Kali Linux Tutorial for Beginners: Practical Ethical Hacking Guide (2026) | bugitrix

💡 Introduction

If you want to learn ethical hacking, penetration testing, or bug bounty, the first OS you should master is Kali Linux — the world’s most popular hacking distribution 🔥

Kali is loaded with more than 600+ security tools for:

• 🕵️ Recon

• 🔍 Scanning

• 🛠️ Exploitation

• 🧪 Vulnerability testing

• 🧱 Forensics

• 💥 Wireless hacking

This bugitrix guide focuses on practical usage, real commands, and must-know tools, not boring theory.

Official Website: https://www.kali.org/

Documentation: https://www.kali.org/docs/

🚀 1. What Is Kali Linux? (Simple Explanation)

Kali Linux is a Debian-based operating system created for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and digital forensics experts.

It includes tools for:

• Network scanning

• Web hacking

• Password cracking

• Wireless attacks

• Exploitation

• Reverse engineering

• Digital forensics

Owned by Offensive Security (OffSec): https://www.offsec.com/

🛠️ 2. How to Install Kali Linux (Beginner Friendly)

✔️ Option 1: Install on VirtualBox

Download: https://www.virtualbox.org/

Kali VM Images: https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-virtual-machines

Steps:

1️⃣ Install VirtualBox

2️⃣ Import Kali OVA file

3️⃣ Start machine → login → explore

✔️ Option 2: Dual Boot with Windows

Guide: https://www.kali.org/docs/installation/dual-boot-kali-with-windows/

✔️ Option 3: Live Boot from USB

Guide: https://www.kali.org/docs/usb/live-usb-install/

This is great if you want a plug-and-play hacking setup.

🔥 3. Essential Kali Linux Commands Every Beginner Must Know

These commands help you survive day one inside Kali 😄

📌 Update and Upgrade

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

📌 Check IP

ip a

📌 List tools

ls /usr/bin

📌 Switch to root

sudo su

📌 Install a new tool

sudo apt install <toolname>

⚙️ 4. Must-Know Kali Linux Tools (bugitrix Starter Pack)

Here are the most important tools beginners should learn first:

🔍 1. Nmap

Network scanning & port discovery.

Official site: https://nmap.org/

Example:

nmap -A scanme.nmap.org

🧪 2. Nikto

Web server vulnerability scanner.

Docs: https://cirt.net/Nikto2

Example:

nikto -h http://example.com

🔥 3. Burp Suite Community Edition

Web application hacking tool.

Official: https://portswigger.net/burp

Run:

burpsuite

🛠️ 4. Metasploit Framework

Exploitation tool used by pentesters.

Docs: https://docs.metasploit.com/

Start MSF:

msfconsole

📡 5. Aircrack-ng

Wi-Fi hacking suite.

Website: https://www.aircrack-ng.org/

Commands:

airmon-ng
airodump-ng
aircrack-ng

🧬 6. Hydra

Password brute-force tool.

Example:

hydra -l admin -P rockyou.txt 192.168.1.10 ssh

👣 5. Practical Hacking Workflow in Kali Linux (Easy for Beginners)

Here’s how real ethical hackers work using Kali 👇

🎯 Step 1: Recon

Use Nmap, whois, dig

nmap -sV target.com
whois target.com
dig target.com

🔍 Step 2: Scan for Vulnerabilities

Use Nikto, Nmap scripts

nikto -h http://target.com
nmap --script vuln target.com

🛠️ Step 3: Test Web App

Use Burp Suite

burpsuite

💥 Step 4: Exploit (If Allowed)

Use Metasploit

msfconsole

🧪 Step 5: Password Attacks

Use Hydra

hydra -l admin -P pass.txt ssh://target.com

📄 Step 6: Document Findings

Essential for bug bounty or reporting.

📘 6. bugitrix Kali Linux Cheat Sheet

🎯 7. Best Places to Practice Kali Linux (External Labs)

These platforms are perfect for beginners:

• 🔗 TryHackMe → https://tryhackme.com/

• 🔗 Hack The Box → https://www.hackthebox.com/

• 🔗 PortSwigger Academy (Web hacking) → https://portswigger.net/web-security

• 🔗 OverTheWire → https://overthewire.org/wargames/

bugitrix recommends starting with TryHackMe rooms for easy guided learning.

⚠️ Ethical Reminder

Use Kali Linux only on machines you own or have explicit permission to test.

bugitrix promotes legal and safe cybersecurity practices ❤️

🏁 Conclusion

Kali Linux is the ultimate OS for ethical hacking, and with this bugitrix beginner guide, you now know how to:

• Install Kali

• Use essential commands

• Run powerful tools

• Perform real hacking workflows

• Practice legally & safely

Keep practicing daily — ethical hacking is a long journey, and Kali Linux is your best companion 👨‍💻⚡