Remote access and control of computers is a key feature in modern connected and internet-based societies especially in the field of information technology and cybersecurity for working from home. Some of the most influential protocols that make this possible include the remote desktop and SSH which have truly transformed the way we operate computers over the web. Remote Desktop is a technology that enables users to make a distant connection with any computer and manage another machine’s desktop as if they were sitting in front of it. On the contrary, SSH is a protocol that secures communication and establishes access to a computer or server to administer the system, transfer files, and execute commands. Kali Linux is a distribution commonly used in ethical hacking and penetration testing that offers numerous tools for finding vulnerabilities and weaknesses. But to utilize the full potential of Kali Linux the user needs to enable the Remote Desktop as well as the SSH protocol this makes it easy for a user to remotely connect to their system. In this article, we will explain how to set up Remote Desktop and SSH on Kali Linux for efficient and secure remote access to your system.

What is a Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop, is an Internet protocol that permits remote access and control of any computer via Internet. With this protocol, one can have a remote connection to another machine, view its desktop, and interact with it as if you were in front of the screen. This system is normally used for:

• Remote work: This enables employees to perform their official duties from their homes or other places that are far away.
• Technical support: In situations where the IT professionals may want to solve problems by logging into the user’s personal computer.
• Server management: Network administrators always remotely handle the servers, get files, and execute some tasks such as maintenance.

What is SSH?

SSH or Secure Shell is a secure protocol for accessing and controlling a computer or server through a network connection, remotely. This is how SSH guarantees security in:

• Access to Command Line Interfaces: A person can access the command-line interface of another computer thus enabling them to run commands, control files, and even manage the system.
• File Transfer: Secure file transfer is done by SSH using protocols like SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) and SCP (Secure Copy).
• Tunnels: Other protocols e.g. HTTP, FTP, or VNC can be made to traverse securely using SSH.

How to enable Remote Desktop in Kali:

Kali Linux usually does not come with a Remote Desktop server installed by default. To enable Remote Desktop access, you’ll need to install the XRDP package.

STEP 1: Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt-get install xdrp

Installing xrdp

STEP 2: After installing XRDP, you’ll need to configure it to allow connections from remote clients. Open the XRDP configuration file with a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini

In the xrdp.ini file, locate the [xvnc] section. Change the port value to -1 to enable connections on the default Remote Desktop port (3389):

STEP 3: Save the changes to the xrdp.ini file and exit the text editor.

STEP 4: To apply the changes, restart the XRDP service:

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

restarting the service- xrdp

STEP 5: To verify that the xrdp service is running, you can use the following command:

sudo systemctl status xrdp

xrdp service status

If xrdp is running, you should see an output indicating that the service is active and running.

Enabling SSH Access

STEP 1: Install OpenSSH Server: Kali Linux comes with the OpenSSH client pre-installed, but you’ll need to install the OpenSSH server to enable SSH access. Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt-get install openssh-server

installing openssh-server

STEP 2: Once the installation is complete, you need to start the SSH service. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo systemctl start ssh

starting ssh service

STEP 3: To verify that the SSH service is running, you can use the following command:

sudo systemctl status ssh

ssh service status

If SSH is running, you should see an output indicating that the service is active and running.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve explained how to enable and start xrdp and SSH on Kali Linux. SSH is a powerful tool that allows you to remotely manage your systems securely. Remote Desktop protocols use encryption to secure the connection, ensuring that data transmitted between the client and server remains confidential. By following these steps, you can easily enable SSH on your Kali Linux system and start using it to remotely access and manage your system.

Enabling Remote Desktop and SSH access to Kali – FAQs

How do I compare Remote Desktop to SSH?

Remote Desktop enables a user to obtain a remote graphical interface for another machine with graphical GUI, whereas SSH presents a secure means of logging into a computer or server via ssh shell.

Does one need XRDP on Kali Linux for enabling Remote Desktop?

Indeed, XRDP is not present in the production version of Kali Linux and should be installed by the user if he or she wants to use Remote Desktop functionality.

Which port is used by Remote Desktop if no other is specified?

3389 is the port used by Remote Desktop by default.

Can we login through SSH to copy file?

Yes, SSH does offer secure file transfer through methods such as SFTP (SSH file transfer protocol) and even SCP.

Is it needed to reboot the Kali Linux system after enabling Remote Desktop and SSH?

No, you are not required to restart your system. A reboot does not cause any change; it is enough to carry out the changes by restarting the XRDP and SSH services using systemctl command.