WiFi adapter requirement after full Kali installation

Hi everyone

I’m planning to install Kali Linux on my laptop soon, mainly to learn about wireless penetration testing and network security.

Before I go ahead, I wanted to ask: will I need an external WiFi adapter after installing Kali, or can I use my laptop’s built-in WiFi card? I’m not sure if it supports monitor mode or packet injection, and I’ve heard that many built-in cards don’t.

Any advice or recommendations for compatible USB WiFi adapters would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!

The Alfa range of wireless adapters have good support in Kali.

I would highly recommend getting an external adapter, because you can add external antennas.

Edit: One thing though, make sure the adapter has an Atheros not a realtek, as the Atheros is fully supported, often out of the box, the RealTek is more finicky.

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Atheros and Mediatek chipsets are good.

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