What's installed on your Kali Linux server?
- Kali Linux, from OffSec's official Generic Cloud image, on the kali-rolling branch
- The kali-linux-core base system; penetration testing tools aren't installed
- No desktop: the server starts with a command line only
- OpenSSH, normally off on Kali, is on here and starts at every boot, with root password login
- Kali's cloud kernel and cloud-init, which set the IP and password at first boot and grow the disk
- QEMU guest agent, which the panel uses to write extra IPs and the keyboard layout
- No other network services on: Kali doesn't keep services you install running by itself
What size do you need for Kali Linux?
Kali's documentation says a basic SSH server without a desktop needs 128 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended) and 2 GB of disk. For the default tool set it suggests at least 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk, and at least 8 GB of RAM for heavy applications such as Burp Suite. The disk on this server is at least 25 GB because the official image is that size, though a clean system used only 1 GB in our tests. Start with 1 GB for the base system alone, 4 GB for kali-linux-headless and 8 GB for heavy tools. Grow the disk as your tool set grows.
| Use | Size | Price | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 GB RAM · 1 vCore · 25 GB NVMe | $2.58/mo | |
| Medium | 4 GB RAM · 2 vCore · 60 GB NVMe | $6.89/mo | |
| Powerful | 8 GB RAM · 4 vCore · 120 GB NVMe | $13.62/mo |
Who is it for?
- Security professionals doing authorized penetration testing
- People preparing for a penetration testing certification and building their own lab
- Teams that want to test their own systems from outside
- Anyone who wants a server for one job and plans to close it afterwards
What happens after you order?
- Set the size and complete your payment. Kali updates continuously on one branch, so there's no version to pick.
- Your server starts. Open it from My servers, and the IP Address, Username and Password rows are on the Overview tab.
- In a terminal, type ssh root@your-ip and paste the password.
- Update the system with apt update and apt full-upgrade.
- Install your tools: apt install kali-linux-headless gives the default set without a desktop. Larger sets are kali-linux-default and kali-linux-large.
With every server
- Daily backups included in the price
- Unlimited traffic
- Full root access
- Scale RAM and CPU up or down later, and grow the disk
- Location: Istanbul · IST-1.
Good to know
- Test only systems you own or have written permission to test. Unauthorized scanning, password guessing and unauthorized access break our Terms of Service and can have serious legal consequences.
- Kali's developers don't recommend it if you're new to Linux or want a general-purpose system. To host a website or an app, choose Ubuntu or Debian.
- Kali doesn't keep network services on by default. If a service you installed is off after a restart, turn it on with systemctl enable.
- Don't add random extra repositories to Kali. Its own documentation warns that doing so can break the system.
- Kali updates continuously. Its developers suggest checking for updates every few days or weeks.
- SSH faces the internet: add an SSH key, turn off password login, and limit access to your own IP with Firewall Rules in your panel.
Kali Linux questions and answers
How much RAM does a Kali Linux VPS need?
Kali's documentation suggests at least 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk for the default tool set, and at least 8 GB of RAM for heavy applications such as Burp Suite. As a rule of thumb, start with 4 GB for kali-linux-headless and scale up from your panel.
Are the tools installed on a Kali Linux VPS?
No. Kali's official image includes only the kali-linux-core base system, which took about 1 GB of disk in our tests. You add tools with apt install kali-linux-headless or kali-linux-default.
Does the Kali VPS have a desktop?
No. The server starts with a command line and you connect over SSH. If a tool needs a graphical interface you can install a desktop yourself, which takes more RAM and disk.
Is scanning allowed with Kali Linux?
Only on systems you own or have written permission to test. Unauthorized scanning and password guessing break our Terms of Service and can create legal liability. Kali's own documentation also warns of serious consequences from unauthorized use.
How do I update Kali Linux?
Run apt update and apt full-upgrade. Kali updates continuously on the kali-rolling branch, so there's no separate release upgrade. Its developers suggest checking for updates every few days or weeks.
How do I connect to my Kali server over SSH?
SSH is normally off on Kali, but it's on here and starts at every boot. Take the IP address and password from the Overview tab, then run ssh root@your-ip in a terminal. The VNC Console on the Management tab is your fallback.