How to Convert Debian to Kali Linux (Step-by-Step Guide)

You may want to use Kali Linux instead of Debian for several reasons. It is technically possible to convert a Debian installation to Kali Linux. This article will explain The Best Solution for Converting Debian to Kali Linux. If you intend to buy Linux VPS Servers, you can check out the packages offered on the Eldernode website.

Why Switch from Debian to Kali Linux?

While Debian is a stable and versatile Linux distribution suitable for various use cases, Kali Linux is specifically designed for penetration testing, ethical hacking, and security auditing. It provides a user-friendly interface and easy access to a wide range of security tools, including network scanners, vulnerability assessment tools, password crackers, and forensic tools. These reasons can make you want to convert your Debian to Kali Linux.

Converting Debian Server to Kali Linux

In this section, you will learn how to converting Debian to Kali Linux. To do this, just follow the steps below and run the necessary commands.

Firstly, open your terminal and update and upgrade Debian packages to the latest versions with the following commands:

apt update

apt dist-upgrade -y

Now fetch the Kali Linux repository and add it to your apt as shown below:

apt install gnupg dirmngr

wget -q -O - https://archive.kali.org/archive-key.asc | gpg --import

Also, you need to change the content of the /etc/apt/sources.list using the commands below:

echo "deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kali.list

gpg --export ED444FF07D8D0BF6 > /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/kali-rolling.gpg

Once done, you should update and upgrade your system again by entering the following commands:

apt update

apt -y upgrade

apt -y dist-upgrade

Remember to answer the prompts as necessary and continue with the upgrades.

After completion, run the following automatic remove and purge command:

apt -y autoremove --purge

Now it’s time to install all of the Kali Linux packages and  turn Debian into Kali Linux using the command below:

apt -y install kali-linux-everything

Also, you can set the ZSH theme of Kali Linux instead of the classic Debian shell as shown below:

apt install kali-defaults zsh zsh-syntax-highlighting zsh-autosuggestions

That’s it! You converted Debian to Kali Linux successfully.

Conclusion

Debian is great for everyday use, but when it comes to penetration testing or ethical hacking, Kali Linux is the real deal. In this guide, you walked through the steps to turn a Debian system into Kali, from adding the repositories to installing the full toolset. Just make sure to back up your system and, if possible, test the process on a VPS or virtual machine first.

Once the conversion is done, you’ll have access to a huge collection of security tools ready out of the box. If you run into trouble or have questions, drop a comment below. And if you’d rather try Kali on a fast remote server, check out the Linux VPS plans from Eldernode.