🏠 Setting Up a Cybersecurity Home Lab

📌 Project Objective

This project involves setting up a virtualized home lab to practice and improve cybersecurity skills by simulating real-world attack and defense scenarios.

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✅ Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of computer networking
• A PC with at least 8 GB RAM and sufficient disk space
• Virtualization software such as VirtualBox or VMware Workstation

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🛠️ Steps to Set Up the Lab

🔧 Step 1: Installing Virtualization Software

• Download VirtualBox:
  https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
• Install according to your OS:
  • Windows: Run the .exe installer
  • macOS: Open the .dmg file and drag VirtualBox to Applications
• Install the VirtualBox Extension Pack:
  • Go to File → Preferences → Extensions → Add the Extension Pack

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💻 Step 2: Creating Virtual Machines (VMs)

🖥️ Download OS Images:

• Ubuntu: https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop
• Kali Linux: https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-platforms
• Windows: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter

🧩 Create and Configure VM:

1. Open VirtualBox → Click New
2. Name the VM (e.g., Ubuntu, Kali)
3. Choose:
   • Type: Linux
   • Version: Ubuntu (64-bit) or Debian for Kali
4. Allocate:
   • Memory: 2 GB or more
   • Disk space: 20 GB or more
5. Boot using the ISO file and install the OS

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🌐 Step 3: Network Settings

• In VirtualBox VM settings → Network:
  • Choose Bridged Adapter for external access
• To configure NAT:
  • File → Preferences → Network → NAT Networks → Add
  • Set subnet (e.g., 10.0.2.0/24)
• Connect both VMs to the same network type

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🧰 Step 4: Tools Configuration

🟪 Ubuntu VM

• Update system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

• Install essential tools:

sudo apt install -y build-essential git curl wget

• Install Wireshark

📝 Final Notes

• Document all VM names, IP addresses, and network settings used
• Keep logs of tool installation and configurations for repeatability
• Take snapshots at each phase for rollback or testing

🖼️ Sample Screenshots

Ubuntu VM IP Configuration:

ICMP Ping from Kali to Ubuntu: