1️⃣ Installing Kali Linux

Option 1: Install Kali Linux as a Virtual Machine (Recommended)

Step 1: Download Kali ISO or Prebuilt VM Image

• Download the Kali ISO: https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-bare-metal
• Prebuilt VM Image (for VirtualBox/VMware): https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-virtual-machines

Step 2: Install Kali on VirtualBox or VMware

• Create a new VM with at least:
  • 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ preferred)
  • 2 CPU cores (4+ recommended)
  • 30 GB+ Disk Space
• Attach the Kali ISO and boot into the installer.

Option 2: Install Kali Linux as a Bare Metal OS

1. Download Kali ISO from kali.org.

2. Create a bootable USB using:

   sh

   CopyEdit

   sudo dd if=kali-linux.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

   Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device (use lsblk to check).

3. Boot from USB and follow the GUI installer.

Option 3: Run Kali as a Docker Container (Quick & Lightweight)

If you want a quick Kali setup without installing it natively:

sh docker pull kalilinux/kali-rolling docker run -it --rm kalilinux/kali-rolling /bin/bash

To install tools inside the container:

sh

apt update && apt install -y kali-linux-default

2️⃣ Installing Arch Linux for Pentesting

Option 1: Install Arch Linux (Manual Process)

Step 1: Download Arch ISO

Download from: https://archlinux.org/download/

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB

sh

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sudo dd if=archlinux.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

Step 3: Boot into Arch ISO and Install

4. Set up networking:

   sh

   ip link

   If using WiFi:

   sh

   iwctl station wlan0 connect <SSID>

5. Partition Disk (use fdisk or cfdisk).

6. Mount filesystems and install base system:

   sh

   mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware

7. Configure system (hostname, bootloader, users).

Option 2: Use BlackArch (Arch-Based Pentesting OS)

Instead of setting up tools manually, you can use BlackArch (Arch Linux preloaded with pentesting tools).

Install BlackArch on top of an existing Arch system:

sh

curl -O https://blackarch.org/strap.sh chmod +x strap.sh sudo ./strap.sh

Then install all tools:

sh

sudo pacman -S blackarch

3️⃣ Installing Penetration Testing Tools

On Kali Linux

Kali has tool meta-packages for easy installation:

sh

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y sudo apt install -y kali-linux-default kali-linux-top10 kali-linux-full

On Arch Linux / BlackArch

sh

sudo pacman -S blackarch

Or install specific tool categories:

sh

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sudo pacman -S blackarch-exploitation blackarch-forensics

Manually Installing Popular Pentesting Tools

Metasploit

sh

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sudo apt install -y metasploit-framework # Kali sudo pacman -S metasploit # Arch

Nmap (Network Scanning)

sh

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sudo apt install -y nmap sudo pacman -S nmap

Burp Suite (Web Hacking)

sh

CopyEdit

sudo apt install -y burpsuite sudo pacman -S burpsuite

Wireshark (Packet Sniffing)

sh

CopyEdit

sudo apt install -y wireshark sudo pacman -S wireshark-qt

Aircrack-ng (WiFi Hacking)

sh

CopyEdit

sudo apt install -y aircrack-ng sudo pacman -S aircrack-ng

4️⃣ Recommended Setup for Pentesting

5️⃣ Next Steps

✅ Customize your environment – Install only the tools you need.
✅ Use Docker for testing – Spin up vulnerable containers (e.g., DVWA, Metasploitable).
✅ Practice on TryHackMe, HackTheBox – Real-world pentesting labs.

Would you like a pre-configured script to automate tool installation? 🚀