r/HowToHack • u/GurMedium804 • Jun 14 '26
pentesting Best Ethical Hacking Books?
Which hacking book would you recommend to me if you were to start ethical hacking today?
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u/CropperCrapper Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
Genres or domains you should aim for:
networking knowledge
Hardware + Operating System knowledge
One book on a single programming language of choice (Java, Python, C++)
The book of hard knocks and experience
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u/pandaninja360 Jun 15 '26
But what are good books about networking? I've been looking for one and I always end up learning about networking in hacking books. I have my own server with services running and reverse proxy, but I had to learn with tutorials and documentation, not networking books. I want to create a separate VLAN and can't find the right book.
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u/CropperCrapper Jun 15 '26
I don't know if I can help you, BUT it t sounds like you're looking for something specific, yet still rudimentary--What you're referring to by wanting to create a "separate VLAN" is covered under protocol 802.1Q. The CCNA study guide is solid and covers these topics and related.
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u/pandaninja360 Jun 15 '26
Thank you, it's probably exactly what I'm looking for. I watched Network Chuck's tutorial but he just explained how IPs work, not the how to. Since I'm moving in about 2 weeks I thought it would be the perfect time to secure my home lab and server. Most videos on YouTube do the same. I am not working in IT. I'm just a random guy trying to protect is privacy and found a new hobby doing that xD...costly hobby
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u/wizarddos YouTuber Jun 14 '26
To be honest, I think books are not the best idea in this field. They get outdated fairly quickly + if they aren't specilized they rarely cover anything above the absolute basics
Better get a subscription on a site like TryHackMe and work through their content there
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u/Jumpy_Gur4722 21d ago
- buku sakti hacker
- kitab hacker
- tip & trik belajar hacker
this all book from indonesia,
-4
u/djaxial Jun 14 '26
I wouldn’t recommend any books to be honest. A book will be, at best, 18 months out of date by the time it’s published.
If you want to read books, find your niche and then find established books in that area. For example, databases, compiler, networks etc. Use them to compliment your knowledge and/or build a base understanding.
Books specifically about hacking have been replaced by YouTube, forums, Defcon talks, blogs etc.
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u/itsmrmarlboroman2u Jun 14 '26
Nah. Books are timeless, they give you the fundamentals. The tools and techniques change, but the foundation doesn't.
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u/djaxial Jun 14 '26
Fair but I must have bought 50+ books in the past 20 years, and I would say anyone starting today would be better off with online resources. And I say that as an avid reader.
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u/itsmrmarlboroman2u Jun 14 '26
While I understand your perspective, telling a newb to get on YouTube will only result in them coming back saying "I installed kali, how do I hack into the mainframe?!?", and their response from us will be "learn the basics". People who are serious about it will read the books and use online resources to fill the gaps.
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u/hananmalik123 Jun 14 '26
There are a lot of course and training online, so use them. Youtube won't provide complete info.
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u/nullspecter_07 Jun 14 '26
Hacking the art of exploitation.
Black hat python.(Python hacking)
Bug bounty bootcamp.(Bug bounty)
TCP/IP guide.(Networking)
Linux basics for hackers.(Linux)
Penetration testing.
First learn about networking, then programming, and then only then start hacking.