How to Learn Ethical Hacking for Free Without Finding Hacking Videos on YouTube

Learning ethical hacking can be an exciting journey, but it's not easy to find reliable and legal content to follow. While YouTube's policies prevent the upload of hacking videos, there are still various ways to learn ethical hacking effectively. This extensive guide will help you get started on your learning journey without relying on illegal content.

1. Start with the Basics of Programming

Before diving into the more complex aspects of ethical hacking, you need a solid foundation in programming and computer science. Begin by learning the core concepts, including:

Computer Architecture Microprocessors Operating Systems (OS) Networking (including x86-64 Assembly language and C)

These subjects will give you a deeper understanding of how computers work and the principles behind various security mechanisms.

2. Reverse Engineering and Binary Exploitation

Once you have a strong foundation, you can start learning reverse engineering. This involves analyzing and understanding the inner workings of compiled binaries. Key areas to focus on include:

Reverse engineering compiled binaries Web exploitation

Reverse engineering is crucial for understanding how programs operate and finding vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.

3. Understand the Theory of Computation

To fully grasp ethical hacking, you need to understand the theory of computation. This area covers automata theory, formal language and grammar, computability, and complexity theory. This knowledge will help you analyze algorithms and systems from a theoretical perspective, making you a better hacker.

4. Use Free Resources and Online Courses

While there are no legal channels providing video tutorials, there are still plenty of free resources available:

Download Free Online Courses: There are numerous websites and torrent sites where you can download pirated courses (note: always support legal content). Online Free Ebooks: Utilize websites like Project Gutenberg, free ebooks, and online repositories like GitHub. Community Support: Join local security communities, like the Null Community in India, for support and resources.

Some specific free resources to consider:

C Programming tutorials Cybrary OWASP Free Ethical Hacking Courses from professional ethical hackers

5. Practical Learning and Experimentation

The most crucial aspect of ethical hacking is hands-on experience. Start with simple exercises and gradually move to more complex challenges:

Participate in online hacking challenges and platforms like TryHackMe. Set up a lab environment to practice your newfound skills. Join online forums and communities to collaborate with like-minded individuals.

Practical experience is key to becoming a proficient ethical hacker and understanding the real-world applications of your knowledge.

6. Be Creative and Adaptable

Creativity is essential in ethical hacking. As defenders develop new security measures, you must find ways to adapt and overcome them:

Develop creative solutions for network analysis and exploitation. Experiment with different encryption methods and discover how to bypass them. Create secure backdoors and understand how they can be used ethically.

7. Further Learning in Networking and Security

Understanding networking is crucial for ethical hacking. Study the following:

Network protocols (ARP, DNS, Subnet, DHCP, OSI model, TCP/IP, TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS) Firewalls and Network Security Packet Analysis and Network Monitoring

Deep knowledge of networking will help you understand how attacks work and how to mitigate them effectively.

Conclusion

Learning ethical hacking is a multifaceted journey that requires dedication, creativity, and practical experience. While traditional video tutorials are not available, you can still find a wealth of free resources online. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can develop the skills necessary to become a proficient ethical hacker.

Remember, ethical hacking is not just about learning; it's about applying that knowledge to improve cybersecurity and protect systems from threats. Always use your skills ethically and responsibly and avoid any illegal activities.