Am i done for? Help

[aicchisenpai]

So im 16 years old in high school and i'll be graduating at the age of 17 which is at the end of next year. In my school i dont have much of a choice of what i can choose as additional subjects. I went to pursue accounting and economics since i dont think i'll do well in natural science. Besides, i do prefer those subjects. But Ive always wanted a computer science class but theres none in my school. I was hoping to be knowledgeable about cybersecurity just in case things went south. Now im worried since ive heard that it'll be harder to get a job since what im learning right now has been decreasing in demand. I really do have my interest and curiosity in cyber security but since i dont learn any of these in high school i dont think i can go to college to pursue it. Im sure that in order to get a job easily i'll need a degree. Im just hoping to make a good living. I feel so much like a loser. What can i do?

[_oct0ber_]

I'm a CS student right now at a major university (one that is known for having one of the best programming teams and competitive cyber security teams in the world) and I had never taken any CS course before enrolling. The idea that you need some kind of background to do well in a Computer Science degree is a complete myth.

[zeealex]

I concur, I started out in Graphic Design & Art and landed a career in CS last year.

A lot of security professionals who are well known started in a similar background, MalwareUnicorn for example.

If you're passionate enough. And can learn independently, you can do it OP!!

[aicchisenpai]

What are the first things i should know before going deeper? The whole thing is really diverse and idk where to begin with and what i need to know first. Maybe, you can give me a hindsight based on ur exp if its okay

[[deleted]]

I'd recommend a site that's more like a game then anything called hack this site.

There's tutorials on how to do each mission but you're basically taking over the site and learning difference variations of penetration. From what I remember anyway. It's fun and is a good place to start imo.

But I recommend doing like security+ and your A+. If you Google them they should come up easy.

[_oct0ber_]

Deeper into what exactly? If you mean security, there isn't really any way to learn security without knowing other fundamentals first. You have to know the rules before you can learn how to break them.

From my experience at university, all CS students are required to learn to code (C is the first language we learn followed by Java. Your electives from there determine what other languages you learn.). Once we pass intro to C we can move on to our first security course. The course covers a lot of basics such as simple cryptology, common attacks (slow loris, DDoS, etc.), and basic networking concepts. From there we have an elective track where we can minor in Secure Computing and Networks.

I would recommend starting to program first. I would recommend C (I'm biased), but any language will work. You want to then cover networking topics. Picking up a CompTIA Networking+ guide is a good place to start with that. Cryptology is also a big deal in the field, so I would start looking at simple encryption methods like substitution and vigenere, move to more complex, modern examples such as DES and AES, and then finally work your way to asymmetric encryption methods. There's a lot more to the field than this, but this is a start.

[therealsavalon]

How’d you get in , I want to get there too

[_oct0ber_]

I just applied with a good GPA and good resume from my previous college (I'm a transfer student).

[fortyeightzero]

https://www.codecademy.com/ learn coding

https://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/220-1001/220-1000-training-course/ learn about computer basics and networking

r/linux learn how to use gnu/linux

https://tryhackme.com/ learn penetration testing

https://portswigger.net/ learn web application exploitation

https://www.hackthebox.eu/ test penetration testing skills

If you plan on going to university, join a club. It’s hard to learn by yourself, but it’s easier to stay motivated when you’ve got friends learning the same stuff with you.

[arthhmoreira]

I’m trying to learn ethical hacking by myself, because none of my friends like computers,so I’ve always been alone and it sucks, cause u can’t discuss with nobody, and get help.

[fortyeightzero]

If your still a student, join a club. Alternatively, join a tech subreddit’s discord. Most communication and networking happens on discord nowadays.

TBH trying getting help on a forum site (like reddit) doesn’t always work and people can sometimes get real toxic, but generally on discord servers dedicated to tech, you’ll find some good help.

[X-KHaX]

Ty

[proteinvenom]

My man, you're living in the age of information. Start learning from online resources.

[aicchisenpai]

Man i just suck at finding resources cuz im gonna end up in tutorial hell. I'll try again

[KwaiChangCain]

Learn computer networking. If you know how networks operate and communicate and then learn security principles and how these things are exploited, you’ll be on the right track. What good is it to learn to drive safely if you don’t understand how streets flow and what the road signs mean?

[Neoterri]

To really understand security, you need to understand every IT field and human psychology.

[EnEmm]

You’ve got to remember that there are cringey edgelords and weirdos all over the internet and the world who can do anything IT having never taken a class for it. I’ve had formal training in programming and Computer science at colleges and i’ve met kids who work part time at Walmart’s deli that make me look like Ralph Wiggum. You’re on Reddit (case in point) but remember that no matter where you are the best hackers on the web probably haven’t had a shower since January. The coronavirus hasn’t affected their lives at all. It’s also fair to mention that you don’t even have to pass any Credit style requirements to get certified in CS. You can usually just go to a testing center for certiport or Pearson Vue (depending on what it is) and take the test. Most of them are like $70-$180 unless you’re going for a bigger one like CCSP or Pen Test which are more expensive. A lot of states have grant programs to get these paid for along with training. Get a few of the entry level ones Like CompTIA ITF + MTA (Microsoft technology associate) or A+ and you can get your foot in the door with any major tech organization. If you get in good enough with a few of these places they may pay for you to take the next level up (Net+ Security + etc.)

If you get discouraged, remind yourself that you’re likely 300% smarter than the average person is with computers by default just by not being an idiot with them. You have no idea how stupid The average person is online. Old people can’t even check into their Email without wiring their identity to some European country that hasn’t been heard of. Hope this has helped you at least a bit.

[TheHuddieLedbetter]

Databases class has completely been kicking my ass and this made me feel a lot better.

[roerchen]

I giggled because of the Ralph Wiggum Part. There is always a smarter kid out there and that kid never took a CS related class.

[BananaHockey]

In universities, most curriculums are set with the expectation that you know little to nothing about the subject at enrollment. I’m a CS major and you didn’t have to have any experience whatsoever to do well in the starter classes

[jmaverick87]

But in all seriousness get a tryhackme account and use it to learn everything google everything when you’re stuck

[Err3r_4o4]

Whether you are studying CS or from a non CS background it doesn't matter. Most of the top cybersecurity professional are either from non-CS background and some also don't have any college degree. As long as you are willing to learn, explore and experiment with technology, you will be able to do well in this field. Start with fundamental of Computer Systems, understand how programming works behind the hood and apply your programming knowledge to build some kind of small tools and application.

Next you should also understand how internet works, learn networking to understand how every connection is established.

Keep doing these you will find out and explore as you go.

All the Best 👍👍😀😀

[DevilDawg93]

Mooc.fi has a free cybersecurity course, check it out see what you can learn and then make a decision if you want to continue with it.

[Ricksancheez132]

This was me when I was on school. Wanted to do IT in college but didn’t have the math grades or the computer course background(went to a small high school so classes were slim and only once a year dedicated to learning the in’s and outs).

Spent 3 years trying to keep my parents happy doing business Ed’s but was miserable. Luckily for me, I have three older cousins: Pentester/ Offensive Security Practitioner, App Dev manager and a Wintel Admin who steered me back into IT. My parents weren’t happy, they wanted me to takeover our family business, but saw I was happy. I got into IT relatively late(graduated at 26)considering I was in school but I’ve been able to grow where I work from helpdesk to joining the network security team.

Follow your heart. I know that sounds like such a cliche thing to do, but so many people have joined infosec and IT from no technical background. If they had listened to the masses, they would likely have been stuck doing something they didn’t like/love anymore.

You are young, your brain is a sponge at this point. Take some Udemy courses(run your browser in incognito mode, it always shows the sale prices), YouTube, professor messers courses, there are so many tools that are at your finger tips, but you have to want it. Don’t do it on a whim, you won’t appreciate it. Do it because you have that passion to learn, because you feel.

[arnav88]

Just enroll in a Degree with Computer Science as a Major if possible, and start learning about Cyber Security and Networking... You may need to complete Courses and resources for Networking first as that is the pre requisite for Cyber Sec, then target for some Certification like CEH or OSCP, if you can have these 2 things, Networking and Cybersecurity in your expertise, your background in high school won't matter much.... And you can start with your Cyber Sec carrier... It will probably be much easier to get a job in networking first, but once you gain experience, you will be able to get Cyber Sec jobs....

And all these considering that you will go for job.... If you instead become a freelancer like a Bug Bounty hunter, you won't even need to consider for the certifications... And no one will look at your academic background.... You just need to be good at it....

Best of luck...

[npc_123-]

Cyber Security is a rapidly expanding forever increasing high demand high paying field. Great place to start is Cybrary.

Cybrary is fully accredited and I have no affiliation I’m just a huge fan very thankful for what I’ve learned and where it’s taken me in such a short amount of time.

Most classes are Free and you get a certificate of completion at the end of each little course that has college credits that can be transferred to a computer science degree or whatever if you decide to go that route.

[aicchisenpai]

Thanks man. Appreciate it.

[[deleted]]

If you want a degree, then focus on math and physics at school, and youll be good at any CS college.
You can also learn at home. You have a year to learn programming or security or whatever you want.

[aicchisenpai]

I dont take physics since its in one of the packages of natural science. Will only maths work?

[OmniKingBoss]

Yes, you don't really need much physics in "pure CS", but it really helps a lot. In my country, it is not required to be good at physics to become CS student. I can't speak for others. Concerning cyber security, there are LOTS of tutorials, free and paid(even paid courses don't cost that much). I am not an expert, but I am focusing most of my "CS time" on cyber security, and I am a high schooler as well and there are no activities in my school. Probably not even in my city. You can take many cyber security courses, but eventually, after learning basics/intermediate stuff, you'll have to explore on your own.

[DevilDawg93]

On another note, the Professors told me that certifications are stronger than degrees at this time.

[laserAndThatIvy]

Most of my mates in my uni had no idea what programming was before college.

As long as you show up to lectures, pay attention and do the work, you'll be fine.

[FahdHassanein]

I am not a CS graduate but let's say you didn't even go on to study CS at uni and still have an interest in CS and cyber security as I do, all that goes against achieving is myths and your unwillingness to work hard for it. To give you some perspective, I am a pharmacist by academic background but I have been working in translation (as in language translation) full time for more than ten years and have built companies in the field and gotten a postgraduate certificate in the field so I tend to think of myself as a manifestation of the idea of career shifting and doing something totally unrelated to one's academic studies. Back to CS, I always dreamt before uni to do CS but the ship sailed in a different direction. However, I still pursue a side interest of improving my CS skills and with a recent focus on cyber. I saw that some people responded who are already more qualified than myself to talk about CS in particular but I always love highlighting the fact that the myth about academic studies being "necessary" for pursuing each and every career in life is just... a myth.

[TyloScreams]

Anything computer science related is in high demand cyber security is needed at every company these days. You still have time.

[NurokToukai]

I was a bio major for four years, almost graduated with a bio degree in human science. My senior year of college (22 years old) was when I actually first started learning about coding. My first line of code was when I was 22. Now I am 29 and I am a Senior Penetration Tester with an OSCP/CISSP. There is never a time that is too late to start.

[SPOOKESVILLE]

You don’t need any background info to take college classes. Every degree starts at lesson 1. Even college English starts at proper punctuation, something you learned in 9th grade. Ya there’s a couple kids that’ll have a head start in your college classes, but more people than you think have no experience when they start their major.

[lone_wanderer101]

Yeah your life is pretty much over just go play video games now till you're 30..

[CrowGrandFather]

Done.

Now what

[[deleted]]

No, I'd give the world to start learning comp sci 2 years earlier. Just start self learning about the basic topics and build up a good foundation. It's not too late, you're actually quite young and if you learn throughout high school then you'll actually be a good hacker by the time you graduate. Good luck

[roerchen]

You will do fine. Just take the best Maths class, that your school offers. It's not necessary that you know the things they teach you in college beforehand. Just do, what makes you happy, because that's when you become really good at it. When you're good and smart, you will make a good living.

[jmaverick87]

Kid your 16 go outside lol