The latest articles on DEV Community by Oladunjoye Samuel (@cyber_enthusiast). https://dev.to/cyber_enthusiast https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3200255%2Fe53f0548-b4f7-4aab-a34b-9c065e3e3168.jpg https://dev.to/cyber_enthusiast en Oladunjoye Samuel Sat, 24 May 2025 06:52:58 +0000 https://dev.to/cyber_enthusiast/how-i-run-kali-linux-on-a-4gb-ram-laptop-a-students-hacking-lab-3a0m https://dev.to/cyber_enthusiast/how-i-run-kali-linux-on-a-4gb-ram-laptop-a-students-hacking-lab-3a0m <p><strong>Posted</strong>: May 23, 2025 </p> <h3> The Problem: Limited Hardware? No Problem. </h3> <p>As a Nigerian undergrad with a <strong>4GB RAM, Intel Celeron laptop</strong>, I thought cybersecurity labs were out of reach—until I discovered <strong>Kali Linux on a bootable USB</strong>. Here’s how you can do it too.</p> <h3> <strong>What You’ll Need</strong> </h3> <ol> <li>A <strong>16GB+ USB drive</strong> ($5–$10) </li> <li>Any computer with <strong>4GB RAM</strong> (even slow ones work) </li> <li> <a href="https://rufus.ie/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rufus</a> (free) </li> <li> <a href="https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-live" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kali Live ISO</a> (free) </li> </ol> <h3> <strong>Step-by-Step Guide</strong> </h3> <h4> 1. Create a <strong>Persistent Kali USB</strong> </h4> <ul> <li>Run Rufus → Select USB drive → Load Kali ISO. </li> <li>Click <strong>Start</strong> (keep default settings). </li> </ul> <h4> 2. Boot Into Kali </h4> <ul> <li>Restart PC → Spam <strong>F7/F9</strong> for boot menu → Select USB. </li> <li>Choose <strong>"Live USB with Persistence"</strong> (saves your files!). </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2F01fiscj1dkwdp7xf9ayy.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2F01fiscj1dkwdp7xf9ayy.png" alt="Kali Boot Screen" width="800" height="450"></a> </p> <h4> 3. Congrats! You’re In. </h4> <ul> <li>Now open your terminal and practice: <ul> <li> <code>nmap -sV 192.168.1.1</code> (scan your router) </li> <li> <code>sudo apt install wireshark</code> (packet analysis) </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3> <strong>Why This Works for Students</strong> </h3> <p>✅ <strong>Zero cost</strong> (all tools are free)<br><br> ✅ <strong>No installation</strong> (works on school/library PCs)<br><br> ✅ <strong>Persistence</strong> (save files between reboots) </p> <h3> <strong>Your Turn!</strong> </h3> <ul> <li>Tried this? Share your screenshot below! </li> <li>Stuck? Ask me anything—I’ll help. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Next Up</strong>: I’ll post a guide on <strong>practicing hacking with TryHackMe on this setup</strong>. Follow to stay updated! </p> cybersecurity linux beginners hackathon