I'm interested in learning cybersecurity and have been advised to use Linux for this purpose. However, after researching, I've learned that some applications I use regularly aren't available on Linux. To work around this, I've decided to run Linux on a virtual machine (VM), but I'm worried about the installation process and its impact on my computer. Can anyone guide me on how to do this safely?
4 Answers
Honestly, just go ahead and install VirtualBox, grab a bunch of Linux ISOs, and start playing around! The VM won't mess with your main operating system at all, so you’re safe to experiment.
Installing Linux in a VM is a super safe way to try it out without altering anything on your main machine. If something goes wrong, you can simply remove the Linux OS from the VM with no worries. I recommend checking out VirtualBox and their user guide to get you started on your Linux journey.
Using a VM is great for keeping things isolated, like a sandbox. It’s a perfect place to experiment as you can take snapshots before making any significant changes. If you break something, just revert to the snapshot! Just keep in mind that running a VM can be resource-intensive since it shares resources with your main OS. Try different apps and choose the one that feels right for you — they all have similar capabilities.
First off, you'll need a virtual host application. A popular choice is VMware Workstation, which you can find for free on Broadcom's website (just make sure it's for non-commercial use). Once you have it installed, there's a guided setup that helps you mount the Linux ISO and set things like RAM and disk space for your VM. If VMware isn’t your thing, you can also use VirtualBox; it works in a similar way. Personally, I prefer VMware, but either should work well for you.
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