Are you ready to embark on an electrifying journey into the depths of cybersecurity? Whether you're eyeing a prestigious certification, gearing up for a Bachelor's degree, or simply indulging your insatiable curiosity, this roadmap is your ultimate guide to becoming a true hacking virtuoso. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's set the stage. Are you in it for the thrill, the challenge, or perhaps envisioning a career at the cutting edge of cyber defense? Your motivations will shape the path ahead, so let's chart a course tailored precisely to your aspirations.
| Roadmap Type | Path Information |
|---|---|
| Hobbyist Hackers | Ideal for dipping your toe into the cybersecurity world, mastering basics and honing skills |
| Cyber Expressway | Begin cybersecurity journey as quickly as possible, join cybersecurity role in under 10 months |
| Certification Seekers | Gain knowledge, invest time for deeper understanding, ideal for advancement in cybersecurity |
| Degree Pursuers | Refine skills for optimal cybersecurity training, explore paths & more ---> (GAIN CYBERSECURITY DEGREE) |
PS: While I offer this content for free, I include some referral links. They let you support the project without any downside for you. Enjoy the content and feel free to share it with your friends!
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Explore my Red Team hacking notes, your go-to resource for defending against cyber threats with steadfast determination and state-of-the-art strategies. ---> RedTeam Notes
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Explore my Blue Team hacking notes, your go-to resource for defending against cyber threats with steadfast determination and state-of-the-art strategies. ---> BlueTeam Notes
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Enhance your hacking toolkit with my Chrome Extension. Designed for ethical hacking and red team activities, it offers tailored features for an improved browsing experience. ---> Chrome Extension
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Elevate your bookmarking game with my latest Bookmark Toolkit. Engineered for ethical bookmarking and enhanced web exploration, it delivers customized features for a seamless browsing journey. ---> Bookmarks
Are you someone who's delving into the realm of hacking as a hobby, eager to explore and gain expertise for the sheer thrill of it? If so, then the journey from being a mere novice, often referred to as a "script kiddie," to evolving into a proficient hacker can be facilitated by following the steps outlined below. These steps will direct you towards the necessary resources and knowledge that will help you hone your skills and transform you into a knowledgeable practitioner in the field of hacking.
Step 1: Learn the Basics on TryHackMe
- Objective: Build a foundational understanding of hacking concepts and techniques in a guided environment.
- Actions:
- Sign up for a TryHackMe account.
- Complete introductory rooms and pathways to learn about topics such as:
- Explanation: TryHackMe offers beginner-friendly content that covers essential topics, making it an ideal starting point for those new to hacking.
Step 2: Enroll in Port Swigger Academy
- Objective: Deepen your understanding of web pentesting techniques and tools.
- Actions:
- Explore the courses available on Burp Suite Academy.
- Complete courses covering topics such as:
- Web application security fundamentals
- Using Burp Suite for web pentesting
- Advanced web exploitation techniques
- Explanation: Burp Suite Academy offers comprehensive courses specifically focused on web pentesting, including both theoretical knowledge and practical exercises. This will enhance your ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications.
- Objective: Gain practical experience by solving real-world hacking challenges in an unguided environment.
- Actions:
- Register on Hack The Box platform.
- Attempt beginner-friendly machines to apply the knowledge gained from TryHackMe.
- Progress to more challenging machines as skills improve.
- Explanation: Hack The Box provides a platform for honing your skills through hands-on experience with realistic scenarios. Unlike TryHackMe, it doesn't offer guided pathways, which encourages independent problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Objective: Stay updated with the latest trends, techniques, and tools in the field of hacking.
- Actions:
- Participate in online forums and communities (e.g., Reddit's r/hacking, Hack Forums) to engage with other hackers and learn from their experiences.
- Follow security blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels to keep abreast of new developments and insights.
- Regularly challenge yourself with new hacking tasks, puzzles, and CTF (Capture The Flag) competitions.
- Explanation: Hacking is a dynamic field, and continuous learning is essential to stay relevant and proficient. By actively engaging with the hacking community and exploring new challenges, you'll continue to refine your skills and expand your knowledge base.
- Capture The Flag (CTF) Competitions:
- Join online CTF platforms such as Hack The Box, OverTheWire, or picoCTF.
- Participate in both beginner and advanced CTF challenges to apply your knowledge and problem-solving skills.
- Collaborate with other participants or teams to tackle more complex challenges and learn from each other's approaches.
- Analyze the solutions and write-ups of challenges you couldn't solve to understand different techniques and strategies.
- Bug Bounty Programs:
- Register on bug bounty platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or Synack.
- Browse available programs and identify those aligned with your expertise and interests, such as web application testing, mobile application testing, or network penetration testing.
- Ethically report security vulnerabilities you discover in the targets specified by bug bounty programs.
- Follow the guidelines provided by each program regarding vulnerability disclosure, severity assessment, and reward eligibility.
- Continuously monitor the platforms for new programs and updates, as well as feedback on your submissions.
Are you seeking to quickly establish yourself in the world of Cybersecurity/Pentesting? I've crafted a rapid roadmap, inspired by Tyler Rambser, to guide you toward a job in this field within the next 10 months. Keep in mind, while there are no guarantees, these steps offer the best available information to position you at the forefront of pentesting roles.
- Join TCM Security by completing the registration process.
- Obtain access through a subscription plan.
- Complete the following courses
- Practical Ethical Hacking
- Practical-web-hacking (OPTIONAL)
- Sign up via Hack the Box Academy platform.
- Acquire credits for course enrollment and procure a voucher.
- Complete the following courses
This certification serves as a gold standard in cybersecurity and often bypasses many HR screening processes.
- Enroll in the Offensive Security website for the PEN-200 course.
- Purchase the 90-day lab access package.
- Study course materials and Kali Linux documentation.
- Practice in the lab environment, exploiting vulnerabilities.
- Prepare for the exam with thorough review and practice.
- Schedule and take the exam.
- Successfully complete the exam.
"Uncovering vulnerabilities within diverse open-source projects is a rewarding endeavor, and it's not as daunting as one might expect. Including CVE discoveries in your curriculum distinguishes you from peers with similar certifications, demonstrating to future employers your ability to apply learned skills effectively."
- View the following video Tyler Ramsbey - Youtube
Additional perk: Receive assistance with your resume and engage in a conversation with an ethical hacker at no cost or contribute as you wish and donate to a charity of your choosing. Just join the Discord server and arrange your appointment.
Certifications in cybersecurity and hacking provide structured learning paths and validate skills, ranging from foundational IT knowledge to advanced penetration testing and defensive strategies. They offer credibility within the industry and demonstrate practical expertise, enhancing job opportunities and earning potential. However, they should be complemented by practical experience and continuous learning to stay updated in this rapidly evolving field.
| Start with Basic IT Skills (A+) |  |
|---|
- CompTIA A+ Certification: This certification covers foundational IT skills, including hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting.
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Purchase Comptia A+ voucher (2X, core 1 & core 2) ---> Discount Website
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Study for Comptia A+ core 1
- Learning ressource
- Studing: Professor Messer
- Learning ressource
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Successfully complete the exam (A+ Core 1)
- Learning ressource
- Studing: Professor Messer
- Learning ressource
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Successfully complete the exam (A+ Core 2)
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| Linux Fundamentals (Linux Essential) |  |
|---|
- Linux Essentials (LPI): Gain essential knowledge of Linux operating system fundamentals, commands, and basic administration.
- Purchase LPI Linux Essential voucher ---> LPI Linux Essential Website
- Study for LPI Linux Essential
- Learning ressource
- Studing: Shawn Powers
- Learning ressource
- Successfully complete the exam
| Build Networking Knowledge (Network+) |  |
|---|
- CompTIA Network+ Certification: Focuses on networking concepts, infrastructure, operations, and security.
- Purchase Comptia Network+ voucher ---> Discount Website
- Study for Comptia Network+
- Learning ressource
- Studing: Professor Messer
- Successfully complete the exam
| Learn Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Security+) |  |
|---|
- Attain CompTIA Security+ Certification: Provides essential knowledge in network security, compliance, threats, and vulnerabilities.
- Purchase Comptia Security+ voucher ---> Discount Website
- Study for Comptia Security+
- Learning ressource
- Studing: Professor Messer
- Successfully complete the exam
| Specialize in Penetration Testing (Pentest+) |  |
|---|
- Pursue CompTIA PenTest+ Certification: Focuses on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment skills, essential for offensive security roles.
- Purchase Comptia Pentest+ voucher ---> Discount Website
- Study for Comptia Pentest+
- Learning ressource
- Studying: ACI Learning
- Successfully complete the exam
| Enhance Cyber Defense Skills (CySa+) |  |
|---|
- Obtain CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) Certification: Develop skills in threat detection, analysis, and response.
- Purchase Comptia CySa+ voucher ---> Discount Website
- Study for Comptia CySa+
- Learning ressource
- Studying: Certify Breakfast (Youtube)
- Exam practice: Google Play (Phone)
- Successfully complete the exam
- [ ]
- Consider Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): While not a traditional certification, OSCP provides practical penetration testing skills through real-world challenges and labs.
There are numerous strategies available for the degree path, and the one outlined below represents my personal roadmap. It's important to consider that the most efficient strategy for achieving the degree with minimal cost involves completing the majority of the coursework outside of WGU, obtaining credits from those courses, and then enrolling when you're between 50-65% done. Assuring you to finish the degree within one term. This approach minimizes expenses and is the optimal choice in terms of both time and money.
- Copy the following Tracking Google Sheet
--- BASE COURSES ---
- Register at Sophia Learning and complete the following courses.
- ENG1002 (SOPH-0030)
- PHIL1005 (SOPH-0065)
- COMM1002 (SOPH-0024)
- CA1001 (SOPH-0001)
- STAT1001 (SOPH-0005)
- HLTH 1010 (SOPH-0063)
- CS1011 (SOPH-0047)
- CS1101 (SOPH-0062)
- CS1100 (SOPH-0058)
- PM1001 (SOPH-0013)
- Register at Study.com and complete the following course.
- Political Science 102 (SDCM-0042)
- Biology 101L (SDCM-0188)
- Computer Science 108 (SDCM-0213)
- Computer Science 110 (SDCM-0215)
- Other Course (Cheapest and most Effective)
- CS1001 ---> Complete this course with Google IT Support
--- CERTIFICATIONS ---
- Complete the following certifications (You can get more information on each certification by looking at the certification roadmap)
--- Western Governors University (WGU) ---
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Transfer your transcripts (High school diploma, Certifications and completed courses at WGU)
- Need help? Join the unofficial WGU discord
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Enroll in WGU and complete the remaining courses
PS:Please note that the path outlined through the WGU roadmap isn't the sole route available. The information provided represents the most optimal path, based on my knowledge, to attain your degree without incurring excessive expenses.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or issues regarding the roadmap or this repository, feel free to open an issue or reach out to me via Discord.
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