How To Install BackTrack on a Mac

How To Install BackTrack on a Mac

BackTrack  is a Linux Distribution aimed towards digital forensics and penetration testing.  BackTrack contains a lot of powerful tools, and is not for the absolute beginner
BackTrack can be installed on a Live DVD, On USB, On a Virtual Machine and on Hard Drive.  We are going to review the most used: Virtual Machine.
The advantage of the VM is that you do not need a reboot. the inconvenient are that it is a bit slower.  

Pre-Scriptum / Update
The post below shows a how-to with VirtualBox. After few glitches and too many issues on VBox, I have switched to VMWare Fusion.  VMware fusion has a 30 days free trial.

1. Download VirtualBox (Free)  Select the Mac OSX Version. (OSX hosts). Do not Install
 



2. Download The Backtrack Distribution from the BackTrack Website.  The file is 2GB, it will take few minutes.... Do not Install
Enter a name, etc.. or not.  If not, you won't receive updates and patches. 
Select:  Gnome or KDE | 32-bit architecture | Image: ISO | Download: Direct or Torrent
I mentioned 32-bit. So, I am going to repeat:  Thirty-two-bit! 

3.  Install VirtualBox (yes, now you can....)

  While waiting for the download to finish,
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Open VirtualBox
     Select "New"

 





Operating System: Linux
Version: Ubuntu (64 bit) or Ubuntu . Select from the drop box
Give it a name, i.e Backtrack.   Avoid complex name with spaces, etc
Click Continue ... 














Assign the RAM memory, 30% min  recommended

Check Box "Boot Hard Disk"
     Select  "Create new hard disk"

 Recommended: Dynamically Expanding Storage

Read the instructions and select the Maximum Size 
I would recommend to move the .iso in the root or somewhere else than where is was downloaded: a bit too easy to clean out the .iso by mistake. (like I did ...)

Assign RAM, keep in mind that you need to assign about 30% min

Your settings should like this:

After Clicking Done , your screen should like that.
Click on "Settings"

Under Display, Assign the Video Memory.  Set for at least 64MB

Under Storage
Click on the first +icon  "Add CD/DVD Device"
Select "Choose Disk"

Select the .iso file in its location.  i.e  /BT5-GNOME-32.iso

You are almost done, before starting the VM, one last step
How big do you want the Back|Track screen to be?

Open Terminal and type exactly the following command, without the quotes

"VboxManage setextradata Backtrack CustomVideoMode1 1100x740x16"

1100x740x16  being the Back|track screen size , you can use 1400x940 or whatever fits your mood.

You can now press the start button on VirtualBox. be a little patient at the first run.

When you will see:  "boot:_"    (Without the quotes, you silly )
Press"Enter"                              (Without the quotes, you doofus )         

Then wait about 20 sec for the prompt and it's ready!
To start the GUI , enter "startx". Without the quotes,  damnit!

You are ready to go!