Ethical hacking is not about shortcuts. It’s about mindset, skill, consistency—and following a smart roadmap.
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🧠 Intro
In 2025, cybersecurity is booming. More apps, more data, more vulnerabilities—and more demand for skilled hackers.
But it’s easy to get lost in the noise. This roadmap is realistic, beginner-friendly, and updated for today’s tools and threats.
🛡️ What Is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking means legally breaking into systems to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.
You think like an attacker—but act like a guardian.
It includes:
- Web App Testing
- Network Pentesting
- Malware Analysis
- Bug Bounty Hunting
- Red Team / Blue Team Ops
🧰 Skills You Need
| Skill | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Linux Basics | Most hacking is done on Linux (esp. Kali) |
| Networking | Understand IPs, ports, protocols, DNS, etc. |
| Programming | Python, Bash, and JavaScript are powerful |
| Web Tech | HTML, JS, HTTP, APIs—core for web hacking |
| Tools | Learn Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit |
🧭 Step-by-Step Roadmap
Month 1–2: Fundamentals
- Learn Linux (Kali, Ubuntu)
- Basic terminal commands
- Understand networking: OSI model, IP, DNS, ports
- Study web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS, HTTP)
Month 3–4: Tools & Hands-On Practice
- Nmap (network scanning)
- Wireshark (traffic analysis)
- Burp Suite (web app testing)
- Nikto, Gobuster, Dirsearch, Metasploit basics
Try Hack The Box, TryHackMe, PortSwigger Labs
Month 5–6: Vulnerabilities & Real Attacks
- OWASP Top 10 (XSS, SQLi, IDOR, SSRF, etc.)
- Practice exploiting them on platforms
- Write notes and summaries
Month 7–8: Bug Bounty Mindset
- Join HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or OpenBB
- Read writeups daily
- Report low-hanging bugs on public programs
Month 9–12: Deepen + Build Your Brand
- Learn scripting (Python for automation)
- Bash for system tasks
- Build a blog / GitHub / LinkedIn
- Document your journey + create portfolio
📜 Certifications (Optional but Helpful)
| Cert | Why Get It |
|---|---|
| CEH | Good intro, HR-friendly |
| eJPT | Hands-on and affordable |
| PNPT | Great for real-world pentesting |
| CompTIA Sec+ | Good cybersecurity fundamentals |
Certs aren’t required, but they help with job applications and credibility.
🛠️ Build Projects and a Portfolio
Start small but make it real:
- WiFi scanner in Python
- Port scanner or web recon tool
- Write hacking writeups
- Build a GitHub profile
- Create a simple blog (AstroPaper!)
This shows you’re serious—not just learning, but doing.
🧠 Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be a genius. You don’t need to be from a big city. You just need:
- Consistency
- Curiosity
- Patience
- A love for breaking and fixing
Start now. Go slow if you must. But don’t stop.
Becoming a hacker isn’t magic—it’s momentum.