Explore the setup and installation of  Kali Linux in a simulated environment

 

Business Scenario

Welcome!

You are a cybersecurity trainee at RedCore Cyber Labs, assigned to set up a secure testing environment for ethical hacking. Your task is to install a virtual machine using VMware Workstation or Oracle VirtualBox and deploy Kali Linux. By completing the installation and exploring its tools, you create a safe lab environment to practice cybersecurity techniques without affecting real systems.

Pre-Lab Preparation

Topic : Linux & Kali Linux Environment

1) Introduction to Kali Linux and Installation using VirtualBox/VMware.

2) Understanding the Kali Linux environment.

3) Linux file system structure.

 

Task 1: Configure a virtual environment using  VMware workstation / VirtualBox

1

Install VMware Workstation

Go to google and Search VMware Workstation download.

a

Option: 1

Open VMware Workstation download page.

b

Click Download Now.

c

Click Register on Broadcom page.

d

Enter email and complete CAPTCHA.

e

Enter verification code and continue.

f

Complete the registration form.

g

Registration completed successfully.

h

Build your Broadcom profile.

i

Open the Broadcom Support portal.

j

Enter your username/email.

k

Enter your password.

l

Search VMware Workstation Pro.

m

Select VMware Workstation Pro.

n

Open the downloads page.

o

Select the required release.

p

Accept terms and conditions.

q

Verify before download.

r

Submit the compliance form.

s

Download VMware Workstation Pro.

t

Start the VMware Workstation Pro setup and Accept the license agreement.

u

Review compatible setup information.

v

Select shortcut preferences.

w

Choose the installation location.

x

Configure user experience settings.

y

Click Install to begin setup and wait for VMware installation to complete.

z

After the Installation You Can Able To See VMware Workstation On Your Home Window

Option: 2

2

Install Oracle Virtual Box

Download VirtualBox

a

  • Go to the official website:
    https://www.virtualbox.org

  • Click Downloads

  • Choose your OS:

    • Windows → Windows hosts

    • Mac → macOS hosts

    • Linux → Linux distributions

Run the Installer

b

  • Open the downloaded .exe file

  • Click Next

  • Keep default settings (recommended for beginners)

  • Click Next → Yes → Install

  Note: Internet may disconnect briefly during installation           (normal behavior)

Complete Installation

c

  • Wait for installation to finish

  • Click Finish

  • VirtualBox will launch automatically

Install Extension Pack (Important)

d

  • Go back to VirtualBox download page

  • Download Extension Pack (same version)

  • Double-click the file

  • Click Install → Agree

 This enables:

  • USB support
  • Better performance
  • Full-screen mode

Create Your First Virtual Machine (VM)

e

  • Open VirtualBox

  • Click New

 Enter:

  • Name: Ubuntu / Kali Linux / Windows

  • Type: Linux / Windows

  • Version: Select correct version

  • Click Next

Allocate Resources

f

  • RAM: Minimum 2 GB (4 GB recommended)

  • CPU: 1–2 cores

  • Storage: 20 GB or more

  • Click Next → Create

Load Operating System (ISO File)

g

 Download an OS ISO file:

  • Ubuntu
  • Kali Linux
  • Windows 10

In VirtualBox:

  • Select your VM → Click Start
  • Choose the ISO file

Install OS Inside VirtualBox

h

 Follow normal OS installation steps:

  • Language selection
  • Disk setup
  • Username & password

Task 1: Successfully install and run Kali Linux in a safe, controlled setup

1

Download Kali Linux ISO

Visit official Kali Linux website (Offensive Security)

a

Download latest Kali Linux ISO file

b

Save it to your system

c

2

Virtual Machine Setup (Before Boot)

  • You created a VM named Kali Linux

  • Allocated:

    1. RAM: 4 GB

    2. CPU: 2 cores

    3. Disk: 30 GB

  • Network: Bridged (connects VM to same network as host)

     This step prepares the system to install Kali Linux.

Open VMware and click Create New Virtual Machine.

a

Select Typical setup.

b

Choose ISO image file option.

c

Select the Kali Linux ISO file.

d

Confirm the ISO selection.

e

Select Linux as OS type.

f

Enter the VM name as Kali Linux.

g

Set the virtual disk size.

h

Review the VM settings.

i

Open Network Adapter settings.

j

Select the network mode.

k

Click Finish to create the VM.

l

3

Boot Menu (Installer Selection)

  • Screen shows:

    1. Graphical Install

    2. Install

    3. Advanced Options

 Select: Graphical Install

 This starts a user-friendly installation interface.

 

Select the Kali Linux VM.

a

Start the Kali Linux installer.

b

4

Select Language

  • Choose system language (e.g., English)

 This sets:

  • Installer language

  • Default system language

5

Select Location

  • Choose country (e.g., India)

6

Configure Keyboard

  • Choose keyboard layout (e.g., American English)

7

Loading Installation Components

  • System loads required files from ISO

8

Configure Network (Hostname)

  • Enter hostname (e.g., kali)

9

Configure Network (Domain Name)

  • You can:

    1. Leave blank (for personal use)

    2. OR enter domain (e.g., lab.local)

10

Set User Full Name

  • Enter full name (e.g., Kali Linux or your name)

11

Set Username

  • Enter username (e.g., kali)

12

Set User Password

  • You first entered a password (kali@123)

13

Starting Disk Partitioning

  • System shows: Starting up the partitioner

2

Task Scheduler (Scheduled Tasks)

Perform:

Open: taskschd.msc

a

Create a basic task:

b

Name: LabTask

c

Trigger: At Logon

d

  • Open Trigger settings.
  • Configure trigger timing.
  • Select “At log on”.
  • Click OK to save.

Action: Start Program

e

  • Add notepad.exe as the program.
  • Verify the task is created successfully.

  • Click OK to save the action.

3

Windows Registry (Persistence Check)

Perform:

Open: regedit

a

Navigate: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

b

  • Navigate to the Software folder.

  • Open Microsoft

  • Open Microsoft\Windows

  • Open Windows\CurrentVersion.

Create:

Name: TestRun

Value: notepad.exe

 

 

c

  • Select the Run registry key.

  • Right-click inside the Run key.
  • Select New → String Value.
  • Create a new registry entry and rename it as Lab Task.
  • Open the Modify String option.
  • Set the value to notepad.exe and click OK.
  • Verify the new registry entry is created successfully.

Result:

Startup persistence mechanism created

4

Event Logs (Event Viewer Analysis)

Perform:

Open: eventvwr

a

Navigate: Windows logs

b

  • This is the Windows Event Viewer showing logs under Windows Logs → Application.

  • It displays events like Information, Warning, and Error with details such as date, source, and Event ID.

  • The bottom pane shows detailed information for a selected event (Event ID 16384 – Security-SPP service).

Now go to Application

 

Great job!
You have successfully completed your lab on Advanced Windows Tasks and System Security Monitoring.

In this lab, you have: Managed and controlled Windows background services, Automated tasks using Task Scheduler, Created and analyzed Registry persistence mechanisms, Investigated Event Viewer logs, and monitored important Windows security operations.

You are now ready to move to the next stage of Windows administration and security management.

Checkpoint

Next-Lab Preparation

Topic : Linux & Kali Linux Environment

1) Introduction to Kali Linux and Installation using VirtualBox/VMware

2) Understanding the Kali Linux environment

3) Linux file system structure