BackBox Linux is a lightweight, Ubuntu-based distribution often preferred for penetration testing and cybersecurity analysis. In this guide, we will explain step by step how to install BackBox 8.1 on VMware Workstation or VMware Player in UEFI mode.

System Requirements

VMware Workstation 16.x / VMware Player 16.x or later
At least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
At least 20 GB of disk space
A system with active UEFI support
BackBox 8.1 ISO file

Step 1: Download Required Files

Download the BackBox 8.1 ISO file from the official website: https://www.backbox.org/

Step 2: Creating a New Virtual Machine

Launch VMware and click "Create a New Virtual Machine".
Proceed with the Typical (recommended) option.
Select "Installer disc image file (iso)" and point to the BackBox ISO you downloaded.
Select Guest OS: Linux > Ubuntu 64-bit.
Give the virtual machine a name: For example, "BackBox-8.1".
Select disk space (at least 20 GB recommended).
Complete the creation by clicking Finish.

Step 3: Enabling UEFI Mode

After creating the virtual machine, go to Edit Virtual Machine Settings.
Go to the "Options" tab.
In the "Advanced" section, select the UEFI option as "Firmware type".

Step 4: Starting the Virtual Machine and Proceeding to Installation

Start the virtual machine.
The BackBox boot menu will appear. Select the "Install BackBox Linux" option.
Configure language, keyboard, and region settings.
You can choose the "Erase disk and install BackBox" option for disk partitioning.
Start the installation and wait for it to complete.
The system will restart after the installation is complete.

Step 5: VMware Tools Installation

Log in to your BackBox system.
Open the terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop -y

Restart the system after the installation is complete:

sudo reboot

Step 6: System Test and Preparations

Test VMware integrations such as screen resizing, shared folders, and copy/paste.
Check if penetration testing agents (Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, etc.) are working.

By following these steps, you can successfully install BackBox 8.1 on VMware and start your cybersecurity tests. Thanks to UEFI mode, more modern hardware compatibility and performance advantages are also provided.

For a smooth experience, do not neglect to install VMware Tools and make sure your system is up to date.