What is Athena OS and Why Should I Use It?

Athena OS is a Debian-based Linux distribution specifically designed for cybersecurity professionals, penetration testers, and ethical hackers. It comes with a large number of pre-installed pentest tools and configurations, allowing users to start security assessments immediately. The main goal of Athena OS is to provide a comprehensive, useful, and customizable platform for security researchers.

Why Should I Use Athena OS?

Ready-to-Use Tools: The most popular pentest tools such as Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, Burp Suite are pre-installed.
Customizability: Thanks to being Debian-based, users can easily add or remove the tools and configurations they want.
Staying Up-to-Date: Constantly updated tools and system ensure you are prepared for the latest vulnerabilities.
Community Support: An active community helps with troubleshooting and learning about new tools.
UEFI Support: Offers UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) support for better compatibility with modern systems.

Real-Life Example: A cybersecurity consulting company uses Athena OS to assess vulnerabilities in client networks. Thanks to the pre-installed tools, consultants can start testing faster and work more efficiently. In addition, thanks to its customization capabilities, they can create custom test scenarios for each client.

What is VMware Workstation/Player and Why Should I Use It?

VMware Workstation and VMware Player are virtualization software. It allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical computer. This allows you to use different operating systems simultaneously, perform software tests, and protect your system in an isolated environment.

Why Should I Use VMware?

Isolation: Virtual machines run isolated from your main system, preventing malware or faulty configurations from affecting your main system.
Flexibility: You can run different operating systems simultaneously. For example, you can run Linux and macOS virtual machines on Windows.
Test Environment: Ideal for software development and testing processes. You can test your applications in different environments.
Resource Sharing: You can share physical hardware resources (CPU, RAM, disk space) between virtual machines.
Snapshots: You can save the state of your virtual machine and revert to a previous state if needed.

Real-Life Example: A software developer uses VMware to test how the application they are developing works on different operating systems. Thanks to VMware, they can easily check the compatibility of their application by running virtual machines on Windows, macOS, and Linux simultaneously.

What are the Prerequisites for Installing Athena OS on VMware?

Before installing Athena OS on VMware Workstation or Player, make sure you have met the following prerequisites:

VMware Workstation or Player: An up-to-date version of VMware must be installed on your computer. VMware Player is free, but VMware Workstation offers more advanced features and is paid.
Athena OS ISO File: Download the ISO file of Athena OS from the official website (usually via SourceForge or GitHub).
Sufficient Hardware Resources: You need to allocate sufficient CPU, RAM, and disk space to the virtual machine. It is recommended to have at least 2 CPU cores, 4 GB of RAM, and 30 GB of disk space for Athena OS.
BIOS/UEFI Settings: Virtualization support (VT-x or AMD-V) must be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Internet Connection: It is helpful to have an internet connection to download the necessary packages during or after installation.

Enabling Virtualization Support in BIOS/UEFI:

Restart your computer and press the necessary key to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12).
In the BIOS/UEFI settings, go to "Advanced", "CPU Configuration", or a similar menu.
Find an option such as "Virtualization Technology", "VT-x", or "AMD-V" and set it to "Enabled".
Save the settings and restart your computer.

Checking Virtualization Support with Command Line (Linux):

grep -E 'vmx|svm' /proc/cpuinfo

This command shows whether your CPU offers virtualization support. If you do not get any output, virtualization support may not be enabled.

How to Create a New Virtual Machine on VMware?

Open VMware: Launch VMware Workstation or Player.
Create a New Virtual Machine: Click on "Create a New Virtual Machine".
Select the Installation Type: Choose either "Typical" (Recommended) or "Custom" (Advanced). "Typical" is sufficient for most users.
Select the Source Media: Select "Installer disc image file (ISO)" and point to the Athena OS ISO file.
Select the Operating System: If VMware does not automatically detect the operating system, select "Linux" and "Debian 11.x 64-bit" or a similar option from the "Guest operating system" section.
Specify the Virtual Machine Name and Location: Give the virtual machine a name and select a location to save its files.
Determine the Disk Size: Determine the disk size for the virtual machine. At least 30 GB is recommended for Athena OS. Selecting "Store virtual disk as a single file" can improve performance.
Customize Hardware: Adjust the amount of CPU cores and RAM to be allocated to the virtual machine by clicking the "Customize Hardware" button. At least 2 CPU cores and 4 GB of RAM are recommended.
Create the Virtual Machine: Create the virtual machine by clicking the "Finish" button.

Visual Description: The steps for creating a new virtual machine can be supported by screenshots of the relevant buttons and options in the VMware interface. For example, screenshots of the "Create a New Virtual Machine" button, the screen for selecting the ISO file, and the hardware customization window can be added.

How to Install Athena OS on a Virtual Machine?

Start the Virtual Machine: Select the virtual machine you created from the VMware interface and click "Power on this virtual machine".
Athena OS Installation Screen: When the virtual machine is started, the Athena OS installation screen will appear.
Select Installation Option: Choose either "Graphical Install" or "Install" option. "Graphical Install" is more user-friendly.
Language and Location Selection: Follow the installation steps to select your language, location, and keyboard layout.
Network Configuration: Network configuration will be done automatically. If automatic configuration fails, you may need to enter the necessary information manually.
Disk Partitioning: Select one of the disk partitioning options. The "Guided - use entire disk" option is the easiest option for beginners.
Username and Password Determination: Determine a username and password. This information will be used to log in to Athena OS.
Completion of Installation: After the installation is complete, you will be asked to restart the virtual machine.
Logging In: After the restart process, you can log in to Athena OS with the username and password you specified.

Important Point: During installation, the disk partitioning step is critical. An incorrect selection may cause your virtual machine to become unusable. Therefore, be careful and if you are not sure, use the "Guided - use entire disk" option.

What Should Be Considered When Installing in UEFI Mode?

Installing Athena OS in UEFI mode can provide better performance and security on modern systems. However, some additional steps need to be considered:

Virtual Machine Settings: In VMware, make sure that the "Firmware type" option is set to "UEFI" in the virtual machine settings.
Secure Boot: When installing in UEFI mode, the "Secure Boot" feature may need to be disabled. Otherwise, Athena OS may be prevented from booting.
Disk Partitioning: In UEFI mode, an EFI System Partition (ESP) must be created during disk partitioning. This partition should generally be 100-500 MB in size and formatted with the FAT32 file system.

Disk Partitioning in UEFI Mode (Manual):

During the installation, select the "Manual" option in the disk partitioning step.
Select the free space and create a new partition.
Set the partition size to 100-500 MB.
Set the "Use as" option to "EFI System Partition".
Select the remaining free space and create the root partition (/).
Write the changes to disk and complete the installation.

How to Configure and Update Athena OS After Installation?

After installing Athena OS, it is important to make some configurations and install updates to use your system more efficiently:

System Updates: As a first step, update your system. Open the terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Tool Updates: Make sure that the pentest tools in Athena OS are also up to date. Some tools may require special update commands.
Driver Installation: Install the necessary drivers for the VMware virtual machine. You can usually install these drivers by installing the "VMware Tools" or "open-vm-tools" package:

sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop

Keyboard Layout Settings: Set your keyboard layout correctly. You can change your keyboard layout from the "Settings" application or from the command line.
Appearance Settings: Personalize the appearance of your desktop environment. You can create a more comfortable working environment by changing the theme, icon set, and font settings.
Additional Tools Installation: Install the additional tools you need. For example, you can install a text editor, an IDE, or a database management tool.

Example: Some tools, such as Burp Suite, have their own update mechanisms. You can update these tools from their own interfaces or from the command line.

Troubleshooting: Possible Problems and Solutions

You may encounter some problems while installing or using Athena OS on VMware. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

Network Connectivity Issues: If your virtual machine cannot connect to the internet, check the VMware network settings. You can ensure internet connectivity by selecting either "Bridged" or "NAT" mode.
Graphics Issues: If your virtual machine's graphics performance is low, make sure VMware Tools is installed. You can also increase graphics performance by allocating more video memory to the virtual machine.
Boot Issues: If your virtual machine fails to boot, check the BIOS/UEFI settings and ensure the boot order is correct.
Disk Space Issues: If your virtual machine's disk space is full, you can increase the size of the virtual disk. VMware has the ability to dynamically increase the virtual disk size.
Freezing or Crashing Issues: If your virtual machine freezes or crashes, you can improve performance by allocating more CPU cores and RAM to the virtual machine. Also, make sure you are using the latest version of VMware.

Case Study: A user was experiencing network connectivity issues after installing Athena OS on VMware. To resolve the issue, they checked the VMware network settings and selected "Bridged" mode, allowing the virtual machine to directly access the physical network card. This enabled the virtual machine to connect to the internet, and the user was able to continue working without any problems.

Problem	Solution
No Network Connection	Check VMware network settings, select "Bridged" or "NAT" mode.
Low Graphics Performance	Install VMware Tools, allocate more video memory to the virtual machine.
Booting Issue	Check BIOS/UEFI settings, verify the boot order.

Security Tips and Best Practices

To enhance your security while using Athena OS on VMware, consider the following tips and best practices:

Use Strong Passwords: Use a strong and unique password to log in to Athena OS. Change your password regularly.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If possible, enable two-factor authentication. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your account.
Firewall: Enable a firewall in Athena OS and only allow necessary ports.
Regular Updates: Regularly update system and tools. This helps close known vulnerabilities.
Virtual Machine Isolation: Keep the virtual machine isolated from your main system. Configure shared folders and network connections carefully.
Remove Unnecessary Tools: Remove tools you don't use. This helps reduce the attack surface.
Monitor Logs: Regularly monitor system and application logs. This can help you detect suspicious activity.
Snapshots: Regularly save the state of your virtual machine. This allows you to quickly revert in case of a problem.

Security Measure	Description
Strong Passwords	Prevents unauthorized access to your account.
Two-Factor Authentication	Provides an extra layer of security.
Firewall	Closes unnecessary ports.
Regular Updates	Closes known vulnerabilities.

Comparison of Athena OS and Other Pentest Distributions

While Athena OS is a popular choice for cybersecurity professionals, other pentest distributions such as Kali Linux and Parrot OS are also available. Here's a comparison of Athena OS with other distributions:

Kali Linux: One of the most popular and widely used pentest distributions. It has a very wide range of tools and offers extensive community support. However, it can be a bit complex for beginners.
Parrot OS: A distribution focused on security, privacy, and development. It has a similar range of tools to Kali Linux, but has a more user-friendly interface.
BlackArch Linux: An Arch Linux-based pentest distribution. It has a lightweight and customizable structure, but requires Arch Linux knowledge.

Advantages of Athena OS:

Debian Based: Being Debian-based provides access to a wide package repository and offers ease of customization.
UEFI Support: Offers UEFI support for better compatibility with modern systems.
Ready Tools: The most popular pentest tools are pre-installed.

Disadvantages of Athena OS:

Community Support: Does not have as extensive community support as Kali Linux.
Tool Range: May not have as wide a range of tools as Kali Linux.

Decision Making: Which pentest distribution you choose depends on your needs and experience level. If you are just starting out, Kali Linux or Parrot OS may be a better option. If you are familiar with a Debian-based system and need UEFI support, Athena OS may be a good option.

The Future and Development Process of Athena OS

Athena OS is an actively developed project. Developers are constantly adding new tools, updating existing tools, and improving the system's performance. The future of Athena OS looks bright and it will continue to be an important part of the cybersecurity community.

Participating in the Development Process:

Bug Reporting: Report any bugs you encounter to the developers. This helps make the system more stable.
Suggest New Tools: Suggest the tools you need. Developers will consider your suggestions.
Contribute Code: If you are a developer, you can support the project by contributing code.
Documentation: By documenting, you can help other users use Athena OS more easily.

Athena OS 23.11 (Pentest Distribution) [UEFI] Installation Guide on VMware Workstation/Player

Athena OS is a modern and lightweight GNU/Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, developed for penetration testing (pentest), forensic computing, and cybersecurity studies. This article details how to install Athena OS 23.11 in UEFI mode on VMware Workstation or VMware Player.

Required Tools and Preparations

VMware Workstation or Player: The version must be 16 or higher.
Athena OS 23.11 ISO: Download the latest ISO file from https://athenaos.org.
At least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, 30 GB disk space are recommended.
UEFI support must be enabled (to be enabled from VM settings).

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Creating a New Virtual Machine

Start VMware Workstation
Select "Create a New Virtual Machine"
Select "Typical (recommended)"
Point to the ISO file ("Installer disc image file")
Select "Linux" > "Other Linux 5.x or later kernel 64-bit"
Give the virtual machine a name: For example, AthenaOS
Disk size: 30 GB (split or single file doesn't matter)

2. Configure Hardware Settings

Right-click on the virtual machine and go to "Settings"
Memory: 4096 MB (or more)
Processors: 2
Firmware Type: Should be marked as UEFI
Network Adapter: NAT or Bridged (depending on your needs)

3. Start Athena OS Live Environment

Start the virtual machine
The Athena OS GRUB screen will appear
Enter the "Boot Athena OS (x64)" option
When the desktop loads, click on the "Install Athena" shortcut

4. Installation with Calamares Installer

Select a language (Turkish is available)
Keyboard layout: Select Q or F
Time zone: Europe/Istanbul
Disk partitioning: Use the entire disk (if there are no previous partitions)
Enter user and password information
Start the installation and restart after completion

Post-Installation Configuration

VMware Tools (open-vm-tools):

sudo pacman -Syu open-vm-tools
sudo systemctl enable --now vmtoolsd.service

Update:

sudo pacman -Syu

Additional Software (Wireshark, Burp Suite, nmap etc.):

sudo pacman -S wireshark-qt burpsuite nmap

Take a Snapshot: Back up the system by taking a snapshot once it becomes stable.

Athena OS stands out with its minimal structure optimized for pentest operations. With this installation, you can use your test environment safely and efficiently on VMware. It is recommended to follow the Athena community to stay up to date.

Resources

Bu makalede, Athena OS 23.11'i VMware Workstation/Player üzerine nasıl kuracağınızı ayrıntılı olarak anlattık. Umarım bu bilgiler, Athena OS'u başarıyla kurmanıza ve kullanmanıza yardımcı olur. Unutmayın, siber güvenlik sürekli gelişen bir alandır. Bu nedenle, sürekli öğrenmeye ve kendinizi geliştirmeye devam edin.