Cyber Security Mastery: From Zero to Hero
Cyber Security Mastery: From Zero to Hero
This comprehensive '0 to Hero' course is designed specifically for absolute beginners aiming to master the fundamentals and practical applications of cybersecurity. We start with essential networking concepts and the core principles of security, progressing through hands-on lab setup using critical operating systems like Kali Linux, Windows, and virtualization software (VirtualBox/VMware). You will gain expert knowledge in both defensive (Blue Team) techniques—covering firewalls, SIEM, and incident response—and offensive (Red Team) strategies, including reconnaissance, scanning, and exploitation using industry-standard tools like Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, and Burp Suite. By the end of this 150-lesson journey, you will possess the practical skills and theoretical understanding required to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Lessons
- Welcome & Course Overview: Your Cybersecurity Journey
- Defining Cyber Security and Its Importance
- The CIA Triad: Core Security Principles
- Threat Actors and Their Motivations
- Networking Fundamentals: The OSI Model
- TCP/IP Protocol Suite Explained
- IP Addressing and Subnetting Basics
- Ports and Services: How Applications Communicate
- Understanding Malware: Viruses, Worms, and Trojans
- Social Engineering Tactics Explained
- Phishing and Vishing Explained
- Cryptography Basics: Symmetric vs. Asymmetric
- Hashing and Digital Signatures
- Security Policies and Procedures
- Legal and Ethical Hacking Introduction
- Why Linux is Essential for Cybersecurity
- Setting up Your Lab: Virtualization Overview
- Installing VirtualBox Step-by-Step (Tool)
- Introduction to Linux Distributions (Distros)
- Basic Linux Command Line Interface (CLI) I
- Basic Linux CLI II: File Permissions
- Advanced Linux CLI III: Piping and Redirection
- Deep Dive into Kali Linux (OS)
- Kali Linux Interface and Essential Menus
- Securing Your Host OS (Windows/macOS)
- Windows Security Features Overview (OS)
- Understanding Windows Command Prompt and PowerShell
- macOS Security Features (OS)
- Introduction to Linux Shell Scripting (Bash I)
- Bash Scripting II: Variables and Loops
- Network Configuration in Linux
- Service Management in Linux (systemctl)
- Understanding Filesystems (ext4, NTFS)
- Setting up a Vulnerable Target Machine (Metasploitable)
- The Importance of Snapshots and Isolation
- Firewalls: Principles and Types
- Configuring Basic iptables Rules (Linux Firewall Tool)
- Introduction to Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
- Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) Explained
- Choosing and Implementing Strong Passwords
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Deep Dive
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) vs. Traditional AV
- Patch Management Strategies
- Asset Inventory and Management
- Data Backup and Recovery Planning
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Concepts
- Essential Logging in Windows Events
- Essential Logging in Linux (Syslog)
- Monitoring Tools Introduction (Nagios, Zabbix concepts)
- Hardening Operating Systems (Principle of Least Privilege)
- Securing Web Browsers
- Email Security and DMARC/SPF
- Introduction to Cloud Security Controls
- Disaster Recovery Planning
- Ethical Hacking Methodology Overview
- Phase 1: Reconnaissance (Passive vs. Active)
- Passive Reconnaissance: Google Dorking
- Tool: Whois and Domain Information Gathering
- Tool: DNS Enumeration (nslookup, dig)
- Tool: Harvesting Email Addresses (theHarvester)
- Tool: Finding Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
- Tool: Shodan Explained (The Search Engine for IoT)
- Phase 2: Scanning and Enumeration
- Introduction to Nmap: The Network Scanner (Tool)
- Nmap Basic Syntax and Host Discovery
- Nmap: Port Scanning Techniques (SYN, TCP Connect, UDP)
- Nmap: Service Version Detection
- Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) Basics
- Advanced Nmap Scans (Timing and Decoys)
- Vulnerability Assessment Concepts
- Introduction to OpenVAS (Vulnerability Scanner Tool)
- Enumerating SMB and NFS
- Enumerating SNMP
- Active Directory Recon Basics
- Scanning for Live Hosts (ARP Ping)
- Bypassing Basic Firewalls During Scanning
- Identifying Operating Systems (OS Fingerprinting)
- Documentation During Penetration Testing
- Reporting Scan Results
- Phase 3: Gaining Access (Exploitation)
- Understanding Vulnerabilities and Exploits
- Introduction to Exploit Databases (Exploit-DB, CVE)
- Introduction to Metasploit Framework (MSF) (Tool)
- MSF Architecture (Modules, Payloads, Encoders)
- Using `msfconsole` I: Basics
- Using `msfconsole` II: Search and Use
- Choosing and Configuring Exploits in Metasploit
- Understanding Payloads (Staged vs. Non-Staged)
- Generating Reverse Shells with MSFvenom (Tool)
- Post-Exploitation Basics: Meterpreter
- Post-Exploitation: Keylogging and Screenshots
- Introduction to Buffer Overflows (Conceptual)
- Privilege Escalation Techniques (Linux)
- Privilege Escalation Techniques (Windows)
- File Transfer Techniques (Netcat, Python HTTP Server)
- Tool: Netcat (The Swiss Army Knife)
- Wireshark I: Introduction to Packet Sniffing (Tool)
- Wireshark II: Filters and Following Streams
- Wireshark III: Analyzing Common Protocols (HTTP, DNS)
- Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack Concepts
- ARP Spoofing Basics (Conceptual)
- Introduction to Post-Exploitation Persistence
- Covering Tracks and Clearing Logs
- Password Cracking I: Terminology (Hashes, Salts)
- Tool: John the Ripper (JTR) Setup and Basics
- Tool: Hashcat Introduction (GPU Cracking)
- Dictionary Attacks vs. Brute Force
- Rainbow Tables (Conceptual)
- Best Practices for Protecting Against Cracking
- Web Application Security Fundamentals
- OWASP Top 10 Explained (Injection Flaws)
- OWASP Top 10: Broken Authentication
- OWASP Top 10: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- OWASP Top 10: Security Misconfigurations
- Introduction to Web Proxies
- Tool: Burp Suite Community Edition Setup
- Burp Suite I: Intercepting HTTP Traffic
- Burp Suite II: Using the Repeater
- Burp Suite III: Basic Intruder Usage
- Directory Traversal and File Inclusion Vulnerabilities
- Introduction to SQL Injection
- Preventing Web Application Attacks (Input Validation)
- Wireless Networking Basics (802.11 standards)
- WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3 Comparison
- Wireless Hacking Lab Setup (Monitor Mode)
- Tool: Aircrack-ng Suite Overview
- Attacking WPA/WPA2 Handshakes
- Deauthentication Attacks (Conceptual)
- Protecting Your Wireless Network
- Introduction to Digital Forensics
- Chain of Custody in Forensics
- Imaging Drives (Conceptual: dd, FTK Imager)
- Memory Forensics Basics
- Introduction to Incident Response (Preparation and Identification)
- Containment and Eradication in IR
- Recovery and Lessons Learned
- Introduction to Cloud Security Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Basic AWS/Azure Security Concepts
- Securing Containers (Docker basics)
- Python for Security I: Automation Basics
- Python for Security II: Socket Programming (Conceptual)
- Capture The Flag (CTF) Competitions Introduction
- Types of CTFs (Jeopardy, Attack/Defense)
- Important Security Certifications (CompTIA Security+)
- Important Security Certifications (CEH, OSCP overview)
- Building a Professional Cybersecurity Resume
- Interview Preparation and Technical Questions
- Staying Up-to-Date in Cybersecurity
- Course Conclusion and Next Steps