How to Create a Live/Bootable Kali Linux USB Stick Using Linux Mint
Introduction
Creating a live/bootable Kali Linux USB stick can be a handy skill for system administrators, cybersecurity professionals, and hobbyists. Although creating such a stick manually using terminal commands can be challenging, a simpler method exists. This guide will show you how to create a bootable Kali Linux USB drive using Linux Mint, the much easier approach, which involves the native USB Image Writer tool. We will also cover the manual method for those who need a deeper understanding of the process.
The Easy Way: Using the USB Image Writer in Linux Mint
If you are new to Linux or nervous about manually creating a bootable USB stick, the Kali Linux USB Image Writer tool in Linux Mint is your best friend. Here’s how to use it:
1. Download Kali Linux ISO File
First, download the Kali Linux ISO file from the official website or your preferred source. Keep the file path and name handy as you may need it later.
2. Access the USB Image Writer in Linux Mint
1. Click on the bottom-left corner of the desktop or press Super A. Then, navigate to the All Applications section.
2. Scroll down to the U’s section, and you will find USB Drive Writer. Click on it.
3. Insert and Select Your USB Drive
Insert the USB drive you want to use for the Kali Linux installation. In the USB Drive Writer window, a list of connected USB drives will appear. Select the drive you want to use by checking the box next to its name.
4. Choose the Kali Linux ISO File
Click on the Select... button to browse for your Kali Linux ISO file. Select the file and click Open to confirm your choice.
5. Write Kali Linux to the USB Drive
Click on the Write Image button. The tool will prompt you to confirm the action. Make sure you are writing to the correct drive and click Continue.
Once the process starts, you will see a progress bar. The tool will automatically write the Kali Linux ISO to your USB drive, making it a bootable USB stick.
6. Eject the USB Drive
Once the process is complete, the USB Drive Writer will inform you that the operation is finished. Safely eject the USB drive by clicking the EJECT button in the USB Drive Writer window. The live/bootable Kali Linux USB stick is now ready to use.
The Hard Way: Manually Creating a Bootable USB Stick Using Terminal
For those who prefer a more manual approach or need to learn the underlying processes, the following steps will guide you through using terminal commands:
1. Download the Kali Linux ISO File
Begin by downloading the Kali Linux ISO file as described in the easy method.
2. Check the USB Drive Using Terminal
Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl Alt T. Run the command sudo fdisk -l to list all available storage devices. Note the device name (e.g., /dev/sdb).Note the device name without the /dev/ prefix (e.g., sdb).
3. Write the Kali Linux ISO to the USB Drive Using dd Command
Use the dd command to write the Kali Linux ISO to the USB drive. The command looks like this:sudo dd bs4M if of/dev/sdX statusprogress sync
Before running the command, replace with the actual path to your Kali Linux ISO file and sdX with the device name (without /dev/) of your USB drive. Be very careful with the device name to avoid accidentally overwriting your system drive.
4. Restart and Boot from the USB Drive
After successfully writing the ISO to the USB drive, you can restart your computer and boot from the USB stick to start Kali Linux in live mode.
Conclusion
While the easy method provided by Linux Mint is the recommended approach for the vast majority of users, understanding the manual process using terminal commands is invaluable for those who want to ensure they have a complete grasp of the underlying procedures. Whether you choose the easy or hard way, you now have the necessary tools to create a bootable Kali Linux USB stick and put it to use immediately.