kali Linux. This VM will also be used in the next module to complete the pfSense setup.

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⬇️ Download Kali Linux

Go to the official Kali Linux website and download the 64-bit Recommended Installer:
https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-installer-images

The file is around 4GB, so download time may vary.

Once complete, you’ll have an .iso file.

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🖥️ Create Kali Linux VM

1. Open VirtualBox and click New in the toolbar.
2. Name the VM, choose a storage location, and leave the ISO image option empty.
3. Set:
   • Type: Linux
   • Version: Debian (64-bit)
4. Click Next.

1. Keep default settings (unless you prefer KDE and have the resources). Click Next.

1. Set disk size to 80GB and click Next.

1. Review and click Finish.

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🗂️ Organize VMs in Groups

• Right-click the Kali Linux VM → Move to Group → [New]
• Rename group to Management.

• Create another group for firewall VM: select both groups (Ctrl+Click), right-click → Move to Group → [New]
• Rename to Home Lab.

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⚙️ Configure Kali Linux VM Settings

1. Select Kali Linux VM → Settings

1. In System → Motherboard:
   • Boot Order: Hard Disk (top), then Optical
   • Uncheck Floppy

1. In System → Processor: Enable PAE/NX.

1. In Display → Screen: Increase Video Memory to 128 MB.

1. In Storage:
   • Click empty disk under Controller: IDE
   • Click disk icon on the right → select downloaded Kali .iso

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🌐 Network Configuration

• Go to Network → Adapter 1
• Attached to: Internal Network
• Network Name: LAN 0
• Adapter Type: Paravirtualized Network (virtio-net)

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🛠️ Install Kali Linux

Warning:
Make sure your pfSense VM is running before starting Kali installation.

1. Select Kali Linux VM → Click Start
2. In installer menu, choose Graphical Install

1. Choose your language, location, and keyboard layout.

1. Enter hostname (changeable later), leave domain empty, continue.

1. Set username and password for login.

1. Choose timezone and continue.

2. Select disk (usually sda) and continue.

1. Choose Guided - use entire disk → continue.

1. Choose All files in one partition → continue.

1. Confirm partition changes → continue.

1. After base install, choose desktop environment:
   • GNOME: visually rich
   • XFCE: lightweight and fast
   • KDE Plasma: feature-rich, needs ≥ 2 cores & 4GB RAM

1. Wait for install to finish → click Continue to reboot.

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🔑 Log In & Final Setup

• After reboot, enter your password at login.

• Kali Linux auto-installs Guest Additions in VM.

• Press Right Ctrl + F for fullscreen toggle.

• Open Terminal, run:

ip a

🌀 Update Kali Linux

Open the Terminal and run the following command to update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

When prompted, type Y to continue the update.

After the update, run the command to remove unused packages:

sudo apt autoremove

Troubleshoot Black Screen on Boot
If you see a black screen after booting Kali Linux, it might be related to a recent update. This issue can appear randomly.

Try changing the “Graphics Controller” to VBoxSVGA in Settings → Display → Screen.

Another fix is to power off the VM and restart it. You may need to restart it 2–3 times for it to work properly.

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In the next module, we will access the pfSense Web UI and complete the remaining configuration.

👉 Configuring pfSense Firewall for Security