How to Install KASM Workspaces
What are KASM Workspaces?
They are containerized operating systems that are streamed from a cloud server into your browser window on demand. https://www.kasmweb.com/
What Operating Systems are available?
The available container images cover a wide range of programs, many more than I can list, these are a few of my favorites. For a full list go to: https://registry.kasmweb.com/1.0/
- Chrome – Internet Browser
- Ubuntu Focal – Linux Operating System
- Kali Linux – Linux Operating System
- Parrot OS – Linux Operating System
- Tor-Browser – Anonymous Internet Browser
- Gimp – Open Source Photoshop
Installation Instructions
We are going to install KASM workspaces in a cloud virtual machine. Then we will modify the settings of the Kali linux container to log in as root instead of a sudo user. Then we will configure the chrome extension called “Kasm – Open in Isolation”
Creating The Cloud Instance
Create a Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS cloud instance. I used Linode. https://www.linode.com/
Minimum Requirements
- 2 CPU
- 4GB RAM
- 50 GB SSD
Installing KASM Workspaces
Command Line Prompts
Step 1: Setup a SWAP Partition
sudo dd if=/dev/zero bs=1M count=1024 of=/mnt/1GiB.swap
sudo chmod 600 /mnt/1GiB.swap
sudo mkswap /mnt/1GiB.swap
sudo swapon /mnt/1GiB.swap
Step 2: Check SWAP Creation
cat /proc/swaps
Step 3: Create SWAP Persistence
echo '/mnt/1GiB.swap swap swap defaults 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab
Step 4: Download Installation File
Find the newest release at https://www.kasmweb.com/downloads
wget https://kasm-static-content.s3.amazonaws.com/kasm_release_1.13.0.002947.tar.gz
Step 5: Unzip the file
tar -xf kasm_release*.tar.gz
Step 6: Run Installation File
Make sure to save the the login credentials displayed at the end of the installation to a notepad
sudo bash kasm_release/install.sh -y
Step 7: Access the Web Portal
Connect to the IP address of the server from the internet browser and use login credentials that you saved to a notepad to gain initial access. You can change the admin password after you login.
Note: There is only 1 admin account allowed
Step 8: Configure Kali to Load as Root
- Edit the Kali container settings
- Go to “Docker Run Config Override (JSON)”
- Add the following code:
{"user":"root"}
Step 9: Install Chrome Browser Extension
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kasm-open-in-isolation/pamimfbchojeflegdjgijcgnoghgfemn
How to Use KASM
The interface for KASM is going to be in the menu that pops up when you right click on a link. You can also connect to the IP address of the server through a web browser for access.
