Installing the latest version of Nessus on Kali Linux 2018.2 or later is extremely easy.

Start by visiting the [Nessus Essentials](https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus/nessus-essentials) and registering for the Essentials version of Nessus. Be aware that the Essentials version of Nessus can only scan 16 IP addresses at a time. It is safe to give your email address to Tenable, they are very good about not sending you emails unless you specifically sign up for them

Download the version for Debian 6, 7, 8, 9 / Kali Linux 1, 2017.3, either the 32bit or 64bit version, whichever works for you. However, you really should be using 64bit Linux by now.

Once it is downloaded, go to your downloads folder in the terminal and run the command *sudo dpkg -i Nessus-8.9.0-debian6_amd64.deb* (File name will change depending on the version you downlaoded) which will then install Nessus.

If you account is not in the suders file, run the *su* command and put in your root password and then run the command *dpkg -i Nessus-8.3.2-debian6_amd64.deb*

After that, run the command *sudo /etc/init.d/nessusd start* which will then start the Nessus daemon. If you are running as root (which you really should not do, use the command */etc/init.d/nessusd start*

Once the install has completed and the Nessus daemon has started, use Firefox or your favorite browser and go to https://localhost:8834 or https://kali:8834/ to access your Nessus installation. Confirm the security exception error thrown out by your browser

Set the Scanner type as Essentials, then paste in the registration code that the Tenable team sent via email and then select continue. Create a user for yourself and remember the login and password.

Nessus will then start downloading the updated plugins, be aware that this can take some time depending on your connection.

*Last updated 2020/02/12*