Parrot Security OS Installation and Comparison with Kali Linux

Table of Contents

• Parrot OS
• A comprehensive comparison between Parrot Security and Kali Linux
• User Interface and Experience
• Focus and Target Audience
• Pre-installed Tools and Applications
• Performance and Resource Consumption
• Update Frequency and Ecosystem
• Documentation and Support
• Installation Steps for Parrot Security on VirtualBox
• Post-Boot Steps:
• Update and Upgrade the Repo
• Installing VirtualBox Guest Addition 

Parrot OS

Parrot OS is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian with a focus on security, privacy, and development. Parrot OS is also used by many penetration testers. (~ Wiki).

While  Kali Linux has long been recognized as the most well-known and widely used operating system for ethical hacking and penetration testing,  Parrot Security OS  has been gaining increasing popularity among individuals and groups in the cybersecurity and ethical hacking community. In recent times, more and more professionals are opting for Parrot Security OS due to its unique features and advantages.

ParrotSecurity: The ultimate framework for your Cyber Security operations

Parrot Security OS offers a comprehensive platform with a wide range of pre-installed tools and utilities, making it convenient for various security tasks. It provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to beginners and students in the field.

Moreover, Parrot Security OS places a strong emphasis on privacy and anonymity, offering built-in features like Anonsurf and specialized tools for secure communication.

Furthermore, Parrot Security OS caters to the needs of different professionals, including penetration testers,  Digital forensics experts,  Security researchers, and  Privacy-conscious individuals. Its extensive documentation and active community support contribute to its appeal, particularly for those seeking guidance and resources.

While  Kali Linux remains a highly respected and widely used choice, the increasing preference for Parrot Security OS in recent days reflects its growing reputation as a powerful and versatile operating system specifically tailored for security professionals and ethical hackers.

Greetings, viewers! We have an intriguing topic lined up for you. In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive comparison between Parrot Security Operating System and Kali Linux. Additionally, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to install these operating systems on your VirtualBox environment. So, let's get started and explore the differences and installation processes of these two powerful tools together!

A comprehensive comparison between Parrot Security and Kali Linux

In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the distinguishing features and characteristics of Parrot Security Operating System and Kali Linux, two prominent operating systems in the field of cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

User Interface and Experience

Parrot Security OS offers a user-friendly interface, featuring the MATE desktop environment by default. This provides a visually appealing and intuitive experience, particularly for users transitioning from other operating systems. On the other hand, Kali Linux utilizes the GNOME desktop environment, which offers its own unique look and feel.

Focus and Target Audience

Parrot Security OS emphasizes both security and privacy, catering to individuals and professionals who require robust security features, anonymity tools, and secure communication options. Kali Linux, on the other hand, primarily focuses on penetration testing and is widely regarded as the go-to choice for ethical hackers and security experts.

Pre-installed Tools and Applications

Both operating systems come equipped with a wide range of pre-installed tools and applications specifically designed for various security tasks. Parrot Security OS offers a balanced selection of tools, carefully chosen for their usefulness and relevance. Kali Linux, on the other hand, boasts an extensive collection of tools and utilities, making it a comprehensive platform for penetration testing.

Performance and Resource Consumption

Parrot Security OS is renowned for its lightweight nature and optimized performance. It consumes fewer system resources, making it suitable for running on older hardware or resource-constrained environments. Kali Linux, with its vast array of pre-installed tools, may require more system resources for optimal performance.

Update Frequency and Ecosystem

Kali Linux has a long-established presence and a large community of users , resulting in a mature ecosystem. It benefits from frequent updates, ensuring the inclusion of the latest tools and security patches. Parrot Security OS, although rapidly growing in popularity, may have a relatively smaller ecosystem compared to Kali Linux.

Documentation and Support

Both Parrot Security OS and Kali Linux offer extensive documentation and user support. 

Kali Linux Documentation:

Kali Linux Documentation

The Kali Linux Documentation provides comprehensive information, tutorials, and guides on using the Kali Linux distribution for penetration testing, digital forensics, and other security-related tasks.

Parrot Security Documentation:

Parrot Security Documentation

The Parrot Security Documentation provides comprehensive information, tutorials, and guides on using the Parrot Security operating system for penetration testing, digital forensics, privacy, and security-related tasks.

However, Kali Linux benefits from its longer history, larger user base, and well-established online communities. Consequently, it generally provides a wealth of resources, tutorials, and community-driven support.

Installation Steps for Parrot Security on VirtualBox

Here are the step-by-step instructions for installing Parrot Security OS on a VirtualBox environment:

1. Download Parrot Security OS. Visit the official  Parrot Security OS  website, and navigate to the Downloads section.

Parrot Security

Parrot Security is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian focused on computer security and ethical hacking. It includes a wide range of tools for penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and digital forensics.

2. In order to install  Parrot Security OS, you have multiple options to download the image. 

If you plan to install Parrot Security OS on your laptop or alongside Windows OS, you should download the ".iso" image file.

 A word of caution: 

Installing Parrot Security OS directly on your laptop can potentially harm your existing data on the hard disk. To avoid any risk to your data, it is advisable to install Parrot Security OS on a virtual environment, such as VirtualBox.

By installing Parrot Security OS on VirtualBox, you can explore its features and tools without affecting your main operating system or data. This way, you can safely experiment and familiarize yourself with Parrot Security OS for all your security and ethical hacking needs.

As we intend to install Parrot Security OS on VirtualBox, So, we have to download the “ .ovf ” extension file.

3. Once the file is downloaded, you can follow these steps to install it on VirtualBox:

a. Launch VirtualBox, click on the " File " menu, and select " Import Appliance ." 

b. In the import wizard, click on the folder icon to browse and locate the “ .ovf ” file of Parrot Security OS on your computer.

c. Select the “ .ovf ” file, and click " Next " to continue.

4. Now, we will have to Configure Appliance Settings:

a. You will see the appliance details and settings. Review the settings, such as name, system, and network configurations.

 b. Adjust the settings if needed or keep them as default and click " Finish " to start importing the Parrot Security OS virtual machine.

5. VirtualBox will import the Parrot Security OS virtual machine from the  .ovf  file. The progress bar will indicate the status of the import process. It may take some time to complete, depending on your system's performance.

6. Once the import is complete, the Parrot Security OS virtual machine will appear in the VirtualBox Manager. 

7. Configure Virtual Machine:

a. Select the virtual machine(i.e. Parrot Security) and click on the " Settings " button. 

b. In the settings, you can modify various options such as the amount of allocated RAM, network settings, and storage configurations based on your requirements. 

c. Review and adjust the settings as needed, and then click " OK " to save the changes.

Network Setting to Bridge Adapter

8. Start the  Parrot Security OS  Virtual Machine:

a. With the Parrot Security OS virtual machine selected, click on the " Start " button in the VirtualBox Manager. 

b. The virtual machine will boot up, and you can follow the on-screen instructions to set up Parrot Security OS within the VirtualBox environment.

Post-Boot Steps:

After booting up Parrot Security OS for the first time on VirtualBox, it is highly recommended to install  VirtualBox Guest Additions. 

Parrot Security Before GuestBox Addition Installation

These additions comprise drivers and utilities that significantly enhance the performance and usability of the guest operating system, in this case, Parrot Security OS, running in the virtual machine.

Update and Upgrade the Repo

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure you perform system updates to keep your Parrot Security OS up-to-date with the latest software improvements and security patches. Here's how you can do it.

1. Open a Terminal: 

Click on the terminal icon or press "Ctrl+Alt+T" to open a terminal window.

2. Update Package Lists: 

Type the following command and press Enter to update the package lists from the software repositories:

┌─[parrot@parrot]─[~]

└──╼ $ sudo apt update

3. Upgrade Installed Packages: 

After the update process is complete, type the following command and press Enter to upgrade the installed packages to their latest versions:

┌─[parrot@parrot]─[~]

└──╼ $  sudo apt upgrade

You may be prompted to confirm the upgrade process. Type "Y" and press Enter to proceed.

4. Optional:

If any new kernel updates are available, you might need to restart the system to apply them. You can do this later, as it is not necessary immediately after the first boot.

Performing these system updates ensures that your Parrot Security OS is equipped with the latest improvements, fixes, and security updates, providing you with a more stable and secure environment for your cybersecurity and ethical hacking tasks.

Installing VirtualBox Guest Addition 

To install VirtualBox Guest Additions on Parrot Security OS, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Click on the " Devices " menu (in the bottom section) in the VirtualBox window and choose " Insert Guest Additions CD image. "

2. If you encounter a " can't mount image " error, You'll need to add an empty disk image in the "Storage" settings of VirtualBox. 

Follow the below steps to fix it:

a. Shut down the virtual machine, and go to "Settings → Storage". 

b. Under "Controller IDE," add an empty disk.

3. Restart Parrot Security OS and click on "Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image" to recognize the virtual CD image.

4. As you can notice, Parrot Security OS recognized the virtual CD image. 

5. Navigate to the mounted CD directory on the graphical file directory interface, and open a terminal window from the graphical file directory interface.

6. Run the Guest Additions installer using the following command:

┌─[╳] ─ [parrot@parrot]─[/media/parrot/VBox_GAs_7.0.6]

└──╼ $ sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

7. The installation process will initiate. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

GuestBox installation is initiating

8. After installation, restart the virtual machine to apply the changes.

┌─[╳] ─ [parrot@parrot]─[/media/parrot/VBox_GAs_7.0.6]

└──╼ $  sudo reboot

By installing VirtualBox Guest Additions, you will experience a significant improvement in integration, performance, display resolution, and mouse functionality between your host system and the Parrot Security OS virtual machine, enhancing your overall virtualization experience.

Parrot Sec after VirtualBox Guestbox installation

If you have any doubts or queries regarding the content covered in this Article, please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section below. Your feedback and questions are highly appreciated!