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07 - Essential Resources 📚

The only resources you need - tested by thousands of successful hackers

🎯 Stop Overwhelming Yourself

Most guides give you 100+ resources.

Result: Analysis paralysis and information overload.

This chapter gives you the TOP 10 resources in each category.

Master these first. Add more later.

🚀 Learning Platforms (Your Main Training Ground)

1. TryHackMe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Website: tryhackme.com

Why it's #1: ✅ Beginner-friendly structured paths ✅ Free tier available ✅ Built-in browser Kali environment ✅ Progressive difficulty levels ✅ Gamified learning with points/badges

Best Paths: - Complete Beginner (Start here) - Web Fundamentals (For web app hackers) - Offensive Pentesting (For pentesters)

Cost: Free + $10/month premium

2. HackTheBox ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Website: hackthebox.com

Why it's essential: ✅ Real-world scenarios ✅ Active community ✅ Industry recognition ✅ Job interview prep

Best Features: - Retired machines (free with writeups) - Academy (structured courses) - CTF competitions

Cost: Free + $20/month VIP

3. PortSwigger Web Security Academy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Website: portswigger.net/web-security

Why it's perfect: ✅ Completely free ✅ Made by Burp Suite creators ✅ Best web app security training ✅ Interactive labs

Topics Covered: - SQL injection - Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) - CSRF, SSRF, XXE - Authentication bypasses

Cost: 100% Free

4. Cybrary ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Website: cybrary.it

Strengths: ✅ Career-focused paths ✅ Certification prep ✅ Professional instructors ✅ Virtual labs

Best Courses: - Ethical Hacking - Penetration Testing - Incident Response

Cost: Free + $59/month premium

5. PentesterLab ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Website: pentesterlab.com

Unique Value: ✅ Real vulnerable applications ✅ Detailed walkthroughs ✅ Focus on exploitation ✅ Badge system

Cost: $20/month

📺 YouTube Channels (Free Video Training)

1. IppSec ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @ippsec

Content: - HackTheBox machine walkthroughs - Advanced penetration testing techniques - Tool demonstrations

Why essential: Best technical depth and explanation

2. John Hammond ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @_JohnHammond

Content: - CTF walkthroughs - Malware analysis - Tool tutorials - Career advice

Why watch: Excellent teaching style, covers breadth of topics

3. NetworkChuck ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @NetworkChuck

Content: - Networking fundamentals - Linux tutorials - Cybersecurity career advice - Certification guidance

Why helpful: Great for beginners, motivational content

4. LiveOverflow ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @LiveOverflow

Content: - Binary exploitation - Reverse engineering - Security research methodology - CTF techniques

Why valuable: Deep technical content, research-focused

5. The Cyber Mentor ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @TCMSecurityAcademy

Content: - Ethical hacking tutorials - OSCP preparation - Career guidance - Tool walkthroughs

Why useful: Structured learning approach, beginner-friendly

6. STÖK ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @STOKfredrik

Content: - Bug bounty hunting - Web application security - Automation techniques - Community interviews

Why important: Real bug bounty hunter sharing actual techniques

7. InsiderPhD ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @InsiderPhD

Content: - Bug bounty methodology - Web security testing - Tool automation - Career development

Why relevant: Practical bug bounty guidance from active hunter

8. PwnFunction ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @PwnFunction

Content: - Web vulnerability explanations - Animated security concepts - CTF walkthroughs

Why excellent: Visual learning approach, complex concepts simplified

9. NahamSec ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @NahamSec

Content: - Bug bounty hunting - Live hacking streams - Tool development - Community building

Why watch: Active bug bounty hunter, real-time problem solving

10. David Bombal ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Channel: @DavidBombal

Content: - Networking security - Certification preparation - Career interviews - Industry trends

Why subscribe: Broad cybersecurity career focus

📖 Essential Books (Deep Knowledge)

Technical Books:

1. "The Web Application Hacker's Handbook" 2nd Edition - Authors: Dafydd Stuttard, Marcus Pinto - Why essential: Bible of web app security - Best for: Understanding vulnerabilities deeply

2. "Metasploit: The Penetration Tester's Guide" - Authors: David Kennedy, Jim O'Gorman, Devon Kearns, Mati Aharoni - Why important: Master the most popular exploitation framework - Best for: Hands-on exploitation techniques

3. "Black Hat Python" 2nd Edition - Author: Justin Seitz, Tim Arnold - Why valuable: Learn to build custom security tools - Best for: Automation and tool development

4. "The Hacker Playbook 3" - Author: Peter Kim - Why useful: Practical penetration testing methodology - Best for: Real-world testing approach

5. "RTFM: Red Team Field Manual" - Author: Ben Clark - Why handy: Quick reference for commands and techniques - Best for: Cheat sheet during tests

Career & Business Books:

6. "Tribe of Hackers" - Authors: Marcus J. Carey, Jennifer Jin - Why inspiring: Stories from successful security professionals - Best for: Career guidance and motivation

7. "The Art of Human Hacking" - Author: Christopher Hadnagy - Why relevant: Social engineering techniques - Best for: Understanding human psychology in security

🛠️ Practice Platforms (Hands-On Skills)

Vulnerable Applications:

1. DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application) - What: Intentionally vulnerable PHP application - Skills: OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities - Install: docker run --rm -it -p 80:80 vulnerables/web-dvwa

2. bWAPP (buggy Web Application) - What: 100+ web vulnerabilities in one app - Skills: Comprehensive web security testing - Website: itsecgames.com

3. WebGoat - What: OWASP teaching application - Skills: Interactive security lessons - Website: owasp.org/www-project-webgoat

4. Metasploitable 2 - What: Intentionally vulnerable Linux OS - Skills: Network penetration testing - Download: Official Metasploit website

5. VulnHub - What: Collection of vulnerable VMs - Skills: Full penetration testing - Website: vulnhub.com

CTF Platforms:

6. PicoCTF - What: Beginner-friendly CTF challenges - Skills: Various security topics - Website: picoctf.org

7. OverTheWire - What: War games and challenges - Skills: Linux, cryptography, web security - Website: overthewire.org

8. CTFtime - What: Calendar of CTF competitions - Skills: Competitive hacking - Website: ctftime.org

🔧 Essential Tools & Scripts

Reconnaissance:

1. Subfinder

# Install
go install -v github.com/projectdiscovery/subfinder/v2/cmd/subfinder@latest

# Usage
subfinder -d target.com -o subdomains.txt

2. httpx

# Install  
go install -v github.com/projectdiscovery/httpx/cmd/httpx@latest

# Usage
cat subdomains.txt | httpx -o alive.txt

3. ffuf

# Install
go install github.com/ffuf/ffuf@latest

# Usage
ffuf -w wordlist.txt -u http://target.com/FUZZ

Essential Scripts:

4. Reconnaissance Automation Script

#!/bin/bash
target=$1
echo "Starting recon on $target"

# Subdomain enumeration
subfinder -d $target -o subs.txt
cat subs.txt | httpx -o alive.txt

# Directory enumeration
while read subdomain; do
    ffuf -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt -u $subdomain/FUZZ -o $subdomain-dirs.json
done < alive.txt

echo "Recon complete!"

5. Bug Bounty Notification Script

import requests
import time

def check_programs():
    # Check for new bug bounty programs
    # Send notifications when found
    pass

while True:
    check_programs()
    time.sleep(3600)  # Check hourly

📱 Mobile Apps (Learn On-The-Go)

1. Cyber Aces

  • Platform: iOS/Android
  • Content: Interactive cybersecurity tutorials
  • Best for: Basic concepts and terminology

2. SoloLearn

  • Platform: iOS/Android
  • Content: Programming languages (Python, JavaScript)
  • Best for: Coding skills development

3. Linux Command Library

  • Platform: iOS/Android
  • Content: Linux command reference
  • Best for: Quick command lookup

4. Cybersecurity Quiz

  • Platform: iOS/Android
  • Content: Security knowledge testing
  • Best for: Certification preparation

🌐 Communities & Networking

Discord Servers:

1. TryHackMe Official - Members: 100k+ - Focus: Learning support and challenges - Value: Beginner-friendly environment

2. The Many Hats Club - Members: 50k+ - Focus: Professional cybersecurity discussions - Value: Industry networking

3. InfoSec Prep - Members: 30k+ - Focus: Certification preparation - Value: Study groups and resources

Reddit Communities:

4. r/netsec - Members: 500k+ - Focus: Network security news and research - Value: Latest security developments

5. r/AskNetsec - Members: 200k+ - Focus: Career advice and questions - Value: Professional guidance

6. r/cybersecurity - Members: 800k+ - Focus: General cybersecurity discussions - Value: Broad community engagement

Twitter (X) Accounts:

7. @NahamSec - Bug bounty insights 8. @stokfredrik - Bug bounty methodology
9. @jhaddix - Security research and tools 10. @TomNomNom - Tool development and techniques

📰 News & Research Sources

Security News:

1. Krebs on Security - Website: krebsonsecurity.com - Focus: Cybercrime investigations - Value: Deep dive into security incidents

2. The Hacker News - Website: thehackernews.com - Focus: Latest security vulnerabilities - Value: Daily security updates

3. Bleeping Computer - Website: bleepingcomputer.com - Focus: Malware and security incidents - Value: Technical analysis of threats

Research & Papers:

4. Google Project Zero Blog - Website: googleprojectzero.blogspot.com - Focus: Advanced vulnerability research - Value: Cutting-edge security research

5. PortSwigger Research - Website: portswigger.net/research - Focus: Web application security research - Value: Novel attack techniques

🎓 Certification Resources

Security+ (Entry Level):

  • Study Guide: CompTIA Security+ Study Guide by Darril Gibson
  • Practice Tests: Professor Messer's Security+ Course
  • Video Course: CBT Nuggets Security+ Training

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker):

  • Official Courseware: EC-Council materials
  • Practice Labs: iLabs virtual environments
  • Additional Study: Matt Walker's CEH book

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional):

  • Official Course: PWK (Penetration Testing with Kali)
  • Practice: TryHackMe OSCP Preparation room
  • Additional: VulnHub machines

CISSP (Management Level):

  • Study Guide: (ISC)² Official Study Guide
  • Boot Camp: InfoSec Institute CISSP training
  • Practice: Boson ExSim practice tests

💰 Bug Bounty Resources

Platforms:

  1. HackerOne - Largest platform
  2. Bugcrowd - Strong community
  3. Intigriti - European focus
  4. Synack - Invite-only premium

Learning Resources:

  • Nahamsec's Twitch - Live bug hunting
  • Bug Bounty Notes - Methodology documentation
  • OWASP Testing Guide - Comprehensive methodology
  • HackerOne Hacktivity - Public disclosure database

📅 Daily Learning Schedule

Morning (30 minutes):

  • Read security news (Krebs, THN)
  • Check vulnerability databases
  • Review new CVEs

Lunch (15 minutes):

  • Watch one YouTube tutorial
  • Read industry blog post
  • Check community discussions

Evening (60-90 minutes):

  • Hands-on practice (TryHackMe/HTB)
  • Work through book chapters
  • Practice on vulnerable applications

Weekend (3-4 hours):

  • Longer practice sessions
  • Work on personal projects
  • Participate in CTF competitions

✅ Resource Priority Checklist

Month 1: Foundation Building

✅ TryHackMe Complete Beginner path ✅ Subscribe to top 3 YouTube channels ✅ Join main Discord communities ✅ Set up practice environment

Month 2: Skill Development

✅ PortSwigger Web Security Academy ✅ Start reading Web App Hacker's Handbook ✅ Practice on DVWA ✅ Begin following security news daily

Month 3: Specialization

✅ Choose HackTheBox or advanced TryHackMe ✅ Focus on specialized YouTube channels ✅ Join niche communities for your path ✅ Start building personal toolkit

Month 4+: Mastery & Community

✅ Contribute to open source projects ✅ Create content (blog posts, videos) ✅ Mentor newcomers in communities ✅ Attend virtual conferences and meetups

🎯 Final Resource Recommendation

If you could only use 5 resources:

  1. TryHackMe - Structured learning path
  2. PortSwigger Academy - Web security mastery
  3. IppSec YouTube - Advanced techniques
  4. Web App Hacker's Handbook - Deep knowledge
  5. InfoSec community Discord - Support and motivation

These 5 resources can take you from zero to job-ready.

Everything else is bonus.

🔗 Conclusion

You now have access to the best resources in cybersecurity.

Remember: Knowledge without action is worthless.

Pick your resources. Start today. Stay consistent.

Your cybersecurity journey begins now.

"I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think." - Socrates

The resources are here. The thinking is up to you.