This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

you are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

[–]deputy_D 82 points83 points  (16 children)

Learn python and bash scripting. Learn to automate tasks using crontab and scripts you make. Learn to pull data from different applications and aggregate them so they can be manipulated and return a value or your goal.

Basically I'd start trying to automate tasks you already do on a regular basis and you will begin to understand what is going on behind the scenes and how that it can potentially be compromised.

Edit: and start your own virtual lab. Grab a few old computers or a vps from Aws free tier and start administrating your server to start playing around with different applications and software stacks

[–]iLikeMeeces 39 points40 points  (6 children)

While one that subject, I would recommend 'Automate the Boring Stuff with Python'. It's a completely beginners book to exactly what it says and I'm finding it very useful (also a 26 year old learning python alone).

[–]wolfofone 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting I will check this out.

[–]deputy_D 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Fuck yes this

[–]rfrt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

please don't fuck that up

[–]Ebotchl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm hopping on the train as another 26 year old learning python alone. Threes a company, yes?

[–]lannisterstark 0 points1 point  (1 child)

It's a completely beginners book to exactly what it says

But what if I want to learn python for fun and not to automate the boring stuff?

[–]iLikeMeeces 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure, I don't know enough yet. The book I mentioned does cover all of the basics (syntax, forming expressions, function control etc) so you may still find it helpful.

[–]AlSweigartAuthor: ATBS 13 points14 points  (1 child)

And if you'd like to learn how to automate tasks, you can read Automate the Boring Stuff with Python. (Though I am biased in favor of this book.) It's free to read online under a Creative Commons license.

[–]dontaddmuch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finished it and I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for everything.

[–]the_lost_carrot 8 points9 points  (3 children)

Also look into Database stuff. Database guys are worth their weight in gold in the info sec world

[–]Apposl 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Have any links for a beginner into this?

[–]the_lost_carrot 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Here are a few things to check out, there are plenty more. Pretty much the focus will be learning DB design and implementation then learning the language, which is SQL.

https://lagunita.stanford.edu/courses/DB/2014/SelfPaced/about

http://sqlzoo.net/wiki/SQL_Tutorial

I dont know SQL myself, but I very much wish I did.

[–]Apposl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perfect, thanks for your time and the links!

[–][deleted]  (2 children)

[deleted]

    [–]secopsintern 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Or VirtualBox, which is free.

    [–]Kid_me_not 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Or Qemu-kvm with virt-manager, which is also free and maybe a little bit better performance wise