When you think about hacking, you probably imagine someone sneaking into a company’s network to steal sensitive information or install malware. However, not all hacking techniques are unlawful or even harmful. Ethical hacking uses many of the same techniques as criminal hacking to access systems and networks. Still, unlike regular hackers, ethical hackers get permission from organizations to hack their systems to identify network vulnerabilities and weaknesses and help them prevent malicious breaches. In other words, ethical hackers make excellent use of their hacking skills.

There has never been a more increased demand for cybersecurity professionals with ethical hacking expertise. As more businesses and government organizations keep sensitive data online and rely on servers and networks to run their operations, the risk of catastrophic cyberattacks grows. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating a 31 per cent growth in demand over the next decade, significantly faster than many other industries.

Cybersecurity experts that understand ethical hacking are skilled programmers and analysts who can think like professional hackers. By collaborating with organizations to identify system vulnerabilities, they can help prevent server-side and client-side attacks, close undetectable backdoors, address SQL injection, and intercept a spy in the system, resulting in increased user privacy and sensitive protection data and the security of the critical infrastructure.

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hackers, sometimes known as “white-hat hackers,” are highly trained cybersecurity experts companies hire to get into their computer systems, networks, or apps. Whereas hostile hackers, sometimes known as “black-hat hackers,” disrupt an organization’s security to steal data or compromise systems, ethical hackers meticulously document how they entered an organization’s defenses and provide corrective suggestions.

It’s worth noting that while white-hat hackers are employed by businesses and given access to their networks, they aren’t allowed complete freedom to hack as they like. Ethical hacks are painstakingly planned, with specific criteria dictating which systems and applications may be hacked, the extent of activity, and when the breach will start and end. Ethical hackers will attempt to access online apps, APIs, front-end/back-end servers, connected devices, remote computer systems, operating systems, virtual machines, and other resources once the conditions have been agreed upon.

Penetration testing is a legal hacking technique. A white-hat hacker attempts to break into secure systems by exploiting website vulnerabilities such as an unsecured internet connection/wifi network, a weak password, misconfigured firewalls, or loopholes in third-party applications. Security specialists may undertake internal testing, like phishing attacks and network hacking, to uncover flaws in employee behavior. Following exploitation, white-hat hackers usually help businesses put safeguards to prevent future attacks, such as improving system security or suggesting employee training to enhance cybersecurity awareness.

Best Resources to Learn Ethical Hacking

Due to the increased demand for ethical hackers, there has been a surge in paid online courses covering everything from network basics to web application hacking, exploitation techniques, encryption methods like WPA and WPA2, Linux basics, and penetration testing tools like Kali Linux, natural systems, and reconnaissance tactics. A certification test is included in many paid courses, allowing students to become certified ethical hackers.

Countless free resources are equally as informative, relevant, and intriguing as paid resources for those interested in dabbling in ethical hacking, brushing up on their cybersecurity skills, or learning the latest best practices in penetration testing. The pursuit is some of our favorite free resources.

• Hack This Site

Hack This Site offers an entirely free and legal way to learn about ethical hacking from the bottom up. It is one of the numerous valuable sites for studying hacking, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hacker.

This site can assist novice hackers in learning how to hack online and experienced hackers in improving their hacking skills.

You must visit this website to learn about hacking because it offers much free knowledge. For example, on this website, you’ll find a range of hacking challenges, blogs, articles, tutorials, and even confidential discussions and the latest hacking news.

If you’re a novice, you might initially be intimidated due to the UI’s lack of user-friendliness. But it won’t take long for you to grow used to it. User interfaces are designed for everyday internet users, but you’re learning how to hack one.

It encourages you to study as much as possible, which is one of the reasons it is one of the best hacking understanding websites. It also asks you to hack their website, Hack This Website.

They even put your name in the Hack This Site Hall of Fame to recognize your efforts and talents. To get begun, go to the website and make a free account. Then you’re ready to go.

• Guru99

Guru99’s free ethical hacking course gives you a comprehensive introduction to ethical hacking’s core ideas and components. Social engineering hacks and prevention, hacking Linux OS, cracking an application’s password, and understanding worms and viruses are all covered in its course. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the system is the inclusion of essential hacking tools, which can save a lot of time for newcomers who are still learning the ropes—the website gathers tools for IP address blocking, network scanning, virus eradication, and free firewall software.

One downside of this content is that, although intended for complete beginners, it fails to teach the abilities required for ethical hacking (E.g. programming languages, understanding the basics of Linux, SQL).

• Hackaday

Another fantastic website for learning how to hack is Hackaday. “Fresh Hacks Every Day,” as its motto indicates, this website offers courses on complex hacking attacks so that students may better understand the fundamentals.

It’s a group of security experts and ethical hackers who provide a wealth of information to assist you in mastering the craft of ethical hacking. You may also participate in and contribute to a variety of community-based activities.

Simply create a free Hackaday account, and if you already have a GitHub account, you may log in with your GitHub credentials to study and work on any development and hacking project you like.

The most significant disadvantage of this website is that it is not appropriate for complete novices; some prior knowledge is required. In my opinion, you can learn the principles of hacking from any of the other websites on our list of the best resources to learn about hacking and then use what you’ve learned to improve your skills.

1. Eduonix 

Eduonix is a great source to learn a lot of different technologies! They have a variety of courses based on Software Development, Design, Digital Marketing, etc. They also have very detailed courses on Ethical Hacking. The best part about the Eduonix courses is that they have this concept of e-degrees and masterclasses which cover all the elements of a particular subject in one big course. I am linking my favorite Ethical Hacking Masterclass here. It covers Net cat, Kali Linux, Python hacking, etc. Will definitely recommend you to check their other Ethical Hacking courses as well. 

• Coursera

The free Cryptography course on Coursera offers a seven-week introduction to the principles of cryptography (the science of protecting data), focusing on practical applications. While the study only covers a percentage of what it takes to become an ethical hacker, cryptography is a crucial element of cybersecurity since it allows businesses and individuals to encrypt sensitive information.

Anyone interested in hacking should have a strong understanding of modern cryptography, and this course serves as a foundation for both novices and seasoned security specialists. At the end of the programme, students get a course completion certificate.

• EC-Council

The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) is an acronym for the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants, with offices in 145 countries. It is the world’s largest cybersecurity technical certification body.

This is the best website to learn hacking on the planet if you want to study ethical hacking and acquire a degree at the end of the course.

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (C|HFI), Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), Licensed Penetration Testing (Practical), and many more programmes were developed by this company.

This website might be a treasure for you if you wish to pursue a career in internet security.

On this website, you can find a variety of online courses that will teach you ethical hacking from the ground up. You can also pursue degree-based programmes such as the Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security and the Master of Cyber Security.

• Hacker101

Hacker101 is a HackerOne educational platform that offers free web security and ethical hacking courses. The website is a great place to learn about ethical hacking if you’re new to hacking.

With our informative guidelines, video lectures, and essential tools, you can learn how to hack. Working on projects and solving challenges like Capture The Flags can also help you put your skills to good use (CTFs).

It develops from the foundations to more advanced topics like encryption and cryptography breaking. It is one of the best hacking learning websites available today to assist you in getting a head start in your career.

• Edureka

Although Edureka offers a paid cybersecurity course, anybody looking for a comprehensive overview of ethical hacking ideas and practices can profit from its free ten-hour video lecture.

While many of the ideas may be difficult for a total newbie to grasp, the video can be instructive for people who already have a foundation in network security and administration and are trying to segue into cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

• Hacking Loops

Hacking Loops is an educational blog created to help novices grasp the cybersecurity framework.

Its purpose is to teach students and anybody else who is interested in how to secure their IT infrastructure and master ethical hacking.

What makes it the best website for learning how to hack, especially for beginners? If you’re a beginner, it’s a great place to start. It’s one of the top hacking learning websites and blogs, in my opinion.

The following information may be found on this page:

• Website penetration testing, wireless device testing, and firewall testing are all things that need to be done.
• Ethical hacking includes scanning, vulnerability databases, social engineering, cryptography, malware, reverse engineering, hacking tools, and wireless hacking.
• Android OS, iPhones (iOS), and Windows mobile hacking are all examples of mobile hacking.
• Certified Ethical Hacker practice sheets, and challenges include practice tests.

• SecurityTube

One of my favorite hacking learning websites is SecurityTube, the YouTube of ethical hacking.

This is because this website provides all hacking tutorials in video format.

And, if you want to learn ethical hacking from the bottom up, you’ll need to understand how to put what you’ve learned into practice.

If you want to master ethical hacking in the most interactive way imaginable, this may be the place to go.

There are just a few websites where you may study hacking courses in video format, and this one unquestionably ranks among the best ethical hacking learning resources.

• Break The Security

Another excellent source to study hacking is Break The Security, which offers free ethical hacking news and training.

The site features the most recent posts on topics such as how to hack objects, devices, and software exploits, among other things. This is another excellent location to learn hacking online if you’re a newbie.

If you’re looking for something specific to learn about ethical hacking, you may use the search box to locate an article or course on the topic.

• Cybrary

Cybrary is a cutting-edge website where you can study ethical hacking, master the art of cybersecurity, and advance your career as a cybersecurity expert.

It was formed in 2015 to deliver free and paid cybersecurity courses, training materials, and other career development resources.

Cybrary is one of the most reliable hacking study websites if you want to pursue a career in cyberspace security.

This website provides interactive video-based learning tools, which is one of the numerous benefits of studying ethical hacking from it.

Because ethical hacking demands practical knowledge to grasp how to use hacking tools, it helps you learn more efficiently and fast.

On the list of the best sites to study hacking, none of the hacking learning websites is ranked in decreasing order of quality. They’re all fantastic free internet resources for learning ethical hacking from the bottom up. If I could be in your shoes, I’d go to each of these websites to learn all I could about hacking. 

Acquiring ethical hacking is similar to learning any other talent or aptitude; you must be willing to put in the effort to understand the foundations and then put that knowledge into practice as much as possible because of the difference between a novice and a master in training. So, best of luck! 

Also Read: Best Ethical Hacking Books For Everyone & Hacking Lab Setup Video!