Short intro (what this is):
You installed Parrot Security OS — nice. Now we’ll make the system useful, safe, and easy to work with. This guide is simple and practical. I’ll show exact commands and tell you what each step does. Follow in order.
Intro
You already finished installation. Don’t stop there. After install, you must update the system, add a few useful programs, turn on basic security, and set backups. Do these steps and your Parrot will be ready for learning and practice.
Update and upgrade the system
Why do this
New updates fix bugs and security holes. Always do this first.
Steps & commands
Open Terminal and run these two lines:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt update checks for new package lists.
sudo apt upgrade -y downloads and installs the updates. -y means “yes” to all prompts.
Quick check
lsb_release -a
uname -r
This just shows your distro info and kernel version.
Install essential software
What to install first
These are everyday tools you will use:
Browser (Firefox is already there; Brave is optional if you want extra privacy).
Code editor (VS Code or use vim for terminal).
File tools: unzip, p7zip.
Small utilities: htop, neofetch, git, curl, wget.
Commands
Run the following commands one by one:
# basic tools
sudo apt install -y curl wget git gnupg software-properties-common
# small utilities
sudo apt install -y htop neofetch unzip p7zip-full
# text editor (vim) – always in repo
sudo apt install -y vim
Note: VS Code or Brave might not be in Parrot’s default repo. If sudo apt install code or sudo apt install brave-browser fails, download the .deb installer from the official site and install with:
sudo dpkg -i <file>.deb
sudo apt -f install
This fixes missing dependencies.
Verify
htop –version
neofetch
git –version
If these work, basic tools are ready.
Security and pentesting tools
What Parrot already has
Parrot comes with many tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and Wireshark. You don’t need to install everything.
Extra tools you may want
sudo apt install -y burpsuite hydra john
burpsuite for web testing (community edition).
hydra and john for password testing (use only on systems you own or have permission to test).
Start practicing
Begin with safe tasks:
Nmap scan a local VM:
nmap -sS 192.168.56.101
(use your lab IP)
Open Wireshark and capture packets on your test VM network interface (do not capture someone else’s traffic).
Verify
nmap –version
wireshark –version
burpsuite –help
System setting tweaks
Enable firewall
Turn on UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall):
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status
If it says active, good.
Make terminal better (optional)
Zsh + Oh-My-Zsh makes your shell easier:
sudo apt install -y zsh
chsh -s /usr/bin/zsh
# log out and log in again, then:
sh -c “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)”
After install, you’ll have a nicer prompt and plugins.
Power & performance (optional)
sudo apt install -y tlp
sudo systemctl enable tlp –now
tlp helps battery on laptops.
Privacy basics
Open your browser → settings → disable telemetry and third-party cookies if you want more privacy.
Virtualization setup
(Only if you run Parrot in a VM — VirtualBox or VMware.)
VirtualBox Guest Additions
sudo apt install -y virtualbox-guest-additions-iso
This improves screen resizing, clipboard, and shared folders.
VMware Tools
From the VMware menu choose “Install VMware Tools”, mount the ISO, extract and run the installer inside Parrot.
Quick check
Can you resize the VM window and the guest screen follows?
Can you copy from host and paste in guest?
If yes, guest tools are working.
Daily use optimization
Backups with Timeshift
Install and make a snapshot:
sudo apt install -y timeshift
sudo timeshift –create –comments “First snapshot” –tags D
Or open Timeshift GUI and create a snapshot. Do this before big changes (like installing multiple tools or editing system files).
Auto updates (optional)
sudo apt install -y unattended-upgrades
sudo dpkg-reconfigure –priority=low unattended-upgrades
This can auto-install security updates. Use if you want less manual work.
Clean unused packages
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt clean
Run these after big installs to free space.
Conclusion
Do these steps after installing Parrot:
Update system.
Install basic apps and helpers.
Add a few pentest tools (use carefully).
Turn on firewall and enable backups.
If using VM, install guest tools.
Keep a small weekly routine (update, backup).
After this, your Parrot will be safe, usable, and ready for learning.
FAQs
Q: apt install says package not found. What do I do?
A: Run sudo apt update first. If still not found, check if the package needs a special repo or download the .deb from the official website and install with:
sudo dpkg -i <file>.deb
sudo apt -f install
Q: Wireshark asks about capture permission.
A: Add your user to the wireshark group:
sudo usermod -aG wireshark $USER
# then log out and log in again
Q: I broke something. How to go back?
A: Restore from Timeshift snapshot or, if in VM, revert to a VM snapshot. Always take a snapshot before risky work.
Q: Is it safe to use password tools like John and Hydra?
A: Only use them on systems you own or have permission to test. Using them on others is illegal.
Q: How often should I update?
A: Weekly is good. For high-risk work, check daily.
Quick copy-block checklist
Copy these to a file and run when you first setup:
# update
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
# basics
sudo apt install -y curl wget git gnupg software-properties-common htop neofetch unzip p7zip-full vim
# optional pentest extras
sudo apt install -y burpsuite hydra john
# firewall
sudo ufw enable
# timeshift backup
sudo apt install -y timeshift
sudo timeshift –create –comments “Post-install snapshot” –tags D
# clean
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt clean
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