Installing Kali

Most of the stuff in here assumes you're running or have access to a Kali installation. There are exceptions, as I like to use Docker containers in many instances, since those are so portable. However, even where that is the case, I've usually done most of the testing or exploration on a Kali installation.
There are two reasons for this:

1. Kali comes pre-loaded with tons of software, tools, scripts, and other resources that you'd just install anyway, and
2. It's just cool.

"Bare metal" install on your laptop

Hardware Requirements

It can be fun to run Kali natively on your laptop, but be forewarned, that you'll often run into issues, incompatibilities, and quirks because of how Kali is setup versus a “normal” Linux OS.

The on-board Nvidia chips can cause headaches when installing Linux, so looking for a compatible (and stable!!) distro is very important.

Don't doubt yourself!

• When the dock did not work, I assumed it was an incompatibility with the software. This was a known hardware issue with the T480 and it required a reset.
• One of my monitors went out, and again, I assumed it was a problem with Linux, since it seemed to work sometimes. I tested the cables, and switched them. Finally, I switched out the monitor and the new one worked fine.

Kernel

• 4.15.0.45+ worked fine for the T480

Software

Java

openjdk version 1.8.0 or greater is likely needed for some programs you'll want to run, including LibreOffice if this is the main workstation.

Basic additional packages

There are some core utilities and tools that are not necessarily included in a default Linux install. The missing such as curl or even ping. Run this command to

sudo apt install openjdk-8-jre gnome-tweaks emacs byobu htop build-essential python3 python3-pip nmap ubuntu-restricted-extras inetutils-ping curl

Metapackages

Sometimes a full install is not required. This is where Kali's Metapackages come in. These include packages from the various areas of Kali tools.

Tools

• kali-tools-gpu: Tools which benefit from having access to GPU hardware
• kali-tools-hardware: Hardware hacking tools
• kali-tools-crypto-stego: Tools based around Cryptography & Steganography
• kali-tools-fuzzing: For fuzzing protocols
• kali-tools-802-11: 802.11 (Commonly known as “Wi-Fi”)
• kali-tools-bluetooth: For targeting Bluetooth devices
• kali-tools-rfid: Radio-Frequency IDentification tools
• kali-tools-sdr: Software-Defined Radio tools
• kali-tools-voip: Voice over IP tools
• kali-tools-windows-resources: Any resources which can be executed on a Windows hosts

Menu

• kali-tools-information-gathering: Used for Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) & information gathering
• kali-tools-vulnerability: Vulnerability assessments tools
• kali-tools-web: Designed doing web applications attacks
• kali-tools-database: Based around any database attacks
• kali-tools-passwords: Helpful for password cracking attacks – Online & offline
• kali-tools-wireless: All tools based around Wireless protocols – 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID & SDR
• kali-tools-reverse-engineering: For reverse engineering binaries
• kali-tools-exploitation: Commonly used for doing exploitation
• kali-tools-social-engineering: Aimed for doing social engineering techniques
• kali-tools-sniffing-spoofing: Any tools meant for sniffing & spoofing
• kali-tools-post-exploitation: Techniques for post exploitation stage
• kali-tools-forensics: Forensic tools – Live & Offline
• kali-tools-reporting: Reporting tools

Others

• kali-linux-large: Our previous default tools for amd64/i386 images
• kali-linux-everything: Every metapackage and tool listed here
• kali-tools-top10: The most commonly used tools
• kali-desktop-live: Used during a live session when booted from the image

Install Kali in Windows Services for Linux (WSL)

Kali on Windows has a base install “kex” and this can be run in some different modes, such as seamless, in a window, etc.

Install instructions

Launch the Kali terminal from the normal Windows start menus

Launch kex with something like, which includes windowed mode and sound support
kex --win -s

Seamless mode merges Kali with your Windows environment
kex --sl -s

Build a Kali Hackbox in AWS

Cloud formation template for a Kali EC2 instance by ehelbig1

Other things

Use VirtualEnv whenever installing a specific python tool, because it will help.