Kali VirtualBox Boot from USB: A Step-by-Step Guide

For many cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts, Kali Linux is an essential tool for ethical hacking and penetration testing. However, setting up Kali on a virtual machine can be a challenge, especially when it comes to booting from a USB drive in VirtualBox. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to create a vmdk file and boot Kali Linux from your USB drive using VirtualBox.

Step 1: Find Your USB Drive Name

The first step is to find the name of your USB drive. You can do this by running the command `sudo fdisk -l` in your Terminal. This will list all the disk drives connected to your system, including your USB drive. Take note of the name of your USB drive, which should start with '/dev/sd' followed by a letter (e.g., '/dev/sdc').

Step 2: Create a VMDK File

Once you have found the name of your USB drive, you can create a vmdk file using the VBoxManage command. The syntax for this command is:

```

$ sudo VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename ~/usb.vmdk -rawdisk /dev/sdc

```

Replace '/dev/sdc' with the name of your USB drive. This command will create a vmdk file named 'usb.vmdk' in your home directory.

Step 3: Create a Virtual Machine

Next, you need to create a virtual machine in VirtualBox. To do this, follow these steps:

* Open VirtualBox and click on 'New'

* Enter the name of your virtual machine, choose the operating system as 'Linux', and select 'Other Linux' as the version

* Set the RAM size and processor count according to your needs

* Click on 'Create'

Step 4: Install Kali Linux

Once you have created a virtual machine, you need to install Kali Linux. To do this, follow these steps:

* Insert your Kali Linux ISO file into VirtualBox

* Select the virtual machine and click on 'Settings'

* Go to 'Storage' and select the Kali Linux ISO file as the boot device

* Start the virtual machine and follow the installation prompts

Step 5: Boot from USB Drive

Finally, you can boot your virtual machine from your USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:

* Select the virtual machine and click on 'Settings'

* Go to 'Storage' and select the vmdk file that you created earlier as the boot device

* Start the virtual machine and it should boot from your USB drive

In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to create a vmdk file and boot Kali Linux from a USB drive using VirtualBox. By following these steps, you should be able to set up a virtual machine with Kali Linux and start exploring its features. Remember to always follow best practices for ethical hacking and penetration testing when working with Kali Linux.

Kali virtualbox boot from usb