Best Platforms To Practice Ethical Hacking
Discover the best platforms to practice ethical hacking. Improve your cybersecurity skills with hands-on challenges and labs. Get started now!
Introduction:
Ethical hacking, also known as white-hat hacking, is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity. Ethical hackers play a pivotal role in identifying and fixing vulnerabilities in computer systems, applications, and networks, helping organizations protect their sensitive data from malicious actors. If you aspire to become an ethical hacker or improve your hacking skills, practicing on safe and legal platforms is essential. In this blog, we will explore some of the best platforms where you can practice ethical hacking and answer some common questions about hacking websites.
HackThis:
- Website: https://www.hackthis.co.uk/
- HackThis offers a range of challenges that help you improve your hacking skills, covering various levels of difficulty.
OverTheWire:
- Website: https://overthewire.org/
- OverTheWire provides a set of war games and challenges designed to enhance your knowledge of Linux and security.
Root Me:
- Website: https://www.root-me.org/
- Root Me offers a wide range of hacking challenges, including web application security, network penetration testing, and more.
HackTheBox:
- Website: https://www.hackthebox.eu/
- HackTheBox is a popular platform for hands-on penetration testing exercises, featuring a diverse set of machines to exploit.
VulnHub:
- Website: https://www.vulnhub.com/
- VulnHub specializes in vulnerable virtual machines (VMs) that you can download and practice on using various hacking techniques.
Hellbound Hackers:
- Website: https://www.hellboundhackers.org/
- Hellbound Hackers offers challenges and tutorials for aspiring ethical hackers, covering a wide range of topics.
TryHackMe:
- Website: https://tryhackme.com/
- TryHackMe provides an excellent learning environment with various labs, capture-the-flag (CTF) challenges, and rooms for users of all skill levels.
Damn Vulnerable Web App (DVWA):
- Website: http://www.dvwa.co.uk/
- DVWA is a deliberately vulnerable web application that allows you to practice web application security testing.
PentesterLab:
- Website: https://pentesterlab.com/
- PentesterLab offers hands-on exercises and labs focused on web application security and penetration testing.
WebGoat:
- Website: https://owasp.org/www-project-webgoat/
- WebGoat is an OWASP project that provides a deliberately insecure web application for learning and practicing web security.
bWAPP (Buggy Web Application):
- Website: http://www.itsecgames.com/
- bWAPP is another intentionally vulnerable web application designed for security enthusiasts to test their skills.
Ctflearn:
- Website: https://ctflearn.com/
- Ctflearn is an online platform that offers a variety of CTF challenges and tutorials for hackers at all levels.
Google Gruyere:
- Website: https://google-gruyere.appspot.com/
- Gruyere is a Google project that provides a vulnerable web application for you to practice web security concepts.
BodgeIt Store:
- Website: https://github.com/psiinon/bodgeit
- BodgeIt Store is another intentionally insecure web application that allows you to test your web security skills.
Get Your Free Hacking Lab VM:
- Website: Varies, depending on the provider
- Many platforms offer downloadable virtual machines specifically designed for ethical hacking practice.
Vicnum:
- Website: https://github.com/OWASP/vicnum
- Vicnum is an OWASP project offering a vulnerable web application designed for security testing and practice.
Security Shepherd:
- Website: https://github.com/OWASP/SecurityShepherd
- Security Shepherd is an OWASP project that provides a wide range of security challenges and labs.
Try2Hack:
- Website: http://www.try2hack.nl/
- Try2Hack offers a series of challenges and puzzles to hone your hacking skills.
Web Security Dojo:
- Website: https://github.com/OWASP/SecurityKnowledgeFramework
- Web Security Dojo is a virtual machine containing various web application security tools and training materials.
Hacker 101:
- Website: https://www.hacker101.com/
- Hacker 101 is an educational platform that provides hacking challenges and courses to enhance your knowledge.
Juice Shop:
- Website: https://juice-shop.herokuapp.com/
- Juice Shop is a deliberately insecure web application designed by OWASP for practicing and improving your web security skills.
McAfee HacMe Sites:
- Website: https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/security-awareness/foundstone/hacme-bank.html
- McAfee offers HacMe sites, which are intentionally vulnerable applications for security testing.
PortSwigger Web Security Academy:
- Website: https://portswigger.net/web-security
- The Web Security Academy by PortSwigger offers various web security challenges and labs.
Why Are Hacking Websites Important:
Hacking websites play a crucial role in the development of ethical hacking skills. They provide a safe and legal environment for individuals to learn and practice hacking techniques. By using these platforms, you can gain hands-on experience in identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses, and securing systems against potential threats.
FAQs:
Which website to practice hacking?
You can practice hacking on websites like HackThis, OverTheWire, Root Me, HackTheBox, VulnHub, and many others mentioned in this blog.
Which website do hackers use?
Ethical hackers and security enthusiasts often use platforms like HackTheBox, VulnHub, and TryHackMe to practice and improve their hacking skills.
Where do hackers learn to hack?
Hackers learn to hack through various means, including online courses, forums, blogs, and by practicing on hacking websites.
What do hackers practice?
Hackers practice a wide range of skills, including network penetration testing, web application security, reverse engineering, cryptography, and more.
Are hackers self-taught?
Many hackers are self-taught, but formal education and training in cybersecurity and ethical hacking can also be beneficial.
What do hackers learn first?
Hackers often start by learning basic programming languages like Python, Linux command-line usage, and networking fundamentals before delving into more advanced hacking techniques.
Do hackers use Python?
Yes, Python is a popular programming language among hackers due to its versatility and extensive libraries for cybersecurity tasks.
Do hackers use coding?
Yes, coding is an essential skill for hackers, as they often need to write scripts and exploit code to perform various hacking tasks.
What is hacker code?
“Hacker code” refers to a set of ethical principles and guidelines followed by ethical hackers to ensure responsible and legal hacking practices. These principles include obtaining proper authorization before testing systems, not causing harm, and reporting vulnerabilities responsibly.
