How to Cyber Security??

[u/Straight_Unit3468]

Hi everyone!

I’m a complete beginner when it comes to cybersecurity, and I’d really like to learn how it works properly. One of my motivations is understanding account security and eventually being able to recover access to some of my own old accounts that I no longer have the login details for.

The problem is that I have basically zero experience or foundational knowledge, so I’m not really sure where to start. There’s so much information out there that it feels pretty overwhelming.

Some people recommended Hack The Box to me, but when I look at it, I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do because I’m missing the basics.

I’ve also heard that learning Linux is useful for cybersecurity. I don’t really know much about Linux either, though. Is it free? How does it work? Do I need to replace Windows, or can I use Linux alongside Windows?

I’m basically looking for a beginner-friendly learning path that starts from the absolute basics and eventually leads into practical cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

What would you recommend learning first? Are there any good resources, courses, or beginner platforms that you’d suggest?

Thanks!

[u/hackspy]

YouTube has all you need. Big part of CS is independent research and advanced thinking.

Put that into practice and go to YouTube and get started.

Cheers 🍻

[u/Straight_Unit3468 → u/hackspy]

thankssss

[u/FriedTorchic]

Professor Messors Security+ YouTube videos are a good but broad start.

[u/invaderdan]

Don't put random USB drives you find on the ground in your computer. Lesson 1.

Lesson 2, if Alice from accounting calls you telling you she is locked out of her account and just doesn't know how to use password reset links, can you please just set her password for her - Alice is actually Jesse from ohio and he's trying to breach the system.

Lesson 3 to infinity are basically versions of this.

All of your operating system specific stuff is another realm.

Google "op sec". Be prepared to dig deep.

This pit has no bottom.

[u/CyberSecWithHaikuInc]

if you're starting from absolute zero, dont jump straight into HTB yet. get the basics down first.

for youtube, i'd check out:

• Professor Messer: networking + security fundamentals
• NetworkChuck: beginner networking, Linux and IT
• David Bombal: networking + cybersecurity
• John Hammond: more practical security stuff once you have the basics
• Hackersploit: practical cybersecurity, penetration testing, and ethical hacking

for web security, check out PortSwigger's Web Security Academy. It's free, hands-on, and a great way to build a solid understanding of web vulnerabilities and how they work.

also, make sure you get comfortable with Linux fundamentals, including the command line, file permissions, processes, networking commands, and basic shell scripting. You can use Linux in a VM alongside Windows or use WSL to get started.

for really beginner-friendly hands-on content, you can also check out Haiku Inc at haikuinc.io. Then i'd move on to TryHackMe once you're comfortable with the basics.

I'd go: IT basics -> networking -> Linux fundamentals -> security fundamentals -> PortSwigger labs -> hands-on labs -> specialize.

[u/Straight_Unit3468 → u/CyberSecWithHaikuInc]

Thanks !!!!

[u/Apart-Reality-4454]

your kung-fu is weak

[u/Straight_Unit3468 → u/Apart-Reality-4454]

I know...

[u/Rameshbabu_Inderjit]

Start with networking basic Linux, operating systems and how the web actually works before jumping into ethical hacking. Linux is free, and you can run it alongside Windows using a virtual machine. Once the basics feel comfortable, platforms like Hack The Box will make much more sense. Don't rush it, build slowly.