How to Secure Your Kali Linux Machine: Best Practices and Techniques.

Most people use Kali to test security, but it's equally critical to secure the system as well.

Kali Linux is an open-source Debian-based distribution system that is a powerful tool broadly used for offensive security. Penetration testers across the world utilise Kali Linux. Cybersecurity students use it to practice penetration testing and other tasks. Running a Kali Linux machine with the default settings might be a bad decision because default settings are easy to crack, and Kali Linux is not a privacy-focused distribution.

These Techniques Secure Your Kali Linux Machine

Kali Linux is designed for attacking rather than defending. If you are new to Kali Linux, the first step is to learn how to secure your system before attacking others. A few key settings and tweaks need to be reverted by a Kali user.

1. Keep Your Kali System Updated for better security: Regularly update your Kali Linux installation to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. Use the following command to update your system's software to the latest versions.

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt full-upgrade

You can remove unnecessary packages and free up disk space with this command:

$ sudo apt autoremove

1. Use Strong Passwords: It’s important to use secure passwords for both your normal and root user accounts. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords.

   To update your password, execute:

    $ passwd
   

   To update your root password, execute:

    sudo passwd
   

2. Enable Firewall: Activate the built-in firewall on your Kali Linux machine to control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Use the ufw Command to manage the firewall rules:

    sudo apt install ufw
    sudo ufw enable
   

3. Disable or Secure Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or daemons on your Kali Linux machine. Check the list of active services using the following command:

    sudo service --status-all
   

   Disable any services you don't need by using the following command:

    sudo systemctl disable <service-name>
   

4. Harden SSH Configuration: If you have enabled SSH on your Kali Linux machine, secure the SSH service by following these steps:

   • Change the default SSH port from 22 to a custom port in the SSH configuration file (/etc/ssh/sshd_config).

   • Disable root login via SSH by setting PermitRootLogin to no.

   • Enable key-based authentication and disable password-based authentication.

   • Execute the following command to change the SSH keys on Kali:

       $ dpkg-reconfigure openssh-server
     

5. Limit User Privileges: Avoid using the root account for regular activities. Create a standard user account with limited privileges and use sudo it to perform administrative tasks.

6. Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest security vulnerabilities and best practices. Subscribe to security mailing lists, follow security blogs, such as The Hacker News, SecurityWeek, Cyware social, Cybernews.com, Cypress, and Darkreading. Also, participate in the Kali Linux community to stay informed about emerging threats and security measures.

Conclusion

It’s easy to forget about the security of your system when you’re busy trying to exploit the security of others. Securing your Kali Linux machine is crucial to protect your system and data from potential threats. By following these essential steps, you can significantly enhance the security of your Kali Linux machine.

Secure your system before you hack into others.

If you found these tips helpful, feel free to share them with your network.

I will see you in my next read. Until then, PRACTICE CYBER-HYGIENE.