Installing a VPN on Kali Linux: what is important to know

Kali Linux is a special distribution of the Linux operating system designed to meet the needs of computer system security testing. This distribution provides a comprehensive set of tools and software needed to conduct various types of penetration testing, digital information analysis and information security development. It contains a wide range of tools for scanning networks, identifying vulnerabilities, cracking passwords, as well as working with encryption, hidden transmission of information and other aspects of data security.

VPN on Kali Linux: why and how to implement it

Installing a VPN on the Kali Linux distribution is a key aspect of ensuring security and anonymity when working with various networks. Below we will explain why:

• Anonymity and security. When you are involved in penetration testing or working with vulnerable networks, protecting your personal information is critical. A VPN encrypts your Internet traffic, making it invisible to prying eyes, including your Internet service provider.
• Secure connection to remote resources. Digital investigations or other security operations may require access to remote resources. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel, providing a secure connection to these resources and protecting your data from possible attacks.
• Bypassing geo restrictions. In some cases, the tools and resources you need may not be available due to geographic restrictions. A VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions, allowing you access to resources that would otherwise be inaccessible.
• Additional protection when working on public networks. When conducting security testing, you often find yourself on public networks where there is a risk of eavesdropping or tampering by attackers. A VPN creates a secure connection, providing an additional layer of security for your traffic.

How to install a VPN on Kali Linux: step-by-step algorithm

To set up a VPN on Kali Linux, you need to download configuration files OpenVPN from any VPN provider (.ovpn). VPN providers that support Linux without a dedicated client for that operating system provide these configuration files on their websites. These files contain the information needed to establish a VPN connection over Linux using a network manager or a third-party client. As a demonstration, consider the popular service ProtonVPN in Kali Linux . It offers a free version for public use that is fast and secure.

Let's look at the step-by-step installation and configuration of VPN on Kali Linux:

1. Step 1. Install OpenVPN and necessary packages. To do this, open a terminal and enter the following command: sudo apt install openvpn. After the installation is complete, install additional OpenVPN packages using the following command: sudo apt install network-manager-openvpn-gnome. During the installation process, you will be asked for permission to restart the service. Click "Yes" to complete the process.
2. Step 2. Download OpenVPN configuration files from the provider. For demonstration, we will use the ProtonVPN service. To do this, go to the following URL and register or log in to your account: https://account.protonvpn.com/login. After logging in, select the “Downloads” section, then “OpenVPN Configuration Files”. We select GNU/Linux as the platform, leaving the default protocol and configurations of the free server. After that, select any server from the list and click “Download” to save the file (.ovpn) on your computer.
3. Step 3. Setting up OpenVPN. Next, we open Network Manager by clicking on the icon in the upper right corner of the Kali desktop. Select "VPN Connections" > "Add a VPN connection". This will open the Network Manager window. Now we select the type of VPN we want to use and select the option “Import saved VPN configuration”, then click “Create”. Then select the .ovpn OpenVPN configuration file that we downloaded earlier and click “Open”. A window will appear for you to enter your username and password for authentication. To do this, go to the following URL: https://account.protonvpn.com/account. Select the OpenVPN/IKEv2 username option on the left side of the panel, copy the username and password and paste them into the appropriate fields, then click "Save".
4. Step 4. Enable VPN connection. To enable a VPN connection, open Network Manager again, select "VPN Connections", then click on the VPN you want to use. After a successful connection, a notification will appear stating that we have successfully connected to the VPN. To confirm that the connection is established, disconnect the VPN connection for a while and check your public IP address using your browser.

We now have a working VPN connection on Linux. We can add as many connections as we need by repeating this process.

Private VPN server: a more powerful tool for Kali Linux

You can use the same approach to connect to a private VPN server on Kali Linux as you would to any other VPN provider. The process will be similar, however, instead of downloading configuration files from a third party provider's website, you will need to use configuration files created or provided by your private VPN server service provider.

The effect of using a private VPN server instead of a public service will be better in all areas: privacy, security, bandwidth, data processing speed, etc.

You can buy a private VPN server on Private VPN server. This resource not only offers the opportunity to purchase a personal server, but also provides extensive information about various rental options, payment and detailed explanations of popular questions , available in the FAQ section. Explore this source of information, make informed decisions, and ensure your online security and privacy are at the highest level.

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