Introduction
This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install the latest version of Kali Linux ARM on an Apple ARM computer. It covers all the necessary details, from the requirements for the installation process to the specific steps involved in configuring Kali Linux on your Apple device. By following this guide, you can ensure a successful installation of Kali Linux ARM on your Apple ARM computer and start exploring its powerful security and penetration testing features.
What is working?
- Networking
- Clipboard Sharing
- Shared Directory
What is broken?
- Lack of Advanced Networking Settings using Apple Virtualization.
Step 1: Download Kali Linux for ARM® aarch64 systems
Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine
- Launch UTM. Select the + icon to add a new VM.
- Select Virtualize.
- Select Linux.
- Select Use Apple Virtualization.
- Select Browse and select the Kali Linux ARM64 ISO image.
- Select Continue.
- Choose Memory Size and CPU Cores (I recommended the default settings).
- Select Continue.
- Choose Storage Size.
- Select Continue.
- Select Browse and choose the directory you want to share with the VM (This is optional and can be added later on).
- Select Continue.
- Change the Name or leave it as the default name.
- Select Save.
Step 3: Install Kali Linux ARM on the newly created Virtual Machine
- Select any of the below icons to start the VM.
- Use the UP or DOWN key to select Graphical Install.
- Press Enter when done.
- Use the UP or DOWN key to select your language.
- Press Enter when done.
- Use the UP or DOWN key to select your location.
- Press Enter when done.
- Use the UP or DOWN key to configure the keyboard.
- Press Enter when done.
- Enter the hostname or keep the default hostname.
- Press Enter when done.
- Enter your domain name or keep it blank.
- Press Enter when done.
- Create a user name and passwords.
- Press Enter when done.
- Select your time zone (if your time zone is not listed, just choose the closest one; this can be corrected later under Settings).
- Press Enter when done.
- Select the Partitioning method.
- Press Enter when done.
- Select the Partition disks.
- Press Enter when done.
- Select Yes to confirm your selections.
- Press Enter when done.
- Select your Desktop environment or keeping the Kali default Xfce.
- Press Enter when done.
- When the installation is finished, Shut down and stops the VM.
- Clear the ISO image from the External Drive.
- Power on the VM by selecting one of the below icons.
- Enable Kali HiDPI Mode if everything looks so zoomed out.
Enable Clipboard Sharing
- SPICE agent is required for clipboard sharing (both QEMU and Apple backend) as well as dynamic display resolution in QEMU backend.
- Install SPICE agent using the below command:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install spice-vdagent
- Reboot for SPICE agent to take effect.
Shared Directory
Caution: Deleting a file in a shared directory folder will permanently delete the file. It will not go to the Trash folder.
- To access the shared directory, you can run the below command to mount to the shared path.
sudo mount -t virtiofs share [mount point]- Replace [mount point] with your directory (ex. home/sysadmin102/Shared).
- In the example below, I created a Shared folder and mounted the Sharepoint to that folder.
- The shared directory will unmount upon reboot.
- If you want to mount the shared directory permanently, follow the next step.
- If you already mounted the shared point in the previous step, make sure to unmount it before continuing:
sudo umount share [mount point]- You can also modify
/etc/fstaband add the following line to mount the share on startup automatically.
sudo nano /etc/fstab
- Add the following text to the end of fstab:
share [mount point] virtiofs rw,nofail 0 0
- Replace [mount point] with your directory (ex. home/sysadmin102/Shared).
- Press Control + X when finished.
- Press Enter to save.
- Restart for changes to take effect.
