Can I run Kali Linux on AWS?

While AWS doesn't offer an official Kali Linux AMI, it is possible to run Kali Linux on AWS EC2 instances. However, there are a few important points to consider:

1. You would need to create a custom AMI or install Kali Linux manually on a base Linux instance.

2. By default, most Linux AMIs on EC2, including any custom Kali Linux setup, do not come with a pre-installed graphical user interface (GUI).

3. If you require a GUI, you would need to install it manually. This typically involves installing a desktop environment like GNOME, along with an X11 server and related packages.

4. To access the GUI remotely, you would need to set up a remote desktop protocol. Amazon recommends using NICE DCV, which is a high-performance remote display protocol that works well with EC2 instances.

5. Installing and configuring a GUI and remote access can be complex and may require significant system resources. Ensure your chosen EC2 instance type has sufficient CPU, memory, and storage to support these additional components.

6. When setting up remote access, remember to configure your EC2 security group to allow inbound traffic on the necessary ports (e.g., 8443 for NICE DCV).

7. Keep in mind that running Kali Linux, especially with a GUI, on a small instance type may result in poor performance. You might need to choose a larger instance type to ensure smooth operation.

Remember that Kali Linux is a specialized distribution for security testing and penetration testing. Ensure you comply with AWS's Acceptable Use Policy when using such tools on their platform.
Sources
linux with graphical interface | AWS re:Post
Graphical Linux desktop on AWS EC2? | AWS re:Post
How do I install GUI (graphical desktop) on Amazon EC2 instances running Amazon Linux 2 (AL2)? | AWS re:Post
How do I install GUI (graphical desktop) on Amazon EC2 instances running Ubuntu Linux? | AWS re:Post