HOW TO: Start Kali with a new unique hostname for each boot

[testingresults]

Given the popularity of this distro, seeing a computer named "kali" on a netowrk may raise a red flag. So, here is a way to avoid appearing as such:

To get situated, open a terminal and cd to your root directory:

cd ~

STEP 1: Create a script which will automate the procedure

In this terminal create a file.

touch newhostname
leafpad newhostname

Now, add the following lines to your newly created file:

#!/bin/bash

cp -n /etc/hosts{,.old}

newhn=$(cat /dev/urandom | tr -dc 'A-Za-z' | head -c8)
echo $newhn > /etc/hostname

echo "127.0.0.1    localhost" > /etc/hosts
echo "127.0.0.1    $newhn" >> /etc/hosts
cat /etc/hosts.old >> /etc/hosts
service hostname.sh stop
sleep 1
service hostname.sh start
xhost +$newhn
exit

Save it and exit leafpad.

STEP 3: Make it run at boot

Store it:

mv newhostname /usr/bin/newhostname

Make it executable

chmod +x /usr/bin/newhostname

Make it run at startup:

--Click on "Applications" --> "System Tools" --> "Preferences" --> "Startup Applications"
--Click "Add"
--Fill in:
----Name: New Host Name
----Command: /usr/bin/newhostname
----Comment: Start Kali with a different hostname each boot




-Click Save
-Clost Windows

All done!