Installing Kali Linux Tools on Ubuntu 16.04: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to leverage the power of Kali Linux tools within your familiar Ubuntu 16.04 environment? While Kali Linux is specifically designed for penetration testing and digital forensics, many users prefer the general-purpose nature of Ubuntu but still need access to Kali’s specialized tools. This guide will walk you through installing tools from .tar.* files, a common method for software installation on Linux systems, allowing you to expand your Ubuntu system’s capabilities for security auditing and more.

This tutorial focuses on installing pre-compiled tools packaged in .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 archives. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Downloading Your Tool

First, you’ll need to download the .tar.* archive containing the Kali Linux tool you wish to install. Ensure you download it from a trusted source to avoid security risks. For this example, we’ll use a hypothetical security tool distributed as a .tar.gz file.

Once downloaded, typically your browser will save the file to your Downloads directory. We’ll assume this is the case for the following steps.

Step 2: Copying the Archive to the /opt/ Directory

The /opt/ directory is conventionally used for installing optional application software packages. It’s a good practice to place your extracted tool here. Open your terminal and use the following command to copy the downloaded archive to /opt/. Remember to replace your-tool.tar.gz with the actual name of your downloaded file.

sudo cp ~/Downloads/your-tool.tar.gz /opt/

You’ll be prompted to enter your password as sudo requires administrator privileges.

Step 3: Extracting the Archive

Now, navigate to the /opt/ directory and extract the contents of the archive. The command will vary slightly depending on whether you downloaded a .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 file.

For .tar.gz files, use:

cd /opt/
sudo tar -xvf your-tool.tar.gz

For .tar.bz2 files, use:

cd /opt/
sudo tar -xvjf your-tool.tar.bz2

Again, replace your-tool.tar.gz or your-tool.tar.bz2 with the correct filename. The tar command with these options will extract the archive into a new directory within /opt/.

Step 4: Cleaning Up the Archive File

After successful extraction, the archive file itself is no longer needed in /opt/. It’s good practice to remove it to keep your directory clean.

sudo rm your-tool.tar.gz

Or, if you had a .tar.bz2 file:

sudo rm your-tool.tar.bz2

Step 5: Identifying the Extracted Directory

List the contents of the /opt/ directory to determine the name of the newly extracted folder. Use the ls -a command:

ls -a

This command will show all files and directories, including hidden ones. You should see the newly extracted directory listed. Let’s assume in our example, the extracted directory is named your-tool-directory.

Step 6: Setting Execute Permissions

To make the tool executable, you need to set the appropriate permissions for the extracted directory. The chmod 777 command grants read, write, and execute permissions to all users. While this is generally acceptable for tools installed in /opt/, be mindful of permissions in other contexts.

sudo chmod 777 your-tool-directory/

Note: While chmod 777 works, for enhanced security, you might consider more restrictive permissions if you understand Linux file permissions in detail.

Step 7: Creating a Symbolic Link

To run the tool easily from your terminal without navigating to the /opt/your-tool-directory/ every time, create a symbolic link. This link will point from a directory in your system’s PATH (like /usr/bin/) to the executable file within your installed tool’s directory.

sudo ln -s /opt/your-tool-directory/your-tool-executable /usr/bin/your-tool-command

Replace the placeholders:

• /opt/your-tool-directory/your-tool-executable: This is the full path to the actual executable file of the tool inside the extracted directory. You might need to explore the extracted directory to find the correct executable.
• /usr/bin/your-tool-command: This is the command you will type in the terminal to run your tool. Choose a simple, lowercase name for easy access. For example, if you are installing a tool called “Awesome Security Scanner,” you might use ass-scanner as the command.

Example: If the executable inside /opt/your-tool-directory/ is named scanner.sh and you want to run it by typing sec-scan in the terminal, the command would be:

sudo ln -s /opt/your-tool-directory/scanner.sh /usr/bin/sec-scan

Step 8: Running Your Tool

Now, your Kali Linux tool should be installed and runnable from your Ubuntu 16.04 terminal! Simply type the command you defined in the symbolic link step (e.g., your-tool-command or sec-scan in our examples) and press Enter.

Important Considerations:

• Dependencies: Tools installed this way might have dependencies that are not automatically resolved. You may encounter errors if the tool relies on libraries or other software not present in your Ubuntu 16.04 system. You might need to manually install these dependencies using apt-get.
• System Stability: Mixing tools designed for Kali Linux with Ubuntu can sometimes lead to system instability or conflicts, especially if you are installing core system utilities. Always proceed with caution and understand the potential risks.
• Alternatives: For many Kali Linux tools, there might be Ubuntu-native alternatives or easier installation methods, such as using apt-get if the tool is available in Ubuntu repositories or using snap or flatpak packages. Explore these options before resorting to manual .tar.* installations.
• Desktop Integration (Icons and Launchers): The original article touches on creating desktop launchers. While possible, it’s beyond the scope of basic .tar.* installation and involves creating .desktop files. For simple command-line tools, this might not be necessary.

By following these steps, you can install Kali Linux tools from .tar.* archives on your Ubuntu 16.04 system, expanding its functionality for security-related tasks. Remember to always download tools from trusted sources and be mindful of potential system impacts.