– Ethics and legal considerations.
– Types of hackers (white hat, black hat, gray hat).
– Hacking phases: Reconnaissance, Scanning, Gaining Access, Maintaining Access, and Covering Tracks.
– Understand the ethical boundaries and phases of hacking.
– Research a recent ethical hacking case study and write a summary. |
– Basics of Cybersecurity
– Overview of security concepts (CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability).
– Understanding vulnerabilities and exploits.
– Build foundational knowledge of cybersecurity and hacking principles.
– Identify potential vulnerabilities in a hypothetical network.

– TCP/IP model.
– OSI layers.
– Common protocols: HTTP, FTP, DNS, SSH, etc.
– Basics of firewalls and NAT.
– Gain knowledge of how data flows in networks and understand common protocols.
– Set up a basic home network and analyze its configuration.
– Introduction to Kali Linux
– Installation and setup of Kali Linux.
– Key tools overview (Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, etc.).Become comfortable navigating and using the ethical hacker’s toolkit.
– Install Kali Linux and explore its built-in tools.

– Active vs. Passive reconnaissance.
– WHOIS lookups.
– Social engineering basics.
– DNS enumeration.
– Tools: Maltego, Recon-ng.
– Understand how to gather information about a target system or organization.
– Use WHOIS and Recon-ng to gather data about a public website

 – Port scanning with Nmap.
 – Identifying live hosts.
– Banner grabbing.
– Vulnerability scanning tools (OpenVAS, Nessus). Identify potential entry points into systems through scanning and enumeration techniques. Scan a test environment to identify open ports and services.

– Exploitation frameworks (Metasploit).
– Password attacks (brute force, dictionary attacks).
– Exploiting web vulnerabilities (SQL injection, XSS).
– Learn how attackers gain unauthorized access to systems and applications.
– Use Metasploit to exploit a test vulnerability in a lab environment.

 – Understanding privilege escalation.
 – Windows vs. Linux privilege escalation techniques.
 – Tools: PowerSploit, LinPEAS.
– Learn to escalate privileges once access has been gained.
– Perform privilege escalation on a vulnerable machine (e.g., Hack The Box challenge).

 – Backdoors and rootkits.
 – Creating persistence.
– Trojans and malware basics.
– Understand how attackers maintain access to compromised systems.
– Set up a basic backdoor in a controlled environment and remove it.

 – Clearing logs.
 – Anti-forensic techniques.
 – Tools for obscuring evidence.
 – Learn how attackers attempt to hide their actions and the importance of forensic readiness.
– Simulate log cleaning on a test machine and learn how to detect tampering.

 – OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities (SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF, etc.).
 – Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP. | Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications.
– Perform vulnerability testing on a mock web application.

  – Cracking Wi-Fi passwords (WEP, WPA/WPA2).
  – Packet injection techniques.
  – Tools: Aircrack-ng, Reaver.
 – Gain insights into the weaknesses of wireless networks and how to secure them.
 – Crack a test wireless network (controlled environment) using Aircrack-ng.

 – Creating professional penetration testing reports.
 – Risk assessment and remediation planning.
 – Standards: OWASP, PTES.
 – Learn to communicate findings effectively and propose actionable remediation steps.
 – Write a penetration test report for a simulated environment.

– Perform an end-to-end penetration test on a controlled lab environment.
– Apply all skills learned in a practical, real-world simulation.
– Present findings in a detailed report, including vulnerabilities and recommendations.
Key Deliverables:
1. Mini Projects:
– Weekly lab exercises to reinforce key concepts.
– Use platforms like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, or a custom virtual lab.
2. Capstone Project:
– Conduct an end-to-end penetration test on a simulated network.
– Document findings in a professional penetration testing report.

– Operating Systems: Kali Linux, Parrot OS.
– Reconnaissance Tools: Maltego, Recon-ng, WHOIS, Shodan.
– Scanning Tools: Nmap, Nessus, OpenVAS.
– Exploitation Tools: Metasploit, SQLMap, Hydra.
– Web Testing Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP.
– Wireless Tools: Aircrack-ng, Reaver.
– Learning Platforms: Hack The Box, TryHackMe, CyberSecLabs.