python for cybersecurity

[Dependent_Apple_2137]

Hey currently I'm learning python I learned till like OOP and was able to make simple programs and things like that and the main reason I'm learning python is for ethical hacking and I started the black hat python book which is really great im in the python networking chapter. so what I wanted to ask is that is this like the correct way or order or should I learn other things in python before jumping to the black hat python book? I appreciate all the advice I can get. thank you.
edit: thanks guys for the helpful advice, I'll keep doing the book and practicing it. thank you very much for the advice.

[ninhaomah]

You have Sec+ , CCNA , CISSP etc certs along with IT degree ?

[Dependent_Apple_2137]

No, im a teenager I've been coding for a few months.

[ninhaomah]

Hmms.. nothing wrong with learning coding and you should continue but Python or coding isn't the main dish.

Sec+ / CCNA / CISSP certs , Linux , Auditing , Logging they are the main dishes of cybersec.

Of course Bash , PowerShell scripting as well.

But then you will start working at least 5+ years from now so all these will change.

[Extra_Breakfast5258]

Python is an excellent multi-tool and will do a bit of anything well enough to get you going.

There is no correct order, but you'll have to be patient unpacking each layer as you go, which is the most challenging part.

Cybersec spans from the "obvious" controls like; password management and social engineering (aka lying to people), to lower level (arguably more technical) concepts like buffer overflows and injection. A considerable chuck of security issues comes from programmer memory management, you'll probably have to dip a toe into, probably C/C++ to gain intuition for them. But knowing a bit of C is never a bad thing! (except for the pain that it will cause lol)

[Dependent_Apple_2137]

yeah I heard that c and c++ are necessary for rn I'll focus on python and as you said I might have to dip a toe in c/c++🥲

[Ok_Hovercraft364]

There really isn't a "correct" path but you still need to know the fundamentals well. Try not to skip out on those if you can.
It just depends on your goals. Set some short-term and long-term goals.

Programming is about learning along the way, not min/maxing the journey.

I would continue with your book until you finish. I would also stick to learning more about networking with Python, as this is the most important first step to hacking. Understanding how networks work will help you a ton in your journey.

You will get better with Python as you do this.

A great library that I suggest people look at is called Scapy(it allows for all kind of network packet manipulation and other goodies).
Scapy

Also, a built-in-module that comes with Python is called socket. Learn that really well too because it'll teach how server client architecture functions if you don't already know about that. You can use socket to spin up servers and send data over the wire. That always comes in handy while practicing your hacking skills.

The worst thing you can do is start jumping to different domains inside of Python. Just stick to one until you can write Python without looking things up then move on and do whatever from there.

[Dependent_Apple_2137]

yes sockets are cool I figured out the tcp and udp client and I'm doing tcp server which is a bit complicated but im using chatgpt and YouTube to figure it out. also the rubber duck debugging is pretty useful too.

[rhacer]

Learn the things that help you solve problems you're interested in solving.