In Part 1 of this post, we downloaded the most recent Kali Linux ISO and verified its checksum.  We’ll now use that ISO to install Kali in Parallels. 

Step 1: Installing the ISO

Start Parallels Desktop and select File => New from the menu.

Click the center selection, which reads Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file, then click Continue in the lower right corner. You will be presented with the following screen:

As you can see, my system has already located the downloaded ISO. If your system didn’t locate the ISO, simply click Choose Manually and navigate to the ISO download location from Part 1 of this post. Once you’re ready to proceed, click Continue in the lower right.

The next screen will ask you for the name of the virtual machine. You can choose anything that makes sense to you. I chose “Kali Linux”. You can also change the location of where the virtual machine will be saved. The default will be the “Parallels” folder, which is fine. It can always be moved later. Next, click Create in the lower right and the installation process will begin.

Step 2: The ISO Installation Process

Once the installation process starts, you will be presented with a series of screens where you will be asked configuration questions for the Linux installation. The first screen will be:

As shown, select the Graphical install option via the up and down arrow keys. Use the Enter key to select. This will install Kali with the Xfce4 GUI, which we’ll use immediately upon completion of the installation.

Next, select your language of choice and click Continue in the lower right.

Your location is selected next, followed by clicking Continue.

You will next be requested to select your keyboard configuration. I opted for the default “America English” key mapping. Again, click Continue.

Installation will continue for a bit. Finally, you will be asked for the hostname of your network. Follow the directions provided if you intend this installation to be part of a larger network. If you are like me and are simply setting up a home test environment, you can enter whatever you like, given that it needs to be one word (i.e., no spaces). I entered “kali-linux”. Again, click Continue to proceed.

Next, you will need to select a domain name. As was the case above, if this install is part of a larger network, you’ll need to provide that domain name. Otherwise, if this is a home test environment, you can enter anything. I chose “localdomain” and clicked Continue.

Setting the password for your new Linux installation is next. This password is for “root” access to the Linux system. Choose wisely as this password provides access to your entire system. For my password, I chose …. (just kidding!). Click Continue.

Next, you will be asked to choose your timezone. Make the proper choice and click Continue.

Caution: follow the next steps carefully as it involves disk partitioning. After clicking Continue per the above, you will be presented with the following screen:

Select Guided – use entire disk as shown and click Continue and the following screen will appear:

The description of your partition may be different than that shown. Not a problem – simply click Continue. You will see the following screen:

Select the recommended option, which is All files in one partition. Click Continue.

We’re almost done. In the screen shown below, simply select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk and click Continue.

You will be presented with an “are you sure” screen. Change “No” to “Yes” and click Continue. The process to create the virtual machine will start and the time it takes will depend on your hardware. Once done, you will see the following screen:

Select Yes and click Continue. On the next screen, follow the directions. If you are doing this install on a larger network, you will need to provide proxy information. But if this is a home test environment, simply click Continue.

When asked to install the GRUB boot loader to disk, select Yes and click Continue. You will see the following screen:

Select the second option (not the “Enter device manually” option) and click Continue.

The installation will take a few minutes to complete. Once done, click Continue and the he clean up process will commence.

Step 3 – Logging into Kali Linux

After the clean-up process completes, you will see the following screen:

Enter “root” as the user name and the “root” password you selected above.

Congratulations! You are now logged into Kali Linux.

Caution: Please wait until Part 3 of this post before doing ANYTHING in your Kali Linux installation. The system needs to be updated, upgraded and Parallel Tools needs to be installed.