how do i safely start to use it in a new virtual box. step by step from dowloading it

To safely start using a VirtualBox environment, follow these step-by-step instructions: ### Step 1: Download VirtualBox 1. **Visit the Official Website**: - Go to the [VirtualBox download page](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads). 2. **Choose Your Platform**: - Select the version of VirtualBox suitable for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.). 3. **Download the Installer**: - Click on the download link for your operating system to start the download process. ### Step 2: Install VirtualBox 1. **Run the Installer**: - Locate the downloaded installer (e.g., `VirtualBox-6.1.xx-xxxx-Win.exe`) and double-click to run it. 2. **Follow Installation Prompts**: - Click through the installation prompts. You may want to keep the default settings unless you have specific requirements. 3. **Complete Installation**: - Once installation is complete, you may need to restart your computer if prompted. ### Step 3: Download an Operating System ISO 1. **Choose an Operating System**: - Decide what operating system you want to install in your VirtualBox. Common choices are Linux distributions (like Ubuntu, Fedora) or Windows. 2. **Download the ISO File**: - Go to the official website of the OS you chose and download the ISO file. Example for Ubuntu: - Go to the [Ubuntu download page](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop) and download the ISO. ### Step 4: Setup a New Virtual Machine 1. **Open VirtualBox**: - Launch VirtualBox after installation. 2. **Create a New Virtual Machine**: - Click the "New" button in the VirtualBox toolbar. 3. **Enter VM Details**: - **Name**: Give your virtual machine a name. - **Type**: Select the operating system type (Linux, Windows, etc.). - **Version**: Choose the version of the OS you are installing. 4. **Allocate Memory**: - Choose how much RAM to allocate to the VM. A minimum of 2GB is recommended for many operating systems, but more may be necessary. 5. **Create a Virtual Hard Disk**: - Select "Create a virtual hard disk now" and click "Create". - Choose the hard disk file type (default is VDI) and proceed. - Set the storage type (dynamically allocated is common). - Specify the disk size (20GB is a good starting point for many OSes). ### Step 5: Configure the Virtual Machine 1. **Select the New VM**: - Click on the VM you just created and click "Settings". 2. **System Settings**: - Under the "System" tab, adjust the boot order if necessary. Ensure that "Optical" is above "Hard Disk" for booting from the ISO. 3. **Storage Settings**: - Go to the "Storage" section. - Under the Controller: IDE, click on the empty disk icon and then click on the disk icon next to "Optical Drive". - Choose "Choose a disk file" and select the ISO file you downloaded. ### Step 6: Start the Virtual Machine 1. **Launch the VM**: - Select the VM and click the "Start" button. 2. **Install Operating System**: - Follow the onscreen instructions to install the OS within the VM. The process will vary depending on the OS selected. ### Step 7: Install Guest Additions (Optional) 1. **Enhance Performance**: - After installing the OS, you can install Guest Additions for better performance and additional features. - While the VM is running, go to "Devices" in the VirtualBox menu and select "Insert Guest Additions CD image...". - Follow the instructions inside the VM to install it. ### Step 8: Safe Usage 1. **Back Up Your VM**: - Regularly back up your VM to prevent data loss. 2. **Use Snapshots**: - Before making significant changes, consider taking a snapshot (Machine > Take Snapshot) to easily revert back if needed. 3. **Keep Software Updated**: - Ensure that both VirtualBox and your guest OS are kept up to date for security and stability. By following these steps, you can safely set up and start using VirtualBox with a new virtual machine. Always remember to follow best practices for security, especially if you're using the VM for sensitive activities.