Kali Liux Encrypted Disk Install


At times, we have sensitive data we would prefer to encrypt using full disk encryption. With the Kali Installer, you can initiate an LVM encrypted install on either Hard Disk or USB drives. The installation procedure is very similar to a “normal Kali Linux Install”, with the exception of choosing an Encrypted LVM partition during the installation process.

Kali Linux Encrypted Installation Requirements

Installing Kali Linux on your computer is an easy process. First, you’ll need compatible computer hardware. The hardware requirements are minimal as listed below, though better hardware will naturally provide better performance. The i386 images have a default PAE kernel, so you can run them on systems with over 4GB of RAM. Download Kali Linux and either burn the ISO to DVD, orprepare a USB stick with Kali Linux Live as the installation medium.

Installation Prerequisites

  • A minimum of 8 GB disk space for the Kali Linux install.
  • For i386 and amd64 architectures, a minimum of 512MB RAM.
  • CD-DVD Drive / USB boot support

Preparing for the Installation

  1. Download Kali linux.
  2. Burn The Kali linux ISO to DVD or Image Kali Linux Live to USB.
  3. Ensure that your computer is set to boot from CD / USB in your BIOS.

Kali Linux Installation Procedure

  1. To start your installation, boot with your chosen installation medium. You should be greeted with the Kali Linux boot menu. Choose a Graphical or a Text-Mode install. In this example, we chose a GUI install. 

    Kali Install
  2. Select your preferred language and then your country location. You’ll also be prompted to configure your keyboard with the appropriate keymap. 

    localechooser_languagelist_0
  3. The installer will copy the image to your hard disk, probe your network interfaces, and then prompt you to enter a hostname for your system. In the example below, we’ve entered “kali” as the hostname. 

    netcfg_get_hostname_0
  4. Enter a robust password for the root account. 

    kali-linux-install-02
  5. Next, set your time zone.

    time_zone_0
  6. The installer will now probe your disks and offer you four choices. For an Encrypted LVM install, choose the “Guided – use entire disk and set up encrypted LVM” option as shown below.

    partman-auto_init_automatically_partition_0
  7. Choose the destination drive to install Kali. In this case, we chose a USB drive destination. We will use this USB drive to boot an encrypted instance of Kali.

    kali-linux-install-03
  8. Confirm your partitioning scheme and continue the installation.

    kali-linux-install-03
  9. Next, you will be asked for an encryption password. You will need to remember this password and use it each time to boot the encrypted instance of Kali Linux.

    kali-linux-install-03
  10. Configure network mirrors. Kali uses a central repository to distribute applications. You’ll need to enter any appropriate proxy information as needed. 

    NOTE! If you select “NO” in this screen, you will NOT be able to install packages from the Kali repositories.
    kali-linux-install-04
  11. Next, install GRUB. 

    kali-linux-install-05
  12. Finally, click Continue to reboot into your new Kali installation. If you used a USB device as a destination drive, make sure you enable booting from USB devices in your BIOS. You will be asked for the encryption password you set earlier on every boot.

    finish-install_reboot_in_progress_0