Network & Security Home Lab:

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Posted June 16, 2024

Part 3 - Parrot Linux setup

In this module, we are going to install Parrot OS. This VM will be used for ethical hacking and management.

We will use this VM in the next module also to complete the pfSense final setup.

Download Parrot Linux

Go to the following link: Download > Parrot linux

As of writing the latest version of Parrot is 6.1 Lorikeet

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  • Download the recommended VirtualBox .ova. The image is around 7GB in size so it will take some time to download.

Once it is downloaded we should have an .ova file.

  • Move this file to the folder where the pfSense iso was also stored.

Since this is a .ova file, you will import not Create new. In VirtualBox.

ParrotSec VM Creation

  • Open VirtualBox.

  • Select Machine from the toolbar and then click on Import.

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  • Select the folder where the Parrot .ova is stored, then hit Next
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For the Appliance Settings, select Generate new mac addresses, then hit Next.

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You are able to change values later on for hardware resources if need be.

Click on Finish.

Lastly, there will be an Agreenment to Accept or Deny. Once accepted, the .OVA appliance will begin importing.

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Adding VM to Group

Right-click on the Parrot VM from the sidebar, select Move to Group -> New.

Right-click on the group name and select Rename Group. Name the group Management.

Now we are going to create a nested group for our home lab.

Select the Firewall and Management group (Ctrl+Click). Right-click on the name of one of the groups. From the menu select Move to Group -> [New].

Now both the groups should be nested inside the New Group . Right-click on the group and choose Rename Group. Give our group the name Home Lab.

Double check, now we should have the following structure:

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Parrot Updating

  • When Parrot boots, after a couple seconds it will ask to search for updates.

  • Hit Yes to check for updates.

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Default password

  • It will ask for a root password.

We need to change the default credentials, they are by default:

user: parrot
password: parrot
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  • Once updated, find the terminal on the top right of the machine.

Run the following command:

sudo apt autoremove
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Now run:

sudo shutdown now

Network Configuration

Go to Network -> Adapter 1. For the Attached to field select Internal Network. For Name select LAN 0. Expand the Advanced section. For Adapter Type select Paravirtualized Network (virtio-net).

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Changing Default password/IP a

Select pfSense from the sidebar and click on Start on the toolbar.

Select Parrot OS Security Edition from the sidebar and click on Start on the toolbar.

Once Parrot starts, find the terminal in the top left.

  • We will run a series of commands, firstly to identify if pfSense issued an IP address in the correct subnet, and secondly to change the password.

You should also change the default username.

ip a

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  • We can confirm the right subnet is designated by cross referencing the pfSense router. See below.
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sudo su

passwd user

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If you often forget your passwords, you can stop at this point and create a new clone using VirualBox.

Post-Installation Configuration (Optional)

Use the following command in the terminal to update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

Enter password when prompted.

Once the sources have been fetched we will be asked if we want to continue. Enter Y and then press Enter to start the update.

After the update is complete run the following command to remove the unused packages:

sudo apt autoremove

In the next module, we will access the pfSense Web UI and complete the remaining configuration.

Home Lab Part 4