Complete Guide to Learning Ethical Hacking

1 month ago 7 Minutes

Complete Guide to Learning Ethical Hacking
 

It all started with a single click. An employee at a large company clicked on an email that looked completely ordinary. A few minutes later, all the company’s servers were locked, and a strange message appeared on the screens: "Pay 5 Bitcoins to restore your data."

This is just one of thousands of cyberattacks that happen daily. But the main question is: How can we prevent such disasters? The answer lies in the hands of ethical hackers.
 

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical Hacking is the process in which a cybersecurity expert, with legal permission and under supervision, examines, simulates attacks, and identifies vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and software. These individuals, known as ethical hackers or "White Hat Hackers," unlike malicious hackers, aim not to cause harm but to discover and report vulnerabilities before real attackers can exploit them.

Ethical hacking is one of the most critical branches of information security and plays a vital role in protecting data, digital infrastructure, and user privacy. This type of hacking involves using the same tools, methods, and mindset as black hat hackers, but with the goal of enhancing security, not illegal exploitation.

In short, ethical hacking means:

  • Hacking, but with the goal of protection
  • Penetrating systems, but with consent and permission
  • Discovering vulnerabilities, but to fix them, not exploit them

In many companies and organizations, ethical hackers serve as security consultants or penetration testers, continuously evaluating systems to ensure information security and minimize the risk of real attacks.
 

Why is Learning Ethical Hacking Important?

  • Enhanced Security: Organizations need ethical hackers to ensure the security of their networks and systems.

  • Excellent Career Opportunities: Ethical hacking is one of the highest-paying fields in IT.

  • Attack Prevention: Identifying bugs early can prevent significant damages.

  • Technical Skill Development: Learning cutting-edge tools and techniques.
     

How to Start Ethical Hacking?

Learning ethical hacking is not a linear path but a combination of technical skills, continuous practice, and familiarity with various tools and concepts. If you want to start from scratch and become a professional ethical hacker, follow these steps:

1. Understanding Basic Networking and Operating Systems

Before anything else, you need to understand the structure and functionality of networks and operating systems. Ethical hacking involves interacting with digital infrastructure, so a deep understanding of the following is essential:

  • Networking Concepts: Familiarity with TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, DHCP, VPN, NAT, and ports

  • Operating System Structure: Knowledge of file systems, services, user management, and permissions in two common operating systems:

  • Windows: For understanding enterprise network structures

  • Linux: The primary OS for hacking tools and servers
     

2. Learning Programming Languages

A successful hacker can read, analyze, and sometimes write code. You need at least one programming language for analyzing vulnerabilities and automating attacks:

  • Python: Simple, powerful, and ideal for writing penetration testing scripts

  • Bash: For managing and executing commands in Linux

  • JavaScript: For analyzing client-side web vulnerabilities

  • (In advanced stages: C/C++ for binary analysis and exploit writing)
     

3. Familiarity with Hacking and Security Tools

Tools play a key role in an ethical hacker’s work. You need to learn how to use, understand the capabilities, and apply popular tools correctly:

  • Nmap: For identifying systems on a network and scanning ports

  • Wireshark: Detailed packet analysis and detecting suspicious traffic

  • Burp Suite: Testing and analyzing web application security

  • Metasploit Framework: Executing exploits and advanced penetration testing

  • John the Ripper / Hydra: Password cracking

  • Nikto / Gobuster: Discovering web server vulnerabilities

🔍 Tip: Understand tools, don’t just use them. Knowing how they work is more important than blindly running commands.
 

4. Learning Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is the art of evaluating a system’s security through simulated attacks. This skill is at the core of ethical hacking and combines analysis, creativity, tools, and scenario-building:

  • Learning Penetration Testing Stages: Reconnaissance, information gathering, scanning, exploitation, maintaining access, and documentation

  • Practice in safe environments like:

    • Hack The Box

    • TryHackMe

    • VulnHub

    • PentesterLab
       

5. Learning Web and Application Security

Most real-world attacks target websites and applications. Therefore, understanding common web security vulnerabilities is crucial. The OWASP Top 10 is an excellent starting point:

  • SQL Injection: Injecting database commands

  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Executing malicious code in a user’s browser

  • Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): Performing unauthorized actions

  • Insecure Deserialization, Broken Authentication, and more

🧩 Recommended Tools: DVWA, OWASP Juice Shop, Burp Suite
 

6. Continuous Practice

Theoretical learning isn’t enough; consistent practice in practical environments is the key to progress in ethical hacking. A hacker’s mindset is built through daily practice and repeated failures.

  • Practice 30–60 minutes daily in CTFs or penetration testing environments

  • Solve security scenarios and study vulnerability reports (e.g., on HackerOne)

  • Participate in communities and read other hackers’ analyses

🎯 Recommended Practice Platforms:

TryHackMe (beginner to advanced), Hack The Box, CTFtime.org, PortSwigger Labs
 

Essential Tools for Starting Ethical Hacking

  • Kali Linux: A specialized OS for hacking and security

  • Burp Suite: Web application security testing

  • Hydra: Password testing and brute force attacks

  • Aircrack-ng: Hacking Wi-Fi networks
     

How to Practice Ethical Hacking?

You can use these resources for practice:

🧩 1. Hack The Box – For Real-World and Professional Challenges

Hack The Box (HTB) is one of the most popular platforms for practicing hacking and penetration testing, offering a realistic and often highly challenging environment for users.

  • Includes virtual machines with real vulnerabilities

  • Suitable for intermediate to advanced levels

  • Various challenges in Web, Crypto, Reverse Engineering, Forensics, and more

  • Its Academy section offers structured tutorials

🎓 Suitable for: Those who want to strengthen penetration testing skills in real-world scenarios and build a technical resume
🌐 Website: https://www.hackthebox.com
 

🧠 2. TryHackMe – Structured Learning from Zero to Advanced

If you’re new to ethical hacking, TryHackMe is the best choice. This educational platform provides an interactive, step-by-step learning environment.

  • Structured lessons with simple explanations for beginner to advanced concepts

  • Realistic scenarios with browser-based simulated environments

  • Specialized learning paths like Pre-Security, Complete Beginner, Offensive Pentesting

✅ Major Advantage: No need for tool installation or complex setups—everything runs in the cloud
🌐 Website: https://tryhackme.com
 

🏆 3. CTF Competitions (Capture The Flag) – To Test Your Skills

CTF competitions are security challenges where you must find "flags" or indicators of vulnerabilities in systems. These competitions are held in two main formats:

  • Jeopardy-style: A set of standalone challenges in various domains (cryptography, reverse engineering, web, networking, etc.)

  • Attack-Defense: Teams simultaneously defend their servers and attack others’ servers

🛠 Suitable for: Creative learning, teamwork, analysis, and problem-solving

🎯 Resources to Start:

  • https://ctftime.org (list of global CTF competitions)

  • PicoCTF – Suitable for beginners

  • Root-Me – Challenges categorized by level and topic
     

Ethical Hacking Learning Path in Summary

  1. Learn networking and operating system concepts

  2. Master a programming language

  3. Work with security tools

  4. Practice penetration testing in lab environments

  5. Participate in security challenges and CTF competitions
     

Conclusion

Ethical hacking is an exciting path filled with excellent career opportunities. With a strong foundation in networking, operating systems, and security tools, and through consistent practice, you can become a professional cybersecurity expert.
 

The Best Ethical Hacking Course

If you’re looking to learn ethical hacking from the ground up in a structured and professional way, one of the best options is a globally recognized, comprehensive course trusted by thousands. Fortunately, there’s a highly popular course that has paved the way for thousands of cybersecurity professionals:

🎯 Course Introduction:

  • ⏱️ Duration: 15 hours

  • 📚 Number of Lessons: 145 lessons

  • 🌐 Language: Simple English with "English subtitles"

  • 👥 Number of Students: Over 650,000 (on Udemy)

  • 🧑‍🏫 Instructor: Zaid Sabih – A well-known cybersecurity expert

This is the best-selling and top-rated ethical hacking course globally, with over 650,000 students on Udemy. The course covers everything from beginner to advanced levels, preparing you for a professional career in cybersecurity.
 

🔗 Course Link:

👉Complete Ethical Hacking Course (15 hours, 145 lessons)


🧩 Key Features of This Course:

  1. Step-by-step learning from absolute beginner to advanced

  2. No prior knowledge of programming or networking required

  3. Includes hands-on training with tools like Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, Aircrack-ng, SQLmap, Burp Suite, and more

  4. Special focus on hacking wireless networks, websites, and local systems

  5. Real-world lab environments for direct practice

  6. Analysis of attacks, real-world scenarios, and how to defend against them

  7. Support for practice files and virtual machines for hands-on learning

Learning from a reliable and professional source can save you from confusion among countless videos and articles, giving direction to your learning journey. With this course, you’ll not only learn tools and concepts but also how to think like a real hacker.

 

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