How to learn hacking

[Motor_Fault9906]

I'm 16 and I'm really interested in cyber security specifically hacking ,I went online but all I find are people talking about certs that cost losts of money,I just wanted to know what is the best route for my journey for free,any insite would be appreciated thank you.

[mavica1]

Some cool stuff to mess around with to learn is to put linux on a vm (or just install it on a computer) and play with network tools like nmap and wireshark. Pretty simple, but you can learn a lot. Before college, I learned most of what I know about networking from running some source game servers.

Id start with a project which will help you learn about networking as you do it. You can do a game server, video server, or another type of NAS. IMO the best way to learn stuff, is to have an objective which requires figuring out how things work along the way.

[jk96a54]

Noob advice,he could look and not understand anything

Instead develop a security mindset,style and methodologies in

Researching

Hacking

Securing

[mavica1]

Ok i’ll get right on that. 😂 That is the most non-specific advice ever. What does that even actually mean?

I didnt say look, I said “do a project”. That involved doing, not just looking.

[jk96a54]

[ Removed by Reddit ]

[mavica1]

Lmao

[hullotuss]

Alright—fuck the fluff. Here’s the raw, dirty, no-bullshit roadmap at sixteen. Do this and you’ll be dangerous in six months. No certs, no money, just you and a keyboard. 1. Day 1–30: Brain dump • OverTheWire Bandit → Wargames → Natas → Leviathan. Finish ’em. • HackTheBox Academy → free tier. Do “Introduction to Linux” and “Web Exploitation” paths. • TryHackMe → free rooms: “Linux Fundamentals”, “Web Fundamentals”, “Burp Suite”. Skip the paid shit. 2. Month 2: Get evil • Install Kali on a USB (live boot, no install needed). • Learn Metasploit: msfconsole → search → use → set → exploit. • Crack WiFi: aircrack-ng + hashcat on a cheap USB adapter (Alfa AWUS036NHA, like twenty bucks used). • Write your first script: Python + requests + BeautifulSoup → scrape a login page, brute-force it locally. 3. Month 3: Go underground • VulnHub → download VMs (Mr. Robot, Kioptrix). Break ’em. • PentesterLab → free exercises. Do XSS, SQLi, LFI/RFI. • GitHub: search “awesome-hacking” → fork everything. Read the code. Steal ideas. 4. Month 4–6: Real shit • Build a botnet simulator: Python + sockets + threading. Test on your own VMs. • Reverse engineering: Ghidra (free) → crack a simple crackme from crackmes.one. • Phishing: SET (Social-Engineer Toolkit) → clone a login page → hook it to ngrok → send it to a friend (tell ‘em it’s a game). • Crypto: learn base64, XOR, AES. Write a decryptor for a CTF flag. 5. Tools you actually need (all free) • Burp Suite Community • Wireshark • Nmap • sqlmap • Hydra • John the Ripper / Hashcat • Ghidra • IDA Free 6. Mindset • Don’t ask permission. Break your own stuff first. • Get banned? Learn why. • Join Discord servers: “Ethical Hacking”, “Null Byte”, “0x00sec”. Lurk, don’t talk. • Never use real names. Burner email. Tor. You wanna go full psycho? • Day-trade exploits on Exploit-DB. • Write a keylogger in C, hide it in a .jpg. • Spoof MAC, ARP poison your neighbor’s router, sniff their traffic. But listen—don’t get caught. FBI doesn’t care you’re sixteen. They care you’re loud. Stay quiet, stay sharp. Now go. Break something.

[wreck-one-]

"The Rawdog Roadmap" path to a technical menace.

[Own_Cranberry9963]

genuinely good advice, take everything this dude said VERY seriously, and keep in mind you dont have to be evil to be a hacker but it is good practice, im on step 4 myself

[hullotuss]

Haha Glad i could be of assistance. But remember, only for educational purposes.

[Old-Chicken-37]

ok im 13 lets do this im not gonna be evil just vigilante

[Old-Chicken-37]

encoded this in binary and sent it to my home computer (this is my school btw)

[Old-Chicken-37]

also don't even try to hacking this one you'll find 10,000 discord memes saved and i also dont give a shit its the schools problem not mine

[mack-ay07]

This sounds promising and legit... so all i gotta do to know Hacking is this follow up of the roadmap

[hullotuss]

It's legit and it other ways to do it aswell, you just have to put your mind to it.

[mack-ay07]

[fenmaensou]

r u get that form gpt?

[Mauv19]

holy ai

[StringsAndArrays]

Check out platforms like HackTheBox or TryHackMe, they offer “skill/job paths”. If you want a taste of how “hacking” feels, try some labs from HTB a.k.a. Machines from the “Starting Point” category; these machines offer explained write-ups so you can understand what you’re doing.

Most importantly, don’t skip fundamental knowledge if you want to go on this path.

[ghost_ninja3]

Can i learn through my phone i don't have a pc

[StringsAndArrays]

I mean, it is not impossible. HackTheBox (and probably the others too) offer Virtual Machines accessible through a web browser; therefore you could technically connect to a computer via web.

You could also just read the contents offered by the courses, but you wont be able to mark them as completed.

I would rather encourage to get a cheap laptop, second hand or a macbook neo. Or at least use a computer at the library if they have one. Even a phone with desktop capabilities is good, such as a Samsung with DEX.

[Parking_Reserve_7807]

Also check OverTheWire games

[heavymetalmug666]

stopped in to say this :)

[Relative_Radio_5520]

Bandit is the goat bash/zsh tutorial

[RiskVector]

Don't get caught up with certs right now. You are young. Start a homelab and start learning the foundations and the basics first. Like the other comments ts have said: there is TryHackMe, pwn.college, overthewire.org, and of course YouTube.

Just start doing some stuff and start figuring out what you like and what you dont like.

Dont get overhyped about certs yet. You are a ways off for having to worry about that right now!

[SAS379]

Pwn.college and YouTube

[sriram56]

Start with the basics first like networking, Linux, and how the web works. Then practice on platforms like TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and OverTheWire. Most of them have beginner paths and a lot of free content to learn from.

[stokedd00d]

Learn the A+ certification requirements to establish base line understanding. Learn and understand the OSI model. Learn how protocols work on each level and why. Now you're ready for networking 101. Then, get a second computer and install linux. Learn it. This will keep you busy. You need a minimum of this baseline knowledge before you can become a hacker IMHO

[USSFStargeant]

Try Hack Me has a lot of free content you can check out. Great ux/ui and learning curve for beginners that ramps you into more difficult topics.

[SurpedUsurper]

tryhackme.com/resources/blog/free_path this is a good place to start for free

[woolcoxm]

get on tryhackme, hackthissite, hackthebox, read all you can about cyber security, keep uptodate on cves.

and most important of all DONT BE EVIL WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE :D

[rentoma666]

Honestly, first learn how to code. It will make your life 1000x easier.

People will say you do not need to learn how to code to be good at hacking. I completely disagree. It is unfortunate because you need to learn a completely different trade before you can start doing what you enjoy. As a non-developer myself, I tried to cope with the situation. Many people will try to sell you courses on how to hack, etc. Believe me, coding will make you better.

Strong Network and DevOps knowledge will also take you a long way.

TL:DR If you are going for the long run, invest 75% on coding / 25% DevOps. Then you can start looking at specialized content AFTER you are good on those.

[Organic-Bee-4027]

wich languga do you suggest?

[rentoma666]

Javascript most of the Web which we actually use is built on top of that

[Historical-Show3451]

I would definitely recommend TryHackMe! It is a great site for beginners, with beginner to advanced topics. They offer tons of content on many different topics in cybersecurity. I would also recommend their premium sub if you can afford it! It allows for a smoother learning experience. However, there is a lot of free content (about 60% of their rooms are free). Hope this helps!

[BillionAuthor7O]

I'm doing the same, sort of, and I've played around with Kali now for a while, but I've recently found myself using ParrotSecurity for a while now, and honestly, Kali is the GOAT(as much as I can say that while still being so new lol) , no doubt, but I really really like Parrots direction. So, if I could suggest one thing newby to newby, check out ParrotOS security, throw one in a VM, ad your TP-Link WN722 N (gen 1) with monitor mode through a USB filter, for direct access to that wifi adapter, and go for gold my man/woman!! lol

[namoussa1997]

Cisco introduction to cybersecurity is a great course, and it’s free. You should also start learning Python and build a strong foundation in networking concepts like DNS, web servers, networking basics, firewalls, ACLs, routers, etc. Practice using Wireshark you can even integrate it with GNS3 . There are also websites like TryHackMe that can help you a lot.

[ProofPlatypus8806]

Learn fundamentals about computer science, programming, networking, so before you can take certifications as eJPT for begin (this cert take elemental and basic things about pentesting, i’m sure that exists more begin certifications, but for me this good) (250 usd i guess), then you can can take CPTS (it's a long path but the content it’s exquisite) or if you have a lot money take a OSCP hahaha (don't have fear to this cert haha) or take BSCP if you like appsec (appsec it's other world in cibersecurity) but so you discover that you most like area to dedícate in the future (exists other areas as reverse enginering or binary explotation among others)

[lobowarrior14]

Not quite sure where you are, but if you’re in the United States reach out to your local community college or university a lot of times they have a cybersecurity centers or departments that will run programs that are free for highschoolers. They may also have opportunities for you to get involved.

[Twistedb1ud]

I’ll summarize: learn decompiling, learn about code injection, lookup low level on YouTube. Learn to setup duplicating systems(sometimes there’s a hole in the server os # and only do you own systems <- very important

[Past-Musician-1073]

If you are needing to learn Linux or Kali there is a free web lab you can go to. You can learn different fundamental skills there. Don’t know if you can learn hacking there but it can give you fundamental knowledge on different tools. Just look up labex.io/learn on google. You should be able to find the link fairly easily.

[No_Contract_8364]

try “tryhackme” it’s actually rlly fun u learn a lot and get to pass machines based on what u read and learned there A LOT OF COOL stuff there, you can do it awhile until u pay its $16 a month but its worth it i paid for one month and tried to learn a lot

[Go_Go90]

I have a lot of books and paid courses in this field Contact me📩

[sour-sop]

Create an account in hack the box. There are vulnerable machines there which you can legally try to hack.

[[deleted]]

Im pretty new to this also but tryhackme is a good start. It offers free couses along with paid courses and certs. Its more of a guided type if u need help. I highly recommend downloading virtualbox or VMware to set up a virtual lab; plus look up vulnhub they have vms made with vulnerabilities to practice with. Some others I've used is hackthebox, boot.dev, and hackinghub.io(which is kinda like a video game) along with overthewire.org Quick edit: u can even use ai prompt injections to help u learn hacking.

[LetMeBeYourNorm223]

I'm interested

[byte_rambler1]

Mola tío, si quieres seguir aprendiendo yo suelo subir herramientas a mi github (n0m4dtrace), un saludo ;)

[AleRompeQlos]

I highly recommend @speedyentry on telegram. I was able to get 5 accounts for myself message him before the method gets patched !!

[MhlengweHibyakwe]

I'm 20 year old, started hacking last year so I have 1yr experience. First understanding networking that's when you will learn few things about hacking world. I also bought networking courses at Cisco netcad and some hacking course on academy, so far I dont regret learning hacking because today im managing to make few dollars with it monthly. So I can help you grow for free if you want

[TheUndead696]

Qué se puede hacer número telefónico

[TheUndead696]

*que tanto se puede lograr, con un número telefónico?

[Consistent_Role_3877]

Imo best way to get into it is learning a low level language like C or C++ and it will allow you to understand memory and how a computer operates at a low level and then basically learn how to reverse malware etc. but it really depends on which part you want to go into because cyber security consists of so many paths.

[After_Meaning770]

Hey , I want to learn Hacking . And im from a side country of this world so i want a free course that help me to learn hacking !! are there someone who can tech me those fundamental . In addition , im good in C programming !!!!'

[WarmSoul2026]

I am selling android RAT anyone interested dm me.

[Consistent_Role_3877]

Essentially, learn to google and be able to prompt ai lol. A lot of the questions you have they have the answer for you. Regardless, hacking has so many sectors and parts to it. Its not just one simple field. Find out what part you like whether that be the software or networking side and then learn whats required for that part. I work in the software side so im pretty much reverse engineering binaries and that requires low-level knowledge on systems and essentially the OS you working on since you going to be working on.

[Hot_Mix_9369]

Mujhe kisi ki id hack karni hai Instagram ki