How to Install Kali on VPS

Kali Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system primarily used for penetration testing and security auditing. Installing Kali on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) can be a great way to run security assessments without impacting your local environment. This guide outlines the steps to install Kali Linux on a VPS.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure you have the following:

VPS Access: You need a VPS account with SSH access. Providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, or Vultr offer easy setups for Kali Linux.

Kali Linux ISO File: Download the latest Kali Linux ISO from the official Kali Linux website.

Sufficient Resources: Ensure your VPS meets the minimum system requirements for Kali, including:

At least 1GB RAM (2GB recommended)

20GB disk space (or more)

A compatible CPU

Step 1: Create a New VPS

Choose a VPS Provider: Select a provider and create an account.

Deploy a New Instance: Log in to your VPS management console and create a new VPS instance. Select an appropriate plan that meets the resource requirements for Kali Linux.

Select an Operating System: Some VPS providers offer pre-configured images for Kali Linux. If available, select it; otherwise, you can install it manually using an ISO file.

Set Up the Instance: Configure additional settings, such as SSH keys for secure access and firewall rules, if necessary. Launch the VPS.

Step 2: Access the VPS

SSH Into the VPS: Once your VPS is running, you can access it using SSH. Open a terminal (Linux/Mac) or an SSH client (like PuTTY for Windows). Run the following command, replacing username and your-vps-ip with your actual username and VPS IP address:
bash
Copy code
ssh username@your-vps-ip

Authenticate: Enter your password or provide the private key if you set up SSH keys.

Step 3: Prepare the VPS for Installation

Update the System: Before installing Kali, ensure your VPS is up to date. Run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Required Packages: Install essential packages that will help with the installation. Run:
sudo apt install wget curl

Step 4: Download and Install Kali Linux

Download the Kali Linux ISO: If you did not select a pre-configured Kali Linux image during VPS setup, download the ISO using wget:

wget https://cdimage.kali.org/kali-2024.1/kali-linux-2024.1-installer-amd64.iso

Replace the URL with the latest version from the Kali downloads page.

Install Kali Using a Virtual Machine: If your VPS supports KVM, you can use tools like virt-install to create a virtual machine:

sudo virt-install --name kali --ram 2048 --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/kali.img,size=20 --vcpus 1 --os-type linux --os-variant debian10 --network network=default --graphics none --location /path/to/kali-linux-2024.1-installer-amd64.iso --extra-args 'console=ttyS0,115200n8 serial'

Follow the Installation Prompts: The Kali installer will start. Follow the on-screen prompts to set your language, time zone, and partitioning scheme.

Step 5: Configure the System

Initial Configuration: After the installation completes, reboot the VPS. Access the system using SSH again.

Update Kali: Once logged in, update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Additional Tools: Kali Linux comes with numerous penetration testing tools, but you may want to install additional packages as needed. Use:

sudo apt install [package-name]

Step 6: Secure Your VPS

Set Up a Firewall: Consider configuring a firewall (like ufw) to protect your VPS:

sudo ufw allow OpenSSH

sudo ufw enable

Create a Non-Root User: For security purposes, create a new user account and grant it sudo privileges:

sudo adduser newusername

sudo usermod -aG sudo newusername

Disable Root Login: Edit the SSH configuration to disable root login for added security:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Set PermitRootLogin no and restart the SSH service:

sudo systemctl restart ssh

Conclusion

Installing Kali Linux on a VPS allows you to harness its powerful tools for penetration testing and security analysis. By following these steps, you can successfully deploy Kali Linux, configure it to your needs, and secure your VPS environment. Always remember to use Kali responsibly and within legal boundaries.