Requirements

In order to make Cuckoo run properly in your virtualized Windows system, you will have to install some required softwares and libraries.

Install Python

Python is a strict requirement for the Cuckoo guest component (analyzer) in order to run properly.

You can download the proper Windows installer from the official website. Also in this case Python 2.7 is preferred.

Some Python libraries are optional and provide some additional features to Cuckoo guest component. They include:

They are not strictly required by Cuckoo to work properly, but you are encouraged to install them if you want to have access to all features available. Make sure to download and install the proper packages according to your Python version.

Additional Softwares

At this point you should have installed everything needed by Cuckoo to run properly.

Depending on what kind of files you want to analyze and what kind of sandboxed Windows environment you want to run the malwares in, you might want to install additional softwares such as browsers, PDF readers, office suites etc. Please remeber to disable the “auto update” or “check for updates” feature of any additional software.

This is completely up to you and to how you, you might get some hints by reading the Sandboxing chapter.