Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox

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Whonix can be easily installed using Whonix Linux Installer. Select your Linux distribution to get started.

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Debian, Fedora and Derivatives

GUI

Whonix Xfce in VirtualBox

  • Whonix with Xfce graphical user interface (GUI).
  • This version of Whonix is designed to run inside VirtualBox.
  • Beginner-friendly and easy to use.
  • It is the right choice for most users.

Please follow these steps to install Whonix.

Whonix Linux Installer

TLS

1. Download.

curl --tlsv1.3 --output whonix-xfce-installer-cli --url https://www.whonix.org/dist-installer-cli

2. Run the installer.

bash ./whonix-xfce-installer-cli

onion

1. System Tor Setup.

Downloading via an onion service requires a functional system Tor. This aspect is not specific to Whonix and is undocumented.

2. Download.

torsocks curl --output whonix-xfce-installer-cli --url http://www.dds6qkxpwdeubwucdiaord2xgbbeyds25rbsgr73tbfpqpt4a6vjwsyd.onion/dist-installer-cli

3. Run the installer.

bash ./whonix-xfce-installer-cli --onion

Optional: Digital signature verification.

  • Digital signatures: A tool enhancing download security. Commonly used across the internet.
  • Learn more: Curious? Learn more about digital software signatures.
  • Optional: Digital signatures are optional. If you've never used them before, there might be no need to start now.
  • No worries: New to digital software signatures? It's okay, no need to worry.
  • Not a requirement: Not mandatory for using Whonix, but an extra security measure for advanced users.

Choose either Option A), Option B) or Option C).

Option A) Install the installer from the from the Kicksecure APT repository

1. Add the Kicksecure APT repository.

See Kicksecure logo Kicksecure Packages for Debian Hosts The Web Archive Onion Version

2. Install package usability-misc.

Because it contains the Whonix Linux Installer.

Install package(s) usability-misc.

A. Update the package lists and upgrade the systemarchive.org.

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

B. Install the usability-misc package(s).

Using apt command line parameter --no-install-recommendsarchive.org is in most cases optional.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends usability-misc

C. Done.

The procedure of installing package(s) usability-misc is complete.

3. Run the Whonix Linux Installer.

whonix-xfce-installer-cli

4. Done.

Option B) Verify the Installer

The Linux Installer is signed by Whonix developer Patrick Schleizer using OpenPGP and signify.

Do you already how to perform digital software verification using an OpenPGP and/or signify key?

Option C) Manual Installation without the Installer

1. There is no need to use the Whonix Linux Installer.

The user is not forced to use the Whonix Linux Installer.

2. Manually install Whonix for VirtualBox.

Use the manual Whonix for VirtualBox instructions instead of the Whonix Linux Installer.

3. Done

Start Whonix

Starting Whonix is simple:

  1. Start VirtualBox.
  2. Double-click the Whonix-Gateway and Whonix-Workstation.

Support the Future of Whonix

Whonix is made possible thanks to the donation of people like you. ❤️

Please support the Whonix development with a donation.

Donate to Whonix

CLI

Whonix CLI in VirtualBox

  • Whonix with command line interface (CLI).
  • This version of Whonix is designed to run inside VirtualBox.
  • Whonix with CLI is a version suited for advanced users -- those who want Whonix without a graphical user interface (GUI). Everyone else should install the user-friendly Whonix VirtualBox with GUI Xfce.

TLS

1. Download.

curl --tlsv1.3 --output whonix-cli-installer-cli --url https://www.whonix.org/dist-installer-cli

2. Run the installer.

bash ./whonix-cli-installer-cli

onion

1. System Tor Setup.

Downloading via an onion service requires a functional system Tor. This aspect is not specific to Whonix and is undocumented.

2. Download.

torsocks curl --output whonix-cli-installer-cli --url http://www.dds6qkxpwdeubwucdiaord2xgbbeyds25rbsgr73tbfpqpt4a6vjwsyd.onion/dist-installer-cli

3. Run the installer.

bash ./whonix-cli-installer-cli --onion

Optional: Digital signature verification.

  • Digital signatures: A tool enhancing download security. Commonly used across the internet.
  • Learn more: Curious? Learn more about digital software signatures.
  • Optional: Digital signatures are optional. If you've never used them before, there might be no need to start now.
  • No worries: New to digital software signatures? It's okay, no need to worry.
  • Not a requirement: Not mandatory for using Whonix, but an extra security measure for advanced users.

Choose either Option A), Option B) or Option C).

Option A) Install the installer from the from the Kicksecure APT repository

1. Add the Kicksecure APT repository.

See Kicksecure logo Kicksecure Packages for Debian Hosts The Web Archive Onion Version

2. Install package usability-misc.

Because it contains the Whonix Linux Installer.

Install package(s) usability-misc.

A. Update the package lists and upgrade the systemarchive.org.

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

B. Install the usability-misc package(s).

Using apt command line parameter --no-install-recommendsarchive.org is in most cases optional.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends usability-misc

C. Done.

The procedure of installing package(s) usability-misc is complete.

3. Run the Whonix Linux Installer.

whonix-cli-installer-cli

4. Done.

Option B) Verify the Installer

The Linux Installer is signed by Whonix developer Patrick Schleizer using OpenPGP and signify.

Do you already how to perform digital software verification using an OpenPGP and/or signify key?

Option C) Manual Installation without the Installer

1. There is no need to use the Whonix Linux Installer.

The user is not forced to use the Whonix Linux Installer.

2. Manually install Whonix for VirtualBox.

Use the manual Whonix for VirtualBox instructions instead of the Whonix Linux Installer.

3. Done

Additional information about the Whonix Linux Installer.

Whonix Linux Installer

The Whonix Linux Installer streamlines the process of setting up Whonix on VirtualBox. While the earlier method required users to follow instructions on the Whonix for VirtualBox wiki page, this installer makes the entire process more intuitive. Here's an in-depth look at what it does:

  • Script Name Verification: The installer checks for valid script names, such as dist-installer-cli, Kicksecure logo virtualbox-installer The Web Archive Onion Version , whonix-cli-installer-cli, whonix-xfce-installer-cli.
  • Command-Line Parsing: It parses any command-line options provided.
  • System Requirements Check: The installer assesses if the system meets prerequisites like adequate disk space, RAM, and virtualization support. Users are informed if any of these criteria aren't met.
  • Package Installation: Necessary packages for the script's operation, like signify, curl, rsync, and vboxmanage (for VirtualBox users) are installed using the distribution's package manager (APT or DNF).
  • Repository Settings:
    • Debian and Derivatives:
      • For bullseye (oldstable): Enables the Debian backports and fasttrack repositories.
      • For bookworm (stable): Same as above.
      • For trixie (testing): Enables the Debian unstable repository and configures APT pinning to prefer packages from testing over unstable so only VirtualBox gets installed from unstable and no other dependency packages are unnecessarily pulled from unstable.
      • For sid (unstable): Installs from Debian unstable repository.
    • Fedora and Derivatives: Enables the virtualbox.org (Oracle) repository.
    • Updates: The preferred repository for VirtualBox installation may vary in the future based on availability. Updated installers might fetch VirtualBox from the Debian fasttrack repository, virtualbox.org (Oracle) repository, or the Kicksecure repository. (Whonix development discussion: VirtualBox Integration and Upgradesarchive.org)
  • Version Querying: If no version is specified via command line, the Whonix version number is fetched using the API.
  • Virtual Machine Handling:
    • For previously imported VMs, users are prompted to boot the virtual system(s).
    • For previously downloaded VM files, authenticity and integrity checks are run.
    • For first-time users, the installer downloads the required files, conducts authenticity and integrity checks, imports the system(s), and then attempts to start the Virtual Machine(s).
  • Inform user if VMs are already running and abort installation.

Additional Features:

  • Download Resumption: Utilizes rsync internally to enable download resumption capabilities.
  • Integrity Checking: Offers a streamlined integrity verification process, facilitated by rsync.
  • Onion Support: Allows for downloads from onion sources with the --onion command line option.
  • Default Download Directory: Files are saved in the ~/dist-installer-cli-download folder.
  • Logging Mechanics: For transparency, every command executed is logged in the download directory, accompanied by the specific script version used at the time.
  • Transparent System Modifications: The installer’s operations are evident to the user. All persistent system alterations, especially those executed with administrative ("root") privileges, are prominently detailed in the installer's output.
  • Documentation: Comprehensive details can be found in the dist-installer-cli man pagearchive.org.
  • Checks: Nested Virtualization, secure boot enabled check.

Developer Information:


Questions and Answers

Question Answer
Do I have to use the new Whonix Linux Installer? No. You can still manually install VirtualBox and import Whonix by following the instructions on the Whonix for VirtualBox wiki page.
Is the manual method for VirtualBox installation going to be deprecated? There's no such plan as of now. The manual method remains crucial as it offers compatibility with certain Linux distributions not supported by the Whonix Linux Installer.
Can I use Whonix-Gateway CLI in conjunction with Whonix-Workstation Xfce? Absolutely, find out more here.archive.org
Why should I prefer VirtualBox over KVM? For insights, visit Here.
Why choose VirtualBox instead of Qubes? The reasons are elaborated here.
Where can I find the main FAQ? Check out the Whonix FAQ.

Kicksecure

  • For users that are already using Kicksecure as their host operating system, installation of Whonix for VirtualBox is even simpler.
  • No need to manually download or verify the installer Whonix Linux Installer on Kicksecure hosts.
  • Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox is installed by default in Kicksecure.

Simply run one of the following commands.

For Whonix with Xfce (recommended):

  • whonix-xfce-installer-cli
  • whonix-xfce-installer-cli --onion

For Whonix with CLI (for advanced users only):

  • whonix-cli-installer-cli
  • whonix-cli-installer-cli --onion

  • See tab 'Debian, Fedora and Derivatives'.

Ubuntu

  • Minimum required version: Only Ubuntu Jammy (22.04) (LTS) has been tested.
  • Lower versions will not work. Please release upgrade your Ubuntu version first.
  • Higher stable Ubuntu versions will probably work.
  • See tab 'Debian, Fedora and Derivatives'.

Other Linux Distributions

  • The Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox is only supported for Debian, Fedora and their derivatives (such as Ubuntu, CentOS, RedHat or Kicksecure).
  • See manually install Whonix for VirtualBox (FREE!) to learn more and get started with Whonix.
  • Are you a developer? If your host operating system is unsupported, contributions to add support for Other Linux distributions are welcome.

Windows

Mac

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