In this project, I will document the process of creating a Cybersecurity Lab at home. The goal is to establish an environment protected from potential attacks or exploits that an external malicious user might try to take advantage of. I will be building this from scratch and will make sure to document every single step, as I believe this will help me reflect better when I want to update or change something.
This is not a tutorial or guide, just a documentation of my work and progress, the way I approach it.
I want to mention that you don’t have to follow every step exactly as I did. I’ll be documenting everything, including some details that may not be strictly necessary.
Note
It is possible that my documentation and project may contain some mistakes or errors. Therefore, some prior knowledge of the topic is necessary to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.
Before starting, I created a prototype of the network plan using Draw.io. The goal was to visualize my ideas and ensure that everything could be connected logically. I didn’t focus much on design, as I wanted to confirm the plan’s feasibility before refining its appearance.
These are some of the points I wanted to include in my Cybersecurity Lab:
- Containers
- Kali Linux
- Firewall / monitoring tools
- Private network for protection from external threats
- IP configuration
- Subnetting
- Possible Testing Environment
| network plan - draw.io |
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Throughout this project, I will be adding to and adjusting my documentation as needed. For now, here are the essential components you'll need:
Before I actually began the project, I wanted to install and configure all the necessary software, ISO files, etc., so that everything was ready for the CSL. The goal was to prepare everything in advance and save time during the different stages of the project.
For the Proxmox installation and configuration, I used the documentation provided by Proxmox themselves and followed it step by step. Keep in mind to read carefully and not just click through—take the time to understand each step.
Caution
Installing the Proxmox ISO Installer will permanently overwrite the disk it is installed on, as it is a bare-metal installer. This means that any existing data will be permanently removed. Proceed with caution!
You should be able to install it on your own, as the documentation is quite clear. Here are the steps I followed for the installation:
- Download the Proxmox ISO image installer (in my case the 8.2-2 version)
- Download Rufus or another USB burning tool
- Burn the Proxmox ISO onto a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space
- I used my old laptop to boot Proxmox from the USB drive --> BIOS
- Proceed with the Proxmox installation
Warning
As mentioned earlier, burning this disk with the Proxmox ISO file will permanently erase ALL DATA on the selected disk!
I proceeded with the installation and setup of Proxmox on my Acer laptop but encountered several issues. When I attempted to apply the configurations I had made, an error kept occurring despite my various attempts to fix it. The root of the problem was that the Proxmox installer had difficulties with the laptop's partition. I tried multiple solutions, but unfortunately, none were successful.
To keep a long story short, the real reason Proxmox had issues with my laptop’s partition was that the eMMC itself was damaged or faulty.
If you’d like to read through my troubleshooting process, you can find all the documentation in the troubleshooting folder or here.
Tip
My ACER Switch Alpha 12 came with eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) storage, commonly found in budget devices due to its low cost. While eMMCs work for basic tasks, they lack the speed and durability needed for more demanding use. A better option is an SSD, which offers faster performance and greater reliability, making it ideal for long-term, intensive tasks.
Note
Highlights information that users should take into account, even when skimming.
Tip
Optional information to help a user be more successful.
Important
Crucial information necessary for users to succeed.
Warning
Critical content demanding immediate user attention due to potential risks.
Caution
Negative potential consequences of an action.
- YouTube: Gerard O'Brien, Building the Ultimate Cybersecurity Lab
- Medium: TheInfoSec Guy
- ChatGPT: OpenAI
- Friends