Learn Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux in 30 Days
Introduction:
Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution that is specifically designed for digital forensics, penetration testing, and security auditing. It is one of the most popular and widely used Linux distributions for ethical hacking and penetration testing. In this post, I will provide a 30-day plan to help you learn Kali Linux using free online resources.
Day 1–2: Linux Fundamentals
Start with the basics of Linux and the command line interface. Get comfortable with basic commands and operations in the terminal.
Some recommended resources are:
Codecademy’s “Learn the Command Line” course (https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-the-command-line) and Tutorials Point’s Unix tutorials (https://www.tutorialspoint.com/unix/index.htm).
Day 3–4: Introduction to Kali Linux
Familiarize yourself with the Kali Linux distribution and its various components. Get to know its installation process and learn about the different tools and utilities it provides.
Visit the official Kali Linux documentation (https://docs.kali.org/installation/kali-linux-installation) and website (https://www.kali.org/docs/introduction/) for more information.
Day 5–7: Terminal Operations
Learn how to navigate the terminal and use basic commands to manipulate files and directories. Get a good grasp of the terminal environment, and practice using commands like ls, cd, and pwd.
Check out the Unix commands tutorials from Guru99 (https://www.guru99.com/unix-linux-commands.html) and
Tutorials Point (https://www.tutorialspoint.com/unix/unix-basic-operators.htm).
Day 8–10: Networking Fundamentals
Before diving into penetration testing, it’s important to have a good understanding of networking concepts. Learn about different types of networks, protocols, and their uses.
Some recommended resources are:
Guru99’s Network Fundamentals (https://www.guru99.com/network-fundamentals.html) and
Tutorials Point’s Computer Network Tutorials (https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_network_tutorials.htm).
Day 11–14: Web Application Security
Understand the basics of web application security and common vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
Get to know the OWASP Top 10 (https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Top_10-2017_Top_10) and
Burp Suite (https://portswigger.net/burp/documentation), two popular tools used by penetration testers.
Day 15–17: Information Gathering
Information gathering is an essential step in penetration testing. Learn how to gather information about target systems and networks using tools such as Nmap (https://nmap.org/book/man.html), whois (https://www.whois.net/), and dig (https://www.tutorialspoint.com/unix_commands/dig.htm).
Day 18–20: Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
Understand the concepts of ethical hacking and penetration testing and learn how to use tools like Metasploit (https://www.offensive-security.com/metasploit-unleashed/) and Rapid7 (https://www.rapid7.com/docs/metasploit/).
Some recommended resources are:
Guru99’s Penetration Testing Tutorial(https://www.guru99.com/penetration-testing-tutorial.html) and the Metasploit Unleashed guide (https://www.offensive-security.com/metasploit-unleashed/).
Day 21–23: Wireless Network Security
Learn about wireless network security and how to secure and hack wireless networks using tools such as Aircrack-ng (https://www.aircrack-ng.org/doku.php) and Wireshark (https://www.wireshark.org/docs/wsug_html_chunked/).
Day 24–26: Password Cracking
Understand password cracking techniques and learn how to use tools such as John the Ripper (https://www.openwall.com/john/), Hashcat (https://hashcat.net/hashcat/), and Cain & Abel (http://www.oxid.it/cain.html).
Day 27–29: Social Engineering
Learn about social engineering techniques and how to use tools like SET (https://github.com/trustedsec/social-engineer-toolkit), Maltego (https://www.paterva.com/web7/products/maltego.php), and SpoofMAC (https://github.com/feross/SpoofMAC).
Day 30: Final Thoughts
By now, you should have a good understanding of Kali Linux and its tools, as well as the basics of ethical hacking and penetration testing. Keep practicing and exploring new tools, techniques, and resources to continue your learning journey.
Resources
The resources mentioned above are free to use. However, I would like to clarify that some resources may have premium features or content that require payment, but the basic learning materials and tutorials are available for free. Additionally, websites and platforms such as YouTube, Reddit, and forums usually have a vast amount of free content created by experts and enthusiasts. Please note that the information provided is based on my research at the time of writing, and some resources may have changed their pricing or availability since then.
Some important do’s and don’ts in the learning process:
Do's:
Practice regularly and hands-on with Kali Linux tools and techniques.
Use a virtual machine for practicing to ensure security and avoid any potential harm to your system.
Keep yourself updated with the latest tools and techniques in the field.
Read and follow ethical hacking principles and laws to avoid any legal issues.
Ask for help and engage in online communities, forums, and groups related to Kali Linux and ethical hacking.
Don'ts:
Don't use Kali Linux or its tools for illegal activities or hacking into unauthorized systems.
Don't skip any steps or tutorials. Each step is important to building a strong foundation in Kali Linux and ethical hacking.
Don't ignore the importance of security measures, such as using a VPN, encryption, and secure passwords.
Don't rely solely on pre-built tools, as creating your own custom tools and scripts can greatly enhance your skills and knowledge.
Don't ignore the importance of understanding the underlying concepts, such as networking, operating systems, and programming. These fundamentals are essential for effective use of Kali Linux and ethical hacking.
Learning Kali Linux can be an exciting and challenging journey, but with dedication and practice, you can master it. This 30-day plan is designed to help you get started with the basics and gradually progress to more advanced topics. Make the most of the free resources listed in this post and keep learning. Good luck!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you have any questions or would like to reach out to me, feel free to email me. I would love to hear from you and will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you again for your time, and have a great day!
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