Table of contents

What is Kali Linux?Why install Kali?Choosing a VPS providerHow to install Kali LinuxCommon issues and fixesFAQsGetting startedAdditional resources

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How to install Kali Linux on VPS

Kali Linux is the go-to OS for ethical hackers and cybersecurity pros. But instead of setting it up locally, you can install Kali on a VPS to access it from anywhere, run 24/7 tasks, or keep it off your personal machine. Let’s walk through how to get it up and running.

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What is Kali Linux?

Kali is a Debian-based Linux distribution built specifically for penetration testing and digital forensics. It’s developed and maintained by Offensive Security and comes preloaded with 600+ tools for hacking, scanning, forensics, and more. It’s the standard toolkit for ethical hackers, red teamers, and security researchers around the world.

Why install Kali on a VPS?

Installing Kali on a virtual private server gives you full-time access to your tools in a cloud environment that you can connect to from anywhere. That makes it ideal for:

Running long-term or scheduled scans
Avoiding clutter or risk on your personal machine
Working on multiple networks or client sites from a single control point
Red teaming or honeypot operations from a secure remote node

You also avoid hardware constraints and can scale up when you need more CPU, RAM, or storage for heavier tools like Burp Suite or custom scripts.

Choosing a VPS provider for Kali Linux

Not every VPS host will let you install Kali from scratch. Here’s what to look for:

Full root access and ISO mount or custom OS support
At least 2GB of RAM (4GB+ for GUI installs)
SSD storage for fast read/write performance
A VNC/web console to handle the graphical installer
Optional: built-in firewall tools or snapshot support

Some hosts offer Kali as a prebuilt image, which is fine for basic use. But for full control, you’ll want to mount the official ISO and install it yourself.

How to install Kali Linux on a VPS (step-by-step)

Here’s how to install Kali from scratch using the ISO method. You’ll need access to a VPS control panel that supports custom ISOs.

1. Deploy your VPS

Start by choosing a VPS with the right specs:

1 vCPU minimum (2+ preferred)
2GB RAM (4GB+ if using GUI)
Option for ISO boot or rescue mode with VNC
Linux or blank OS image (if using PXE)

2. Attach the Kali Linux ISO

You can use the official Kali ISO. Your host should let you:

Upload a custom ISO file
Paste a URL to mount it remotely
Select from an ISO library in your dashboard

Once the ISO is attached, reboot the VPS into boot mode and use the VNC or web console to control the install.

3. Boot into the Kali installer

After rebooting, you’ll see the Kali Linux boot menu. Choose one of the following:

Graphical install — user-friendly interface, best for desktop experience
Install — faster, text-based installer (recommended for headless servers)

Once the ISO is attached, reboot the VPS into boot mode and use the VNC or web console to control the install.

4. Complete the Kali Linux installation

Walk through the setup prompts:

Choose your language, region, and keyboard
Set a hostname and optional domain name
Create a non-root user (Kali disables root by default)
Select disk partitioning (guided full-disk is fine for most users)
Confirm disk write and install base system
Choose desktop environment (XFCE is default; skip if headless)
Select additional toolsets or keep minimal
Install GRUB bootloader to your primary disk

The installer will complete and prompt you to reboot. If the ISO reboots instead of the OS, detach the ISO and restart again.

5. Access Kali and set up remote tools

Once the OS boots, log in through SSH or VNC using the user you created. Then:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y

You can also install more tools using metapackages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y

Enable SSH if it isn’t running:

sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh

(Optional) Secure your VPS with:

A new SSH port and UFW firewall
Fail2ban for brute force protection
Snapshots or backups for recovery

Common issues and fixes

Problem	Solution
VPS boots into ISO again	Detach ISO from control panel and reboot
No SSH access	Check firewall rules or SSH service status
GUI won’t load	Make sure you installed a desktop environment
Installer crashes or freezes	Use the text installer instead of GUI

Kali VPS FAQ

No. Shared hosting doesn’t allow OS-level access. You need a VPS or dedicated server with root access.

Not by default. The official Kali ISO doesn’t include cloud-init support, but you can configure it manually if needed for cloud automation.

For resource-limited VPS setups, headless is better. Use the GUI version only if you need tools with a visual interface or prefer desktop-style workflows.

Most ISO-based installs can be retried easily. You may need to reboot into rescue mode or re-mount the ISO to try again.

Next steps for installing Kali Linux on a VPS

Installing Kali on a VPS opens up flexible, remote security testing—without tying up your local machine or lab environment. Once you’ve got it installed, you can build a portable pen-testing platform or set up tools for long-term research.

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