Skip to content

02 - Setup Your Hacking Lab 🛠️

Get your battle station ready in 30 minutes - everything you need, nothing you don't

🎯 What You'll Have After This Chapter

✅ Professional hacking environment

✅ All essential tools installed

✅ Ready to start learning immediately

✅ Setup that scales with your skills

💻 Your Minimum Requirements

Good News: You probably already have enough!

Minimum Specs: - Any laptop/desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) - 8GB RAM (4GB works, but slower) - 50GB free space - Internet connection

That's it. Seriously.

🔥 Step 1: Get Kali Linux (Your Main Weapon)

Kali Linux = Operating system built for hackers

Contains 600+ hacking tools pre-installed

Why VirtualBox? - Keeps your main system safe - Easy to reset if you break something - Can run multiple systems

Steps:

  1. Download VirtualBox
  2. Go to: virtualbox.org
  3. Download for your OS

  4. Install (keep clicking "Next")

  5. Download Kali Linux

  6. Go to: kali.org/get-kali
  7. Choose "Virtual Machines"
  8. Download "VirtualBox" version

  9. File will be HUGE (3-4GB) - be patient

  10. Import Kali

  11. Open VirtualBox
  12. Click "Import Appliance"
  13. Select your downloaded Kali file

  14. Click "Import" (takes 10-15 minutes)

  15. Start Your Hacking Lab

  16. Select Kali VM
  17. Click "Start"
  18. Default login: kali / kali

🎉 BOOM! You now have a professional hacking setup!

Option B: Dual Boot (Advanced Users)

Only do this if you're comfortable with computers

Steps: 1. Create USB bootable drive with Kali 2. Boot from USB 3. Install alongside your main OS

⚠️ Warning: Can break your computer if done wrong

🌐 Step 2: Essential Accounts (All FREE)

TryHackMe Account

  • Go to: tryhackme.com
  • Sign up (free)
  • This is where you'll learn everything

GitHub Account

  • Go to: github.com
  • Sign up (free)
  • Store your scripts and tools

HackerOne Account

  • Go to: hackerone.com
  • Sign up (free)
  • Your future bug bounty platform

YouTube Account

  • Go to: youtube.com
  • Sign up (free)
  • Best free learning resource

🛠️ Step 3: Essential Tools (Pre-installed in Kali)

Open Terminal in Kali and verify these exist:

Network Tools

nmap --version       # Network scanner

Web Application Tools

burpsuite           # Web app testing
dirb --help         # Directory finder

System Tools

metasploit-framework-console    # Exploitation framework

If any don't work, run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

📝 Step 4: Code Editor Setup

You need a good text editor for scripts

Install VS Code in Kali:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install code-oss -y

Essential Extensions:

  • Python
  • Bash Debug
  • Markdown Preview

🔧 Step 5: Browser Setup

Install Firefox Extensions (Essential for Web Hacking):

  1. FoxyProxy
  2. Manages proxy settings

  3. Essential for Burp Suite

  4. Wappalyzer

  5. Identifies technologies

  6. See what a website uses

  7. HackBar

  8. Quick payload testing
  9. XSS and SQL injection helper

Installation: - Open Firefox in Kali - Go to addons.mozilla.org - Search and install each extension

🎯 Step 6: Verify Everything Works

Run this quick test:

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Run: bash nmap scanme.nmap.org
  3. Should see scan results

If you see scan results = SUCCESS! 🎉

📋 Step 7: Organization Setup

Create these folders for organization:

mkdir ~/hacking
mkdir ~/hacking/scripts
mkdir ~/hacking/notes
mkdir ~/hacking/tools
mkdir ~/hacking/targets

This keeps everything organized from day 1

🔥 Common Setup Issues & Fixes

Issue: Kali is Slow

Fix: Allocate more RAM in VirtualBox settings (minimum 4GB)

Issue: Internet Not Working in VM

Fix: Check VirtualBox network settings - use "NAT"

Issue: Screen Too Small

Fix: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

Issue: Copy/Paste Not Working

Fix: Enable shared clipboard in VirtualBox settings

✅ Setup Complete Checklist

✅ Kali Linux running

✅ All accounts created

✅ Tools verified working

✅ Browser extensions installed

✅ Folders organized

✅ VS Code ready

If you checked all boxes = You're ready to hack! 🚀

🎯 Pro Tips

💡 Tip 1: Take a VM snapshot after setup - VirtualBox → Snapshots → Take - If you break something, restore instantly

💡 Tip 2: Update regularly

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

💡 Tip 3: Join Discord communities - Get help when stuck - Learn from others - Stay motivated

ONLY use these tools on: - Your own systems - TryHackMe/HackTheBox labs - Systems you have written permission to test

NEVER use on: - Other people's websites - Company systems without permission - Government systems

This is the difference between ethical hacking and going to jail.

🔗 What's Next?

Your setup is complete!

Now let's learn the EXACT path to become a hacker.

NEXT: Chapter 3 - The Learning Path →

"A professional is someone whose setup lets them focus on skills, not tools."