How to Access Kali Linux Remotely Using PuTTY

Guide for Beginners and Network Professionals.

Problem Statement:

You're trying to access your Kali Linux machine remotely using PuTTY, but when you enter the IP address and click connect, PuTTY throws a "Connection Refused" error. This is a common issue for beginners setting up remote SSH access to a fresh Kali installation.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Connect to Kali Linux Using PuTTY

Step 1: Install and Launch PuTTY on Your Windows System

• Download from the official site: https://www.putty.org
• No installation needed — it’s a portable executable.

Step 2: Get the Kali Linux IP Address

Open the terminal in Kali and run the following command:

ip a

Note: Find the IP under eth0 or wlan0 interface (like 192.168.1.100). This is the IP PuTTY will use.

Step 3: Install and Start SSH Server in Kali Linux

By default, Kali does not run the SSH server. To enable and start it, run the following commands one by one:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-server
sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh

To verify if the SSH server is running:

sudo systemctl status ssh

Press q to quit the status screen.

Step 4: Configure PuTTY on Windows

• Host Name (or IP): Enter Kali's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
• Port: 22
• Connection type: SSH

Click “Open”.

Step 5: Login from PuTTY

You’ll see a terminal window prompting for login. Enter your Kali credentials:

login as: kali
password: [your password]

If credentials are correct, you'll land in your Kali Linux terminal remotely.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

❌ Issue 1: PuTTY Shows "Connection Refused"

Cause: SSH service not running.

Fix: Start the SSH server manually:

sudo systemctl start ssh

❌ Issue 2: Incorrect IP Address

Cause: IP has changed or you're using the wrong interface.

Fix: Re-check the IP using the same command:

ip a

❌ Issue 3: Virtual Machine Network Misconfigured

Cause: If using VirtualBox/VMware, wrong network mode (e.g., NAT).

Fix:

• Use Bridged Adapter for local network access.
• Or use NAT with port forwarding (advanced).

❌ Issue 4: Firewall Blocking SSH

Cause: Firewall (like ufw) blocks port 22.

Fix: Allow SSH through the firewall:

sudo ufw allow ssh

🧠 Pro Tips

• Always keep your Kali system updated:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

• Use systemctl restart ssh after making SSH config changes.
• Avoid using root for remote login directly — use a standard user for security.

Conclusion

Setting up remote access to Kali Linux using PuTTY is essential for both convenience and learning. The most common obstacle is forgetting to start the SSH server. Once that’s resolved, PuTTY offers a reliable way to access your Kali system from Windows. This article walks through the full process with practical solutions to common roadblocks.