Retro VM+

Retro VM+ is not just another cybersecurity app-A Rust-based interactive cybersecurity app focused on practical ethical hacking concepts. It offers two modes—Normal Mode and Ghost Mode—with hidden CTF-style flags throughout. Ghost Mode launches a Kali Linux VM via QEMU (triggered by Shift+D), while Normal Mode simulates real-world attack scenarios like fake virus popups on incorrect password entry. It features a SHA-256-based notepad, a retro 1996-themed chatbot (Ollama), a Vedic math game unlocking secret terminals, and a hacker CLI with tools like phishing detectors, fake site generators, and footprint scanners. Additional gamified elements include a chess board with cyber notes and a floppy disk game using steganography logic. The terminal also has network scanner which has a trained ML model to do so.

Why It Stands Out

What sets Retro VM apart is its layered design. On the surface, it looks like a nostalgic app with games, animations, and classic UI. But beneath that is a powerful, hands-on cybersecurity training platform. From launching a real Kali Linux virtual machine to simulating phishing attacks and scanning networks using AI-powered tools, Retro VM turns learning into a secret mission.

Key Features That Make Retro VM+ Unique

Ghost Mode-> Unlocks stealth mode with dark visuals and access to hidden tools like the Kali Linux VM.

Virtualized Kali Linux-> Press Shift + D in Ghost Mode to boot Kali Linux inside a secure QEMU sandbox using local ISO and QCOW2 assets. Great for safe, offline ethical hacking practice.

Fake Virus Simulation-> Entering the wrong password (hola amigo!) in Normal Mode triggers a prank malware outbreak that floods the screen with notepads. A fun way to simulate what social engineering attacks can look like.

SHA-256 Encrypted Notepad-> Users can type notes and encrypt them using SHA-256. Decryption is possible only within the app — teaching about hashing and secure data handling.

1996-Themed AI Chatbot-> Powered by Ollama and Transformers, this retro-style assistant provides cybersecurity tips and math logic in a terminal-style interface.

Vedic Math Challenge Unlocks Terminal-> Score 2048+ in the math game → press Ctrl + H, then Ctrl + Alt + G → boom, the Hacker Terminal appears.

Rust-Powered Hacker Terminal

Real CLI tools built into the terminal:

phishgen: Builds phishing sites & exposes them via Ngrok.

netscan: Network scanner using NLP + ML (NLTK, XGBoost).

footscan: Digital footprint analyzer for browser metadata.

Cyber Chess with a Twist-> The "Save" button in chess opens an interactive cybersecurity tutorial. It's logic meets learning.

Floppy Disk Game – Steganography in Action-> Win the game to embed secret text inside images using steganography. Lose, and your message is saved in unrecoverable binary. A visual metaphor for encryption gone wrong.

The Vision

Retro VM+ transforms complex cybersecurity concepts into an interactive, explorative, and rewarding experience. Whether you're a beginner or an aspiring hacker, it encourages you to dive deeper, experiment safely, and learn by doing — not reading.

It’s not just an app. It’s a CTF-inspired simulator, a training ground, and a retro hacker’s paradise.

“In a world full of tutorials, Retro VM+ hands you the keyboard, shuts the door, and lets you find your way out.”

📦 Requirements

✅ Prerequisites

Tool Required For
Rust Core app, QEMU launcher
Python 3.10+ ML, chatbot, API calls
QEMU Booting Kali Linux VM
Ngrok Phishing site tunneling
Kali ISO Virtual hacking system

Folder Structure:

project/
├── assets/
│   ├── kali-linux.iso│   
│   ├── kali-qcow2
│   └── qemu/
│       └── qemu-system-x86_64(.exe)
├── src/
│   ├── main.rs
│   ├── modes
│   ├── models
│   ├── servers
├── requirements.txt
├── Cargo.toml
└── README.txt

🔐 Real-World Cybersecurity Concepts Simulated

Concept Implemented In
Virtualization Kali Linux boot via QEMU
Red Team Tactics Phishing site, fake malware
Hashing SHA-256 Notepad encryption
Data Loss Simulation Floppy Game (delete-on-fail)
OSINT Footprint footscan module
Risk Detection Network & extension scanner with ML
LLM & Security Chat Ollama chatbot

📝 Installation & Setup Guide

Retro VM is a gamified cybersecurity simulation app built with Rust and Python. Follow the steps below to install, configure, and run it on your system.


System Requirements

  • OS: Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, or Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+)
  • RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
  • Storage: 5 GB+ free
  • CPU: Multi-core (4+ cores, virtualization supported)
  • GPU: DirectX 11 or OpenGL 3.3+ compatible
  • Tools Required:
    • Git
    • Python 3.8+
    • Rust (via rustup)
    • QEMU
    • Ngrok

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. CLONE THE PROJECT FROM GITHUB $ git clone https://github.com/Cyberpunk-San/osdc.git $ cd osdc

  2. INSTALL PYTHON DEPENDENCIES $ pip install -r requirements.txt

  3. INSTALL RUST (IF NOT INSTALLED) $ curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh $ rustup update $ cargo --version

  4. DOWNLOAD KALI LINUX ISO

  5. SETUP QEMU

    • Download QEMU for your OS:
    • Create a directory: /assets/qemu/
    • Place the QEMU binary in that folder: Example: /assets/qemu/qemu-system-x86_64
  6. INSTALL OLLAMA (FOR CHATBOT) Download Ollama from: https://ollama.com

    Follow installation steps for your OS.

    After installation, run: ollama run mistral

Ensure Ollama is running before starting Retro VM.

  1. CREATE QCOW2 VIRTUAL DISK $ qemu-img create -f qcow2 assets/kali-linux.qcow2 30G

  2. BUILD THE PROJECT $ cargo build --release

  3. RUN RETRO VM $ cargo run

Optional Notes

  • To run in release mode (faster): $ cargo run --release

  • To rebuild: $ cargo clean $ cargo build

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