How to Setup ParrotOS Linux Environment on Azure

6 min readMay 25, 2023

Introduction

Parrot is based on top of Debian, the most advanced and recognized universal operating system that can run anywhere. From your laptop to your Phone, the Parrot core can be executed on a huge range of environments, including servers, IoT boards, cloud containers (like docker and podman) and more.

In this article, we will introduce three topics

Parrots OS Linux — It is a free and open-source GNU/Linux distribution that is based on Debian Stable and designed for security experts, computer forensics, reverse engineering, hacking, penetration testing, anonymity, privacy, and cryptography. Frozenbox develops it and comes with MATE as the default desktop environment.
Features of ParrotOS which is provided by Techlatest.net
Step by Step guide — Guide on how to set up ParrotOS Linux Environment on Azure.

Features of ParrotOS provided by Techlatest.net

Easy Setup: Setting up ParrotOS is incredibly easy, making it an attractive choice for both beginners and experienced users. The installation process is straightforward and user-friendly, ensuring a smooth experience for those new to the operating system. And You can setup the OS in few clicks.
GUI Based Interface: GUI based interface which is accessible from anywhere anytime, in ParrotOS enhances usability, improves productivity, and contributes to a more enjoyable user experience while conducting penetration testing tasks.
Predefined ParrotOS Packages: ParrotOS which is provided by Techlatest comes with 1000+ Preinstalled packages.

Step by Step Guide to install, setup, and run ParrotOS Linux Environment On Azure

Note

If you want to save time to setting up an ParrotOS on Azure with out of the box environment, you can opt for Techlatest’s ParrotOS Linux, available on the Azure marketplace.

If you are looking to quickly setup and explore ParrotOS, Techlatest.net provides out of the box setup for ParrotOS on AWS, Azure and GCP. Please follow below links for the step by step guide to setup ParrotOS on your choice of cloud platform.

For ParrotOS Linux: AWS, GCP & Azure.

Step 1

Open ParrotOS Linux VM listing on Azure Marketplace.

Step 2

Click on Get It Now.

Select a Resource group for your virtual machine.

Select a Region where you want to launch the VM(such as East US).

Optionally change the number of cores and amount of memory.

Select the Authentication type as Password and enter Username as ubuntu and Password of your choice.

Optionally change the OS disk type.

Optionally change the network and subnetwork names. Be sure that whichever network you specify has “ports 22 (for SSH) and 5900 (for VNC)” exposed.

Optionally go to the Management, Advanced and Tags tabs for any advance settings you want for the VM.

Click on Review + create and then click on Create when you are done.
Virtual Machine will begin deploying.

Step 3

A summary page displays when the virtual machine is successfully created. Click on Go to resource link to go to the resource page. It will open an overview page of virtual machine.

Step 4

In the left navigation pane, select Run command , select RunShellScript and enter following command to change the password of the VM.

Step 5

Now the password for ubuntu user is set.

Step 6

Open putty, paste the IP address and click on Open.

Step 7

To connect to ParrotOS Linux command line, run below command.

sudo docker exec -it parrotos /bin/bash

If above command returns “Error response from daemon:” error, then run below command to start the ParrotOS container and then run above command again.

sudo docker start parrotos

Step 8

You can connect to the VM’s desktop environment from any local windows machine using VNC protocol or local linux machine using Remmina.

Step 9

To connect using VNC Client via Windows Machine, first note the public IP address of the VM from VM details page as highlighted below.

If the VNC is not connecting, wait for 1–2 minutes . even after 1–2 minutes if VNC connection is not working, run “sudo docker start parrotos” command by connecting to ubuntu terminal using putty as shown in step 7 and then connect to ParrotOS using VNC.

Step 10

Then From your local windows machine, goto “start” menu , in the search box type and select “VNC”.

Note: If you don’t have VNC installed on your Windows machine, first Install VNC Viewer as per your device.

Step 11

In the “VNC Viewer” wizard, copy the external IP and click on the connect Button. And Accept the encryption warning.

Step 12

Now you are connected to out of box ParrotOS Linux environment via Windows Machine with root user.

Step 13

After your first login, Open terminal and run below command to change the root user password.

x11vnc -storepasswd

Step 14

Once the passwd for root user is set, re-login with root user and new password.

Step 15

Now your are connected to out of box ParrotOS Linux environment which comes with preinstalled ParrotOS programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ParrotOS and its features, as provided by Techlatest.net, offer a compelling solution for penetration testers, security experts, and individuals concerned with privacy and anonymity. The ease of setup, thanks to its straightforward installation process, makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. Additionally, the GUI-based interface enhances usability and productivity, providing a visually appealing environment for conducting penetration testing tasks. With over 1000 preinstalled packages, ParrotOS offers a comprehensive toolkit for various security-related activities.

The step-by-step guide to setting up ParrotOS on Azure further simplifies the process for users interested in deploying the operating system in a cloud environment. From creating the virtual machine to connecting through SSH or VNC, the guide provides clear instructions to ensure a successful setup.

Overall, ParrotOS, with its user-friendly interface, extensive package selection, and compatibility with various environments, proves to be a powerful contender in the realm of penetration testing operating systems. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, ParrotOS, as highlighted by Techlatest.net, offers the necessary tools and features to support your security endeavors.