Kali Linux 2025: Best Ethical Hacking Setup for Beginners

🔹 Introduction

Kali Linux is the go-to OS for ethical hackers and penetration testers. However, the default setup might not be optimized for productivity. This guide will walk you through step-by-step customization to enhance your hacking workflow and make your terminal visually appealing and efficient.

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🔹 Step 1: Setting Up Your Terminal

Before installing tools, let's tweak the terminal for better visibility and focus.

1. Open Terminal Preferences
2. Adjust font size for better readability
3. Enable transparency for a sleek look

🔹 Command to open preferences:

nano ~/.config/xfce4/terminal/terminalrc

Modify the font and transparency settings accordingly.

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🔹 Step 2: Installing Oh-My-Zsh

Oh-My-Zsh is an open-source framework for managing Zsh configurations. It improves command-line usability and adds themes.

🔹 Install Zsh:

sudo apt install zsh -y

🔹 Install Oh-My-Zsh:

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Set Zsh as the default shell:

chsh -s $(which zsh)

Restart your terminal for changes to take effect.

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🔹 Step 3: Customizing .zshrc

Your .zshrc file controls the appearance and behavior of Zsh.

🔹 Modify .zshrc:

nano ~/.zshrc

• Change theme: ZSH_THEME="agnoster"
• Add useful plugins:

plugins=(git zsh-autosuggestions zsh-syntax-highlighting)

• Save and apply changes:

source ~/.zshrc

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🔹 Step 4: Installing Essential Plugins

Enhance your terminal with useful Zsh plugins:

🔹 Autosuggestions: Predicts and auto-fills commands.

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions ~/.oh-my-zsh/custom/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions

🔹 Syntax Highlighting: Colors commands for better readability.

git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-syntax-highlighting.git ~/.oh-my-zsh/custom/plugins/zsh-syntax-highlighting

After installing, enable them in .zshrc as shown in Step 3.

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🔹 Step 5: Configuring Tmux

Tmux allows you to manage multiple terminal sessions.

🔹 Install Tmux:

sudo apt install tmux -y

🔹 Basic Commands:

• tmux new -s session_name → Create a new session
• tmux ls → List sessions
• tmux attach -t session_name → Attach to a session
• tmux kill-session -t session_name → Kill a session

Customize Tmux by editing:

nano ~/.tmux.conf

Add settings like better keybindings, mouse support, and themes.

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🔹 Step 6: Installing Batcat (Better File Viewer)

batcat is a modern replacement for cat, offering syntax highlighting.

🔹 Install Batcat:

sudo apt install bat -y

🔹 Usage:

batcat filename.txt

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🔹 Step 7: Installing Nerd Fonts

To improve terminal aesthetics, install Nerd Fonts:

🔹 Install FiraCode Nerd Font:

sudo apt install fonts-firacode -y

Now, change your terminal font to FiraCode Nerd Font in Terminal Preferences.

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🔹 Final Steps

• Reboot your system:

reboot

• Open the terminal and enjoy the new optimized setup!

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✨ Conclusion

By following these steps, you have: ✅ Improved your terminal's appearance and usability ✅ Installed Oh-My-Zsh and essential plugins ✅ Configured Tmux for session management ✅ Replaced cat with Batcat for better file display ✅ Installed Nerd Fonts for a cleaner interface

With these tweaks, you're now ready to use Kali Linux 2025 like a pro! 🚀

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