Overview
This lecture provides an in-depth guide to underrated ethical hacking websites and mobile apps, their features, and how they help beginners and professionals improve cybersecurity skills.
Top Hacking Practice Platforms
- VulnHub offers virtual machines for legal penetration testing practice.
- Hack The Box contains cyber security challenges from beginner to expert level in a vibrant community.
- OverTheWire teaches security concepts through interactive war games.
- CTFtime tracks global Capture The Flag competitions and rankings.
- TryHackMe provides gamified cybersecurity labs for all skill levels.
- PentesterLab has hands-on web security exercises for beginners to advanced users.
- HackThisSite allows safe, legal hacking practice via fun missions and challenges.
- CTFlearn offers beginner-friendly CTFs with a large, active community.
- bWAPP, OWASP Mutillidae, WebGoat, DVIA, and Google Gruyere are deliberately vulnerable web/mobile apps for practicing exploits and defenses.
Essential Tools and Resources
- Exploit Database lists new security exploits and vulnerabilities.
- SecurityTube and Hacker101 provide free video tutorials and classes.
- Shodan, Censys, and BinaryEdge are search engines for internet-connected devices to identify exposed systems.
- VirusTotal, Hybrid Analysis, and Any.Run scan files/URLs for malware analysis.
- MalShare offers a repository of malware samples for research.
- IntelX enables OSINT investigations across leaked databases and dark web.
- CyberChef is a web-based tool for encryption, encoding, and data analysis.
- GreyNoise filters internet scanning noise to focus on real threats.
- URLScan.io analyzes suspicious URLs for hidden threats.
Must-Know Mobile Hacking Apps
- Kali NetHunter and NetHunter Store bring penetration testing tools to Android devices.
- zANTI, CSPloit, DroidSheep, Hackode, and Fing allow network scans, vulnerability analysis, and session hijacking on mobile.
- Wireshark and Nmap are essential for network analysis and mapping.
- AndroDumpper, WiFi Analyzer, WPS WPA Tester, and NetCut test WiFi security and manage devices.
- Orbot encrypts traffic for anonymous internet browsing.
- DriveDroid turns your phone into a bootable USB drive.
- PixelKnot demonstrates steganography by hiding messages in images.
- KeepWatch and Haven transform smartphones into security monitoring devices.
Community & Learning Platforms
- Defend the Web, Hellbound Hackers, and Root Me provide hacking challenges, tutorials, and forums.
- PortSwigger Web Security Academy offers free, interactive web security labs.
- SELists supplies pre-made payloads, passwords, and security testing lists.
- Shelter Labs hosts security competitions with increasing difficulty.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Penetration Testing — authorized simulated attacks on computer systems to assess security.
- Capture the Flag (CTF) — competitions where participants solve security challenges to find hidden flags.
- Exploit — code or technique that takes advantage of a vulnerability.
- Malware — software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to systems.
- OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) — gathering information from publicly available sources.
- Steganography — hiding data within non-secret, ordinary files.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Explore recommended platforms and practice labs for hands-on cybersecurity experience.
- Download the suggested cheat sheet for essential tools and beginner commands.
- Join at least one hacking challenge site and start with beginner missions.
- Review community forums for additional tutorials and support.