Programming, terminals, networking, and penetration testing. There’s a lot to love in computer hacking.
Are you learning to hack?
Maybe you’ve started but can’t keep motivated or you might not know where to start, let’s fix that!
Here’s 100 days of hacking, a flexible learning path to keep you on track.
Are you in? Yes, good, let’s go!
Disclaimer, this is designed for self-paced learning and uses multiple resources from various creators.
1. Your Guide
You’re essentially starting out in Cyber Security, you’re about to nurture a broad set of tech skills, exciting stuff.
Jump around from one resource to another, this is known as scaffolding. It allows you to learn in multiple ways, a great way to have stuff actually sink in.
Free Checklist: Hacker's Learning Path
Offline checklist to track your learning path, become a great hacker and stay on task.
Here’s how to start:
- Courses, there’s a lot of layers to computers, start with some well-structured courses. Intro To Computing is the best starting point, the creator, Dennis Devey, is an independent security researcher who has years of experience.
- Capture The Flags (CTFs), most students in tech are/we’re gamers, start with Over The Wire’s Bandit, warning, it’s addictive. Applying new skills and overcoming each level can be a rush.
- Labs, learn practically by creating your own virtual network. Start with Ubuntu on VirtualBox and take Linux Unhatched.
- Content and community, follow and participate with others in Cyber Sec like NetworkChuck, Day Cyberwox and me!
*Shamless self-promotion, I know.
For a full breakdown, read Beginner Hackers Learning Path and grab a free checklist.
2. Motivation Policy
Learning is hard work and that’s a good thing.
If you’re struggling, that means you’re challenging yourself, but it’s hard to stay motivated when learning gets tough.
Here are the methods to stay focused:
- Set a dream, this is your long-term finish line so make it big, the bigger the better! For example, “I’m going to be the best cyber security professional in the world”.
- Log your activity, take course notes, keep a daily journal and record your projects. This keeps you on track while building a routine.
- Be flexible, don’t stick to a strict schedule, take your time, there’s no rush. Choose quality over quantity with your learning.
- Don’t give up, it’s okay to fail, that’s a part of learning, it’s a good thing to make mistakes. Be humble, pick yourself up and carry on. There is no try, only do, thanks Yoda.
- Share your progress – this is equally exciting as it is terrifying. But do it, share what you learn with the world. Make ‘how-to’ posts or simply share course notes.
3. Join In
There’s no time like the now to start your 100 days of hacking!
Here’s how:
- Write an announcement post (template below).
- (optional) Upload to your website.
- Share via Twitter/LinkedIn/whatever.
- (optional) Tag me @mrashleyball.
Announcement post:
My hacking journey begins, I’ve started #100DaysOfHacking – I’m learning computing fundamentals, programming, networking and heaps more! And the whole time, I’m going to share everything! I’ll be joining @mrashleyball – happy hacking!
If you don’t have a website, see Website In A Week.
4. My Progress
Now you’re aboard, welcome fellow newbie hacker! This post itself is my announcement and here’s it shared via Twitter:
My 100 days of hacking (so far):
- How To Setup Ubuntu Using VirtualBox
- Starting Out In Cyber Security
- PicoCTF General Skills
- Bandit Level 0 → Level 4
- Learning Path For Beginner Hackers
- TryHackMe – RootMe
- Kali Linux WSL WITHOUT Microsoft Store
- Beginner Python Project – Guessing Game
- Bandit Level 5 → Level 10
- Hackers Beginner Guide To Online Anonymity
- Learning Path For Beginner Hackers v2
- Mini Linux Lessons
- Python Basic Project Idea – Is It Raining?
- Linux Unhatched Cisco Course Review And Notes
- Mini Linux Lessons v2
- Beginner Hackers Learning Path v3
- Linux Quick Start Guide
- CyberWox’s Cyber Sec Homelab On Virtual Box
- 100 Days Of Hacking v2
- Basic Home Network Analysis
- Intro To Python • Free Python Starter Guide
- Mad Lib Game • Beginner Python Project
- Hashing Passwords • Python Module Basics
- Username Generator • Beginner Python Program
- Random Number Generator • Easy Python Project
- Bagels • Beginner Python Project
- ZigZag • Beginner Python Project
- Homelabs • Beginner’s Guide To Homelabbing
- Python Range Function • Quick Python Project Lesson
- CompTIA A+ Study Notes (220-1101)
- CompTIA A+ Study Notes (220-1101) v2
- Linux Fundamentals 1 • TryHackMe Walkthrough
- Linux Fundamentals 2 • TryHackMe Walkthrough
- Linux Fundamentals 3 • TryHackMe Walkthrough
- Linux Fundamentals 1 • TryHackMe Walkthrough v2
- Linux Fundamentals 2 • TryHackMe Walkthrough v2
- Linux Fundamentals 3 • TryHackMe Walkthrough v2
- TryHackMe Nmap Walkthrough
- TryHackMe Nmap Room Notes
- TryHackMe Network Services Walkthrough SMB Part 1/3
- TryHackMe Nmap Walkthrough v2
- TryHackMe Network Services Room Notes
- Cowsays What CTF – A Beginner Linux Project
- Hackers Learning Path v4
- TryHackMe Network Services 1 Part 2 Telnet
- TryHackMe Network Services 1 Part 3 FTP
- Learning HTTP Requests – A Mini HTTP Exercise
- CS50 Python Problem Set Guide
- CS50 Python Problem Set Guide v2
- Automate The Boring Stuff With Python Practice Projects
- CS50 Python Problem Set Guide v3
- THM SimpleCTF Hints, Writeup & Notes
- OhSINT Hints, Writeup, Walkthrough & Notes
- Agent Sudo // TryHackMe Walkthrough
- CS50 Python Problem Set Guide v4
- [Video] Crack The Hash TryHackMe Walkthrough
- [Post] Crack The Hash TryHackMe Walkthrough
- [Post] Crack The Hash TryHackMe Walkthrough v2
To be clear, I’m not doing a consecutive 100 days in a row. Follow my journey on Twitter, subscribe to the newsletter and see the blog. Happy Hacking.
