Ask HN: Where can I start learning about hacking? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Where can I start learning about hacking?

12 pointsbestcoder7 comments

I'm an experienced developer but I can't get a job as a developer but honestly I had long ago started hating every second I spent writing software.

Instead of crying about not being able to get a job I guarantee I'll hate and will make me less of a person and generally unhappier I've finally had enough of a break from the iq-toxic environment that encompasses all of software development that I think I might be able to enjoy learning something new and maybe I'll get a job the specializes in that.

Two things come to mind. Machine learning and hacking. I think machine learning will be too similar to normal software development though. So maybe hacking is a good direction for me to try.

I've tried and failed with metasploit in the past. Failed because I couldn't find a good book. I know to be a hacker you have to know about a lot of things. I'm more interested in hacking into networks, finding vulnerabilities, and exploiting them. All legally, of course.

Please tell me what book I should read first. Thank you, and I will see you in Zion.

There's a lot of things to unravel.

First off, ask yourself if you know the fundamentals - all of relevant RFCs [0] and architecture manuals [1].

Now that I've answered your question, I will offer you advice you may not like. You have to fix your attitude to get a paying job. Labeling software development IQ-toxic is not OK, you're basically insulting a bunch of hardworking folks. Humility helps - stop calling yourself 'best coder', ask your friend for a mock interview and listen to the feedback.

Patience also helps - you don't have to make hasty conclusions if you aren't familiar with subject matter - machine learning is not really like software development.

Last, but not least - please forget about becoming a black hat, committing crimes won't help your self-esteem.

[0] - https://www.ietf.org/standards/rfcs/

[1] - https://software.intel.com/content/www/us/en/develop/article...

https://noncombatant.org/2016/06/20/get-into-security-engine... is an amazing overview of security engineering and provides some resources to get started

Also, I haven't checked it yet, but I just saw this on the home page: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25812025

Take a look at bugcrowd and hackerone. Ton of resources and opportunities, even to make some money.

Not a book, but a class and OSCP certification by the folks who brought you Kali Linux.

https://www.offensive-security.com/pwk-oscp/

If you have the cash, the Penetration Testing With Kali Linux course is awesome and fairly cheap as far as courses go.

Look into pentesting. There are many resources out there for it.

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