7 Top ethical hacking courses to level up your cybersecurity skills

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Curious about ethical hacking? You’re not alone! This rapidly evolving field plays a crucial role in keeping our online lives secure.

Ethical hackers are the heroes who identify and fix security holes before cybercriminals can exploit them.

If you’re eager to dive deeper, there are tons of fantastic courses to get you started. No matter if you’re just stepping into tech or you’ve already got some experience, there’s a class that’s perfect for you. Here are seven of the best ethical hacking courses worth checking out.

These classes will arm you with essential skills and techniques to thrive in this exciting industry.

1) Practical Ethical Hacking – TCM Security

If you want to learn hacking from square one, then the Practical Ethical Hacking course by TCM Security is a solid pick.

It’s hands-on and packed with real-world hacking skills.

This course covers all the basics you’ll need to kick off your journey.

You’ll dive into info gathering, scanning, and exploitation, using the tools and techniques actual professionals are using every day.

New to hacking? No worries! This course is beginner-friendly and sets a strong foundation.

With 25 hours of solid content—no filler—everything is practical and ready for you to use immediately.

The sweet part? You can learn at your own pace, watching videos and trying out techniques as you go.

By the end, you’ll be ready to launch your own ethical hacking career.

2) Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council

If going pro in ethical hacking sounds appealing, the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course from EC-Council might just be what you need.

Recognized as a top certification in the cybersecurity realm, the CEH teaches you to think like a hacker, helping you to bolster your defenses.

You’ll cover various hacking stages and attack strategies while learning how to defend against them.

Understanding how hackers operate is key to crafting stronger protections.

EC-Council offers this course online, making it flexible for your busy life.

Plus, you’ll get hands-on experiences with hacking tools and techniques.

Once you complete the course, you can take the CEH exam.

Passing it will give you a well-respected certification that can catapult your career in cybersecurity.

3) Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking – Cybrary

Looking for an affordable way to dip your toes into ethical hacking? Check out Cybrary’s Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking course.

It’s an excellent starting point in the cybersecurity arena.

This course covers a range of exciting attack methods, like password cracking, DDoS attacks, SQL injection, session hijacking, and even social engineering tactics.

It’s not just about breaking into systems; you’ll also learn the ethical side of hacking, including web server and web application vulnerabilities.

And here’s the kicker: you can tackle this at your own pace since it’s online.

It’s perfect whether you’re just starting or want to polish your skills.

By the end, you’ll have a good grasp of ethical hacking principles, allowing you to protect networks and systems from malicious threats.

This is a fantastic first step towards a career in cybersecurity.

4) Advanced Network Defense – Infosec

Want to upgrade your network security skills? Take a look at the Advanced Network Defense boot camp from Infosec.

This course is fantastic if you’re keen on fortifying defenses against cyber threats.

Your instructors will help you identify and tackle common network vulnerabilities.

They’ll share their insights on keeping hackers at bay and testing your own network for weak points.

During this course, you’ll get hands-on practice with real-world tools, setting up firewalls, spotting malware, and diving into encryption tactics—skills that IT pros need to secure data effectively.

Another bonus? You can take this course online, fitting it snugly into your busy schedule.

Running for five days, it’ll arm you with new skills to tackle security challenges effectively.

Plus, you’ll get a certificate of completion to boost your professional credentials.

5) Web Application Penetration Testing – Offensive Security

Dreaming of being a web app security guru? The Advanced Web Attacks and Exploitation course from Offensive Security might be just what you’re seeking.

This course digs deep into current web application testing techniques, showing you how to discover and fix security vulnerabilities.

The beauty of it? It’s self-paced—take your time and learn when it suits you.

You’ll engage in plenty of hands-on practice, ensuring you won’t just be reading about hacking but actively participating in it.

Plus, you’ll work with industry tools like Burp Suite, giving you the savvy to use them effectively.

By the course’s end, you’ll know how to identify and exploit common web vulnerabilities—a skill that’s incredibly valuable in the cybersecurity job market.

Oh, and it also prepares you for the OSWE certification, which can really help you stand out to employers.

6) Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp – Udemy

Ready to become a whiz at ethical hacking? Check out the Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp on Udemy.

It’s an excellent fit for beginners and covers all the latest tools and tricks.

Learn from industry experts who bring their real-world knowledge to the table.

You’ll get a handle on modern hacking techniques and best practices, almost like having a personal hacking mentor.

The course is regularly updated, so you can trust you’re learning the most current methods, rather than outdated information.

Plus, you’ll join a massive community of over 900,000 fellow learners.

That’s a great pool for networking and sharing ideas!

Lastly, you can learn at your own pace, watching lectures whenever you like to fit your lifestyle.

If you’re ready to jump into ethical hacking, this bootcamp is a smooth starting point.

You’ll walk away with solid skills to tackle real-world challenges head-on!

7) Linux Security and Hardening – Pluralsight

Looking to strengthen your Linux security skills? Pluralsight’s Linux Security and Hardening course is ideal for IT professionals aiming to secure systems.

You’ll learn how to lock down Linux servers and fend off potential hackers.

This course covers significant topics, such as user account security, network protection, and file system safeguards.

With Pluralsight’s experts at your side, you’ll walk through practical steps to harden your Linux servers.

You’ll discover how to set up firewalls, encrypt data, and keep an eye out for threats.

The best part? You can put into practice what you learn with hands-on labs.

This experience helps you build practical skills right away.

By course completion, you’ll be savvy about spotting vulnerabilities in your Linux systems and fixing them quickly.

Whether you’re new to Linux or seasoned, there’s something to gain here, making it a fantastic opportunity to up your cybersecurity game.

Understanding Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking is an essential skill in today’s cybersecurity world.

It helps protect systems from malicious attacks.

Let’s break down what it is and why it matters.

What Is Ethical Hacking?

Think of ethical hacking as being a good spy for computers.

You’re attempting to break into systems, but with permission.

The goal? Find those weak spots before the bad guys can exploit them.

Ethical hackers use the same tools that criminals do, but they’re on the right side.

They report the issues they uncover so companies can make necessary fixes.

Businesses hire ethical hackers to test their security.

It’s sort of like conducting a fire drill, but for network systems.

If you want to get into this field, check out ethical hacking courses.

They’ll teach you how to think like a hacker, covering everything from network hacking to password cracking.

Importance of Learning Ethical Hacking

Learning ethical hacking is a smart move.

It can really boost your tech career since many companies are itching for ethical hackers to keep their data safe.

With ethical hacking skills, you can help thwart cyberattacks, becoming somewhat of a digital superhero protecting people’s information.

Plus, that knowledge makes you a valuable asset in the job market.

You might find yourself working for top tech companies or even government agencies.

And if you take courses in ethical hacking, you’ll learn the latest tricks to stay ahead of malicious actors.

After all, how cool is it to say you’re a hacker—picking the righteous path?

Skills You Need for Ethical Hacking

To succeed as an ethical hacker, you’ll need a mix of technical know-how and people skills.

Mastering both is key to thriving in this field.

Technical Skills

Start by learning programming languages like Python, Java, and C++.

They’ll help you understand and create hacking tools.

Understanding networks is vital, too.

You’ll need to know how computers interact, including IP addresses, ports, and protocols.

Being comfortable with operating systems—like Windows, Linux, and macOS—is crucial since you’ll be poking around in all of them.

And if you want to excel, learning web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a must, as a lot of hacking happens on websites and web applications.

Knowing the basics of cybersecurity is also essential.

Get familiar with encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.

You need to know what you’re dealing with out there.

Soft Skills

In ethical hacking, you’ll encounter complex puzzles that require creative thinking to solve.

You’ll often need to explain complicated tech concepts to folks who might not be as tech-savvy as you are, which includes drafting clear reports on your findings.

Hacking often involves plenty of trial and error.

Sometimes you might spend days working on one problem, so patience is key.

Having a solid moral compass is vital—just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

The tech landscape changes quickly, so a love for learning and staying updated on trends is essential.

Many ethical hackers work in teams, which means playing nicely with others is crucial to your success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about ethical hacking courses? Let’s tackle some common questions that folks often have about learning these cybersecurity skills.

What’s the best ethical hacking course out there?

The Practical Ethical Hacking course by TCM Security is a top recommendation.

It focuses on real-world techniques and tools, helping you learn to think like a hacker and secure systems.

Are there any cool free ethical hacking courses online?