Zero to Hero: Ethical Hacking Roadmap 2025 🛡️

The ultimate guide to becoming a penetration tester and bug bounty hunter.

Ethical Hacking

So, you want to be a hacker? Not the kind that steals credit cards, but the kind that companies hire to break into their systems and fix vulnerabilities before the bad guys find them. That's an Ethical Hacker.

It's a cool job, but the path is confusing. Do you learn Python first? Or Networking? Or Linux? Let's break it down into 5 clear phases.

PHASE 1: The Fundamentals (Don't Skip This!)

You cannot hack what you don't understand. Before you run a single tool, you need to know how computers talk to each other.

  • Networking: IP Addresses, MAC, TCP/IP, OSI Model, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, Ports & Protocols.
  • Linux Basics: Stop using Windows for hacking. Install Kali Linux or Parrot OS. Learn the terminal (`cd`, `ls`, `grep`, `chmod`, `chown`).
  • Virtualization: Learn to use VirtualBox or VMware. You need a safe lab to practice hacking without going to jail.

PHASE 2: Programming & Scripting

Hackers don't just use tools; they build them. You don't need to be a software engineer, but you must read code.

  • Python: The #1 language for hacking. Used for writing exploits and automation scripts.
  • Bash Scripting: Essential for automating tasks in Linux.
  • HTML/JavaScript: Crucial if you want to hack websites (XSS attacks rely on JS).

PHASE 3: The Tools of the Trade 🛠️

Now the fun begins. Learn the industry-standard tools used by pros.

Nmap Burp Suite Metasploit Wireshark John the Ripper Hydra

PHASE 4: Pick Your Specialization

You can't master everything. Pick a path:

  1. Web Penetration Testing: Hacking websites and APIs (OWASP Top 10, SQL Injection).
  2. Network Hacking: Hacking WiFi, routers, and corporate networks (Active Directory).
  3. Mobile Hacking: Testing Android & iOS apps for security flaws.

PHASE 5: Certifications & Jobs 🎓

Certificates prove your skills to HR. Here is the hierarchy:

  • Beginner: eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester) - Highly practical.
  • Intermediate: CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) - Good for HR filters, but theory-heavy.
  • Expert (The Gold Standard): OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional). It's a 24-hour brutal exam where you must hack 5 machines. If you have this, you WILL get hired.

Final Advice

Hacking is 90% research and 10% execution. You will fail a lot. You will get stuck. But the feeling when you finally get a shell (access) is worth it. Start legal, stay ethical.

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