Posted: May 23, 2025
The Problem: Limited Hardware? No Problem.
As a Nigerian undergrad with a 4GB RAM, Intel Celeron laptop, I thought cybersecurity labs were out of reach—until I discovered Kali Linux on a bootable USB. Here’s how you can do it too.
What You’ll Need
- A 16GB+ USB drive ($5–$10)
- Any computer with 4GB RAM (even slow ones work)
- Rufus (free)
- Kali Live ISO (free)
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Create a Persistent Kali USB
- Run Rufus → Select USB drive → Load Kali ISO.
- Click Start (keep default settings).
2. Boot Into Kali
- Restart PC → Spam F7/F9 for boot menu → Select USB.
- Choose "Live USB with Persistence" (saves your files!).
3. Congrats! You’re In.
- Now open your terminal and practice:
-
nmap -sV 192.168.1.1(scan your router) -
sudo apt install wireshark(packet analysis)
-
Why This Works for Students
✅ Zero cost (all tools are free)
✅ No installation (works on school/library PCs)
✅ Persistence (save files between reboots)
Your Turn!
- Tried this? Share your screenshot below!
- Stuck? Ask me anything—I’ll help.
Next Up: I’ll post a guide on practicing hacking with TryHackMe on this setup. Follow to stay updated!
Top comments (3)
This has been very helpful, thank you very much
Please if you have any questions, feel free to ask
PS: If you’re new to cybersecurity, what’s the FIRST tool you’d want to learn in Kali? I’m thinking of covering Wireshark next!