Ethical hacking

Chronological list of Resources to Learn Ethical Hacking from Complete Beginner to Advanced Level

rockyJan 5, 202319 min read

Are you looking to become an ethical hacker or just want to learn more about ethical hacking? Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, is the practice of using hacking techniques for defensive purposes. Ethical hackers are hired by organizations to find and fix vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

If you're interested in learning ethical hacking, there are a ton of resources available online to help you get started. In this article, we'll provide a chronological list of resources that you can use to learn ethical hacking from a complete beginner to an advanced level.

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, is the practice of using hacking techniques for defensive purposes. Ethical hackers are hired by organizations to find and fix vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

Ethical hacking is a valuable skill that can help organizations improve their cybersecurity defenses. Ethical hackers use their knowledge of computer systems and networks to identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

Ethical hackers follow a strict code of ethics and always have the permission of the organization they are working for before attempting to hack into their systems. They use their skills to help organizations improve their security rather than to gain unauthorized access or steal sensitive information.

In short, ethical hacking is the practice of using hacking techniques for defensive purposes, with the goal of improving an organization's cybersecurity defenses.

What are the Soft Skills Required

In addition to technical skills, ethical hackers should also possess a range of soft skills in order to be successful in their role. Some of the key soft skills required for ethical hacking include:

Communication skills: Ethical hackers need to be able to clearly communicate their findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Problem-solving skills: Ethical hackers need to be able to identify and solve complex problems in order to find and fix vulnerabilities in systems.
Analytical skills: Ethical hackers need to be able to analyze large amounts of data and draw logical conclusions from it in order to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Teamwork skills: Ethical hackers often work as part of a team, so it's important to have good teamwork skills in order to collaborate effectively with others.
Time management skills: Ethical hackers need to be able to manage their time effectively in order to complete tasks and meet deadlines.

In addition to these technical and soft skills, ethical hackers should also possess a strong sense of ethics and a commitment to following the law. It's important to always have the permission of the organization you are working for before attempting to hack into their systems, and to use your skills for defensive purposes only.

Discover The Roadmap : Ethical Hacking Roadmap – A Beginners Guide

Beginner Tips To Learn Ethical Hacking

Here are some tips for beginners who are interested in learning ethical hacking:

Start with the basics: It's important to have a strong foundation in computer science and programming before diving into ethical hacking. Make sure you have a good understanding of computer hardware and software, as well as at least one programming language.
Practice, practice, practice: The best way to learn ethical hacking is to practice on your own. Set up a lab environment and try out different tools and techniques on your own.
Join online communities: There are many online communities where you can connect with other ethical hackers and learn from their experiences. These communities can be a great resource for asking questions, sharing knowledge, and staying up-to-date on the latest trends in the field.
Read blogs and articles: There are many blogs and articles available online that cover different aspects of ethical hacking. Reading these resources can help you learn new skills and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques.
Consider getting certified: Obtaining a certification in ethical hacking can be a good way to demonstrate your skills and expertise to potential employers. Some popular certifications include the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

Prerequisites

Computer programming: Ethical hackers need to be proficient in at least one programming language in order to be able to write scripts and develop tools. Common programming languages used in ethical hacking include Python, Java, and C++.
Networking: Ethical hackers need to have a strong understanding of computer networks in order to be able to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. This includes knowledge of protocols, networking devices, and network architecture.
Operating systems: Ethical hackers should be familiar with a range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and MacOS.
Database concepts: Ethical hackers should have a basic understanding of database concepts and be able to work with databases.

Free Tutorial: Ethical Hacking Tutorial: The Ultimate Guide to Ethical Hacking

Beginner Level:

1. The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing" by Patrick Engebretson:(https://www.amazon.com/Basics-Hacking-Penetration-Testing-Ethical/dp/0124116442) This book is a great introduction to ethical hacking and covers the basics of hacking and penetration testing. It's a good starting point for anyone who is new to the field and wants to learn more about the concepts and techniques used in ethical hacking.

2. "Hacking for Dummies" by Kevin Beaver:(https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Dummies-Kevin-Beaver/dp/1119252245) This book is a great resource for complete beginners and covers the basics of ethical hacking in a straightforward and easy-to-understand manner. It covers topics such as network security, wireless networking, and malware.

3. "The Hacker Playbook 3: Practical Guide To Penetration Testing" by Peter Kim:(https://www.amazon.com/Hacker-Playbook-Practical-Penetration-Testing/dp/1980901759) This book is another great resource for beginners and covers the principles of penetration testing, which is a key aspect of ethical hacking. It includes hands-on exercises and real-world examples to help you understand the concepts and techniques discussed in the book.

4. "Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures" by EC-Council:(https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/) This online course is a comprehensive introduction to ethical hacking and covers a wide range of topics including network security, cryptography, and web application security. It's a good option for beginners who want to learn at their own pace.

5. "Hacking 101: Introduction to Ethical Hacking" by Null Byte:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvV14hDQjKU&ab_channel=NullByte) This online course is a great resource for beginners and covers the fundamentals of ethical hacking. It includes video tutorials and hands-on exercises to help you understand the concepts and techniques discussed in the course.

Beginner Topics to Master:

If you're just getting started with learning ethical hacking, there are a few basic concepts and topics that you'll want to master first. These include:

Networking basics: Understanding how networks function and the different protocols and technologies that are used is essential for understanding how to hack them.
Operating systems: You'll need to be familiar with the most common operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as the command line interface.
Programming: A basic understanding of programming concepts and languages, such as Python, is helpful for understanding how to write and execute exploits.
Security concepts: Familiarize yourself with basic security concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, availability (CIA triad), encryption, and authentication.
Information Gathering: This is one of the most important step in Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing, Understanding the target, reconnaissance, osint concept in cybersecurity. It describes techniques, risks, or controls that defenders and ethical hackers must understand to protect systems and conduct authorized security testing. Learning Footprinting helps you recognize attacks in the wild and apply industry-standard mitigations aligned with frameworks like OWASP and NIST.">footprinting, and social engineering.
Vulnerability scanning: Learn how to use tools such as Nessus, OpenVAS, and Qualys to identify vulnerabilities in a target system.
Enumeration: Learn techniques for discovering open ports, services, and users on a target system.
Exploitation: Learn how to exploit known vulnerabilities in order to gain access to a target system.
Post-exploitation: Learn how to maintain access to a compromised system and to gather information.
Reporting: Learn how to document your findings and create a comprehensive report that includes details about the vulnerabilities you discovered and the steps you took to exploit them.

These are the basics you will need to master to become proficient in ethical hacking, remember to practice and gain hands-on experience as much as possible.

Intermediate Level:

1. "Black Hat Python" by Justin Seitz:(https://www.amazon.com/Black-Hat-Python-Programming-Pentesters/dp/1593275900) This book is a great resource for intermediate level learners and covers the use of Python in ethical hacking. It teaches you how to write Python scripts to automate various tasks and shows you how to use Python to develop your own hacking tools.

2. "Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v12 Training Course" by Infosec Institute: https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh-training/

3. "Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking" by Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/ethical-hacking-and-penetration-testing-x/

4. "Advanced Ethical Hacking" by Pluralsight: https://www.pluralsight.com/paths/ethical-hacking-ceh-v11-prep

5. "Ethical Hacking" by LinkedIn Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/become-an-ethical-hacker

Intermediatetopics to master:

Once you have a solid understanding of the basics of ethical hacking, you can start to delve deeper into more intermediate topics. Some of these include:

Advanced networking: Learn about routing protocols, network topologies, and VPNs.
Advanced operating systems: Learn how to work with different types of operating systems and architectures, such as UNIX and mobile devices.
Advanced exploitation: Learn how to exploit more complex vulnerabilities, such as zero-days and privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
Advanced post-exploitation: Learn how to use tools such as Metasploit, Empire and Cobalt Strike for post-exploitation activity, lateral movement, and data exfiltration.
Malware: Learn about the different types of malware, such as viruses, Trojans, and rootkits, and how to detect and remove them.
Web application security: Learn about web application vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF, and how to exploit them.
Mobile security: Learn about the security issues specific to mobile devices and how to protect them.
Wireless security: Learn about wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and Zigbee, and how to secure them.
Reverse Engineering: Learn how to reverse engineer software, how to debug and how to identify vulnerabilities.
Cryptography: Learn the principles of cryptography and how to use encryption to protect data.

These are just a few examples of intermediate topics you can explore to continue your journey in Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing. Remember that the field is constantly changing and evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and techniques. It's also important to have a good understanding of the legal and ethical implications of hacking, to be aware of the laws related to it, and the potential consequences of illegal hacking.

Advanced Level:

1. "Advanced Persistent Threat Hacking: The Art and Science of Hacking Any Organization" by Tyler Wrightson: (https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Persistent-Threat-Hacking-Organization/dp/0071828362) This book is suitable for advanced level learners and covers advanced topics in ethical hacking such as advanced persistent threats (APTs). It teaches you how to think like a hacker and shows you how to use advanced hacking techniques to breach an organization's defenses.

2. "Advanced Penetration Testing for Highly-Secured Environments" by Wil Allsopp:(https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Penetration-Testing-Highly-Secured-Environments/dp/1849517746) This book is suitable for advanced level learners and covers advanced topics in penetration testing, such as testing highly-secured environments and evading detection.

3. "The Hacker's Handbook: The Strategy Behind Breaking Into and Defending Networks" by Susan Young and Dave Aitel:(https://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Handbook-Strategy-Breaking-Defending/dp/0849308887) This book is suitable for advanced level learners and covers the principles of network security and the tactics used by both ethical hackers and malicious hackers.

4. "The Art of Memory Forensics: Detecting Malware and Threats in Windows, Linux, and Mac Memory" by Michael Hale Ligh, Andrew Case, Jamie Levy, and Aaron Walters:(https://www.amazon.com/Art-Memory-Forensics-Detecting-Malware/dp/1118825098) This book is suitable for advanced level learners and covers the use of memory forensics in detecting malware and threats. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in incident response and digital forensics.

5. "Practical Malware Analysis" by Michael Sikorski and Andrew Honig:(https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Malware-Analysis-Hands-Dissecting/dp/1593272901) This book is suitable for advanced level learners and covers the principles of malware analysis and the tools and techniques used to reverse engineer malicious software.

Regardless of which resource you choose, it's important to note that learning ethical hacking requires a strong foundation in computer science and programming. If you're not already proficient in these areas, you may want to consider taking some online courses or reading some books on these topics before diving into ethical hacking.

Advance topics to master:

Once you've mastered the basics and intermediate topics of ethical hacking, you can begin to explore more advanced topics. These include:

Advanced penetration testing: Learn how to perform advanced penetration tests, such as social engineering, physical security assessments, and red teaming.
Advanced threat intelligence: Learn how to gather and analyze information about potential threats to your organization in order to develop effective defense strategies.
Advanced incident response: Learn how to detect, investigate, and respond to security breaches.
Advanced exploitation techniques: Learn about advanced exploitation techniques, such as heap and stack overflows, ROP chains, and Return-oriented programming (ROP)
Advanced post-exploitation techniques: Learn about advanced post-exploitation techniques, such as pivoting, persistence, and data exfiltration.
Advanced Malware Analysis: Learn how to analyze and understand the behavior of malware, and how to develop techniques for detecting and reversing malware.
Advanced Network and Web Security: Learn about advanced techniques for securing networks and web applications, such as honeypots, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and web application firewalls.
Cloud Security: Learn about security considerations specific to cloud environments, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure
Internet of Things (IoT) Security: Learn about security considerations specific to IoT devices and how to secure them.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in security: Learn about the use of AI and machine learning for security purposes such as intrusion detection, threat hunting and automated incident response.

These are just a few examples of advanced topics you can explore in Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing. Remember that this field is constantly changing and evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and techniques. It's also important to remember that becoming a successful ethical hacker requires a combination of knowledge, hands-on experience, and critical thinking skills.

Discover: 15+ Essential Ethical Hacking Books for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Master the Art of Ethical Hacking

Useful Blogs / Video courses / Youtube Channels / Android Apps

Here are some additional resources for learning ethical hacking, organized by type:

Which programming language should i learn

It's generally a good idea for aspiring ethical hackers to learn at least one programming language. Some of the most popular programming languages used in ethical hacking include:

1. Python

Python is a versatile programming language that is widely used in the cybersecurity industry. It has a large number of libraries and frameworks specifically designed for hacking tasks, making it a popular choice for ethical hackers.

Some of the things you can do with Python in ethical hacking include:

Write scripts to automate tasks: Python is a great language for automating repetitive tasks, such as scanning a network for vulnerabilities or parsing log files. You can use Python scripts to save time and improve efficiency in your ethical hacking work.
Develop custom tools: Python has a large number of libraries and frameworks specifically designed for hacking tasks. You can use these libraries to develop custom tools for tasks such as network scanning, password cracking, and web application testing.
Work with data: Python has a number of built-in libraries for working with data, such as parsing CSV files and working with databases. You can use these libraries to analyze data and draw conclusions from it, which can be useful in ethical hacking.
Create graphical user interfaces (GUIs): Python has a number of libraries for creating GUI applications, such as PyQt and Tkinter. You can use these libraries to create custom GUI tools for ethical hacking tasks.
Integrate with other tools: Python has a number of libraries for interacting with other tools and systems. You can use these libraries to integrate Python scripts with other tools in your ethical hacking workflow.

2. Java

Java is a popular programming language that is used in a wide range of applications, including web development and Android app development. It's a good choice for ethical hackers due to its versatility and the large number of tools available for cybersecurity tasks.

As an ethical hacker, you can use Java to:

Write scripts: Java is a general-purpose programming language that can be used to write scripts for a wide range of tasks. For example, you can use Java to write scripts that automate tasks, such as scanning networks or detecting vulnerabilities.
Develop tools: Java is a powerful language that can be used to develop a wide range of tools for ethical hacking. For example, you can use Java to create custom tools for tasks such as password cracking or network scanning.
Build web applications: Java is a popular choice for web development, and as an ethical hacker, you can use your Java skills to build web applications that are secure and resistant to attacks.
Analyze and manipulate data: Java has a range of libraries and frameworks that can be used for data analysis and manipulation. As an ethical hacker, you can use these tools to analyze and manipulate data for tasks such as network analysis and vulnerability assessment.

3. C++

C++ is a powerful programming language that is often used in the development of operating systems, web browsers, and other low-level applications. It's a good choice for ethical hackers who want to learn a language that is widely used in the industry.

Some of the things you can do with C++ in ethical hacking include:

Develop custom tools and scripts: C++ is a good choice for developing custom tools and scripts for ethical hacking tasks. For example, you could use C++ to write a tool that automates the process of scanning a network for vulnerabilities.
Reverse engineer malware: C++ is often used in the reverse engineering of malware. Ethical hackers can use C++ to disassemble and analyze malicious code in order to understand how it works and find ways to defend against it.
Write exploits: Ethical hackers can use C++ to write exploits for vulnerabilities that they have discovered. This can be useful for demonstrating the severity of a vulnerability and for testing the effectiveness of defenses against it.
Develop custom libraries: C++ is a good choice for developing custom libraries for use in ethical hacking tasks. For example, you could create a library of functions for performing network scans or cracking passwords.

Discover: Most Popular Programming Languages for Ethical Hacking

Ultimately, the best programming language to learn will depend on your personal interests and goals. It's a good idea to research and compare the different languages to determine which one is the best fit for you.

Does Ethical Hacking Have Future

Yes, ethical hacking has a bright future. Cybersecurity is an increasingly important concern for individuals and organizations around the world, and ethical hackers play a crucial role in helping to protect against cyber threats.

As the number of cyber attacks continues to rise, there is a growing demand for skilled ethical hackers who can help organizations secure their systems and protect sensitive data. This trend is likely to continue as technology becomes more advanced and the number of connected devices increases.

In addition, the demand for ethical hackers is not limited to the tech industry. Many industries, including finance, healthcare, and government, are also in need of ethical hackers to secure their systems and protect against cyber threats.

Overall, the future looks bright for ethical hackers. With the right skills and experience, you can find rewarding and lucrative career opportunities in this field.

FAQ

Here are some common questions and answers about ethical hacking:

Q: What is ethical hacking?

A: Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, is the practice of using hacking techniques for defensive purposes. Ethical hackers are hired by organizations to find and fix vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

Q: How do I become an ethical hacker?

A: To become an ethical hacker, you will need to have a strong foundation in computer science and programming. You can learn these skills through online courses, books, or in-person classes. You may also want to consider earning a certification, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field.

Q: What tools do ethical hackers use?

A: Ethical hackers use a variety of tools to perform their tasks, including network scanners, vulnerability scanners, password cracking tools, and packet sniffers. It's important to note that these tools can also be used by malicious hackers, so ethical hackers must use them responsibly and in accordance with the law.

Q: Is ethical hacking legal?

A: Ethical hacking is generally legal as long as it is done with the permission of the system owner. Ethical hackers must also follow all relevant laws and regulations, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the United States.

Q: Is ethical hacking the same as cybersecurity? '

A: Ethical hacking is a subfield of cybersecurity, which involves protecting computer systems and networks from attacks and unauthorized access. Ethical hackers focus specifically on finding and fixing vulnerabilities in systems, while cybersecurity professionals may also be responsible for other tasks such as incident response and risk management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethical hacking is a valuable skill that can help organizations improve their cybersecurity defenses. There are a variety of resources available online to help you learn ethical hacking, including books, online courses, and bootcamps. It's important to have a strong foundation in computer science and programming in order to succeed in this field.

If you're interested in becoming an ethical hacker, it's also a good idea to consider obtaining a certification such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). These certifications can help you stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your expertise in the field.

Remember, it's important to always follow the law and use your hacking skills for defensive purposes only. With dedication and hard work, you can become a proficient ethical hacker and help organizations protect themselves from malicious attacks.