202409222006
Status: #idea
Tags: #tech #learning #pentesting #hacking

penetration testing

Free resources

Learning penetration testing requires a solid understanding of various tools, techniques, and methodologies. Here are some of the best free resources to get you started on the path to becoming a penetration tester:

1. Online Learning Platforms

• Cybrary
  • Cybrary offers a wide range of free courses, including penetration testing, ethical hacking, and various other cybersecurity topics. They provide hands-on labs, practice tests, and a community for discussions.
  • Recommended Courses: "Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking," "Advanced Penetration Testing"
• TryHackMe
  • A hands-on, lab-based platform designed for learners of all levels. TryHackMe provides learning paths, labs, and rooms focused on hacking and pentesting topics. Many rooms are free, and some paths start from basics to advanced levels.
  • Recommended Paths: "Pre-Security," "Offensive Pentesting"
    - Hack The Box (HTB Academy)
  • Hack The Box is a well-known platform for practicing penetration testing. HTB Academy offers both free and paid educational content with interactive labs and challenges.
  • Recommended Modules: "Introduction to Penetration Testing," "Web Application Security"

2. Books and Reading Materials

• The Web Application Hacker's Handbook (PDF)
  • One of the classic books on web application penetration testing. It covers a wide range of web vulnerabilities and testing techniques.
• OWASP Testing Guide
  • The OWASP Testing Guide is a comprehensive manual on web security testing. It's freely available and is one of the best resources for learning web app penetration testing methodologies.
• Pentest Standard (PTES)
  • The Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) is a framework for penetration testing. It provides methodologies for planning and executing penetration tests.

3. Vulnerable Virtual Machines and Practice Labs

• VulnHub
  • VulnHub offers free downloadable virtual machines designed to help users practice penetration testing and exploitation techniques. Each VM is deliberately vulnerable and comes with challenges to solve.
• DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application)
  • DVWA is a PHP/MySQL web application that is purposely vulnerable to a wide range of attacks. You can set it up locally to practice web exploitation techniques.
• Metasploitable 2
  • Metasploitable 2 is a vulnerable virtual machine designed for testing tools like Metasploit. It contains known vulnerabilities to exploit in a safe environment.

4. Community and Blogs

• Reddit - r/Netsec
  • This subreddit covers all things related to cybersecurity, penetration testing, and network security. It’s a great place to find recent vulnerabilities, news, and resources.
• TrustedSec Blog
  • TrustedSec is a leading penetration testing company, and their blog is packed with tutorials, case studies, and updates on security topics, particularly offensive security.
• HackerSploit YouTube Channel
  • HackerSploit is a YouTube channel offering in-depth tutorials on penetration testing, ethical hacking, and cybersecurity. It provides practical demonstrations of different tools and attacks.

5. Tools Documentation

• Kali Linux Documentation
  • Kali Linux is one of the most popular distributions for penetration testing. Its official documentation is a good starting point to learn about the tools that come pre-installed, such as Nmap, Metasploit, and Burp Suite.
• Metasploit Unleashed
  • Created by Offensive Security, this free course covers the basics and advanced use of the Metasploit Framework, one of the essential tools for penetration testers.

6. Certifications & Study Resources

• Practical Ethical Hacking by TCM Security
  • While the full course is paid, TCM Security offers a lot of free resources and videos on YouTube to help you prepare for certifications like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional).
• OWASP Top 10
  • Familiarizing yourself with OWASP's Top 10 vulnerabilities is crucial for anyone interested in web penetration testing. These are the most common security risks in web applications.

7. Free CTF Challenges

• CTFtime
  • CTF (Capture The Flag) challenges are a fun and engaging way to practice penetration testing skills. CTFtime aggregates various cybersecurity challenges and competitions that you can join for free.
• OverTheWire
  • OverTheWire provides a series of free games to learn and practice hacking skills in a controlled environment. Games like "Bandit" are great for beginners to learn the basics of Linux and networking.

8. GitHub Repositories

• PayloadsAllTheThings
  • This GitHub repo is a collection of useful payloads and tricks for a wide variety of vulnerabilities and security flaws, making it a handy resource when doing real-world penetration testing.
• Awesome-Pentest
  • A curated list of awesome penetration testing and offensive security resources on GitHub. This repository includes books, tools, courses, and various testing frameworks.

By combining theory (from books, courses, and documentation) with hands-on practice (labs, VMs, and CTFs), these resources will help you build strong penetration testing skills without needing to spend any money upfront.

References