Ethical hacking seems like a contradiction in terms, but it isn't really. It could just as well be described as a sub-sector of cybersecurity, and that's pretty much what it is. As we dive headfirst into a world dominated by computers and the internet, the field of ethical hacking grows more important every day.
So how do you become a security analyst, cybersecurity expert, penetration tester, or ethical hacking consultant? Easy. Take a course. We've compiled a bunch of the best options online, including free and paid resources. Many have on-demand video and practical projects to help you learn information security from the ground up.
Featured Ethical Hacking Courses [Editor’s Picks]
- [Udemy] Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch
- [Coursera] Penetration Testing, Incident Response, and Forensics
- [Udacity] Ethical Hacking Nanodegree Program
CUSTOM CODE - esy
13 Best Online Ethical Hacking Courses in 2024
1. [Udemy] Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch
Why we chose this course
This comprehensive Udemy course on cybersecurity assumes students have no prior experience in the subject. Taught by the CEO of zSecurity, the training focuses on both theory and practical examples.
As one of the best hacking courses online, it breaks the topic down into three parts. First, students learn network hacking. This covers packet sniffing, WEP cracking, and WPA/WPA2 cracking. You know, everything one would need to get started hacking web applications.
Next, it covers different ways of taking full control of computer systems. This includes client-side and server-side attacks, plus web server security tools.
Finally, students learn exploits. This ethical hacker course describes how to access operating systems, file systems, how to maintain access, spying techniques, and other exploits. So if you’re looking for a robust course that covers all the basics, this earns top marks.
Udemy’s ethical hacking course teaches you how to identify, prevent, and secure systems without any previous experience. That's valuable if you want to learn about detection, malware, vulnerability assessment, and web application security. All important for information security consulting positions.
Note that more than 125,000 people have taken this course, and it earned 4.6 stars at the time of review. It's also a good way to earn an ethical hacking certificate.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: Wireless adapter that supports monitor mode
- Instructor: Zaid Sabih (zSecurity)
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 16 hours (self-paced video content)
2. [Coursera] Penetration Testing, Incident Response, and Forensics
Why we chose this course
This IBM ethical hacking online course focuses on penetration testing and different processes to go through as an ethical hacker after an attack. It goes into specific detail about forensics and prevention just as much as it focuses on the attacking part.
It also helps you understand scripting and the role of a systems analyst and ethical hackers. It is part of the full specialization on ethical hacking on Coursera, but you can go through this one standalone too.
Looking for work as a cybersec consultant? You'll need to be able to identify a ddos attack and other common cyber threats. That's one key takeaway you earn from IBM's certification course on ethical hacking.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: Wireless network card
- Instructor: IBM Security Learning Services
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 16 hours (self-paced video content)
3. [Udacity] Ethical Hacking Nanodegree Program
Why we chose this course
This Udacity nanodegree program focuses on all the basic knowledge of ethical hacking. It covers threat modeling, risk assessment, and cybersecurity best practices.
This ethical hacker course also goes into the different tools and techniques you will need to know to perform as an ethical hacker and get ahead of the curve. It also covers the final step of testing, where students will have a final project, and you will receive feedback from an industry expert.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Industry Experts
- Level: Intermediate
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 4 months (10 hours/week) self-paced video content
4. [CodeCademy] Introduction To Ethical Hacking
Why we chose this course
This introductory course is a mixture of articles, lessons, and quiz-based learning that helps you learn everything from introductory concepts to cloud computing and more.
You'll learn defensive and evasive techniques and see how an ethical hacker works daily. This course also dives into ethical hacking via cryptography and packet sniffing and goes through these concepts with demo-based learning.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: CodeCademy
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 6 hours (self-paced video content)
5. [Edureka] Certified Ethical Hacking Course - CEH v12
Why we chose this course
This is an official partnership-led course between EC-Council and Edureka, which is ideal if you're looking to clear the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH v12 certification.
This course covers concepts like hijacking, cryptography, session hijacking, pen-testing, and more. This rigorous course helps you train yourself to meet any challenge you encounter in your career and helps you gain a solid foundation in security tips.
This course also provides access to a hands-on practice platform and uses a cohort-based approach over 5 weeks.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Edureka
- Level: Intermediate-Advanced
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 40 hours (video content)
- 6. [LinkedIn Learning] Ethical Hacking Course
Why we chose this course
The LinkedIn hacking class is an ethical hacking path comprised of 19 courses and nearly 30 hours of content. That packs a major value into a single platform, and it’s the main reason we chose to include it in our list of best ethical hacking courses.
Students learn from industry experts, including Malcolm Shore, Lisa Block, Daniel Lachance, and Stephanie Domas. If you choose to follow the path in order, you learn reconnaissance and vulnerability tracking first. Then you advance to DoS attacks, honeypots, and how to hack wireless networks.
This learning path also covers operating systems, cryptography, cloud vulnerabilities, and SQL injections. Note that there’s also a LinkedIn badge of completion to show off on your social media profiles.
Students who prefer to learn from a variety of experts on a variety of topics may prefer LinkedIn Learning’s ethical hacking course over the others in our list.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Lisa Bock, Malcolm Shore, Luciano Ferrari, Stephanie Domas, Dan Lachance
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 30 hours (self-paced video content)
7. [MIT Management Executive Education] Cybersecurity For Managers: A Playbook
Why we chose this course
Introduced by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this ethical hacking training has been explicitly created for decision-makers and executives. It comes with a simple playbook so executives can create a high-end cybersecurity framework for the security of business operations.
Students also get access to specific defense techniques that will help them build advanced cybersecurity frameworks that meet industry standards. It is a bit pricey, but it comes from one of the best institutions in the world.
Also, check out this Cybersecurity Fundamentals course, which qualifies students for the IBM Cybersecurity Fundamentals Professional Certificate.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Stuart Madnick
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 36 hours (self-paced video content)
- 8. [Udacity] Ethical Hacking Nanodegree Program
Why we chose this course
This ethical hacking course is a great option for working professionals who want to switch career tracks and have some foundational concepts of Linux and networking.
The course starts with a basic introduction to ethical hacking but focuses in-depth on pen-testing and red teaming operations.
Like all other nanodegree structured courses from Udacity, this course also offers mentor support, real-world industry projects, and career support, making it a contender for the best hacking course online.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: Linux, Networking, and Programming
- Instructor: Sagar Bansal, Paul Oyelakin
- Level: Intermediate-Advanced
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 80 hours (video content)
9. [Cybrary] Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Course
Why we chose this course
This ethical hacking course allows you to learn from a high-profile Ethical Hacker, Leo Dregier. With an introduction to high-level topics comprising 19 modules, these ethical hacking classes detail the workflow that ethical hackers use for system hacking.
You'll learn about some of the fundamental attack mechanisms and testing methods. This course should give you a good understanding of how to approach testing and how to bolster security and consequently prepare you for any exams.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Ken Underhill
- Level: Intermediate
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 7 hours (self-paced video content)
10. [PluralSight] Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux
Why we chose this course
If you're looking for a way to use your knowledge practically, this ethical hacking course online is ideal as it goes all in on Kali Linux.
You’ll learn all the techniques you need to know, including information, gathering, network security external pen-testing, website penetration testing, network sniffing, social engineering, and more.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of ethical hacking concepts
- Instructor: Gus Khawaja
- Level: Advanced
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 6 hours (self-paced video content)
11. [INE] Penetration Testing: System Security
Why we chose this course
The best way to hack a system or get deep into anything, for that matter, is to understand how it works and the intricacies that keep it working.
This is primarily a pen-testing-focused course, but it goes through it with an approach that delves into teaching you the fundamentals and weaknesses of an x86 architecture system.
Simultaneously, this course also helps you prepare yourself for the eCPPTv2 exam. This course uses the following modules to teach you pen-testing and system security: cryptography and password cracking, shell coding, buffer overflows, and assembler debuggers.
These modules need you to have experience and background in computer science or electronics major and take you on the hacking path thereon.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: Knowledge of computer architecture and networking
- Instructor: Fabricio Siciliano
- Level: Advanced
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: No
- Duration: 13 hours (self-paced video content)
12. [Simplilearn] Ethical Hacking Full Course
Why we chose this course
You can usually find a lot of information on the internet for free, but when it comes to learning technical skills, you also need a reliable source. This is why we chose this free ethical hacking course, as it makes learning ethical hacking easy and straightforward.
As one of the best free ethical hacking online courses, you’ll learn all about the different types of fundamentals and techniques you would need to get into this industry. The course's best part is its supplementary knowledge of EC-Council exam preparation.
This course is ideal for people looking forward to developing ethical hacking skills and looking for career options as site administrators, IS/IT specialists, IT operations managers, and many more.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Simplilearn
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Free
- Certificate: No
- Duration: 7.25 hours (video content)
13. [The Cyber Mentor] Ethical Hacking in 12 Hours
Why we chose this course
This free course aims to teach you everything you need to know about ethical hacking as a beginner within 12 hours. You'll learn about what an ethical hacker does, network security, and how to get in and around it correctly.
You'll also learn how to use Kali Linux to get into systems, understand how to go over system privileges, and much more.
This course aims to help you learn the basics of ethical hacking, including hacking tools like Kali Linux, Python, Kioptrix, and others. You’ll also learn strategies like manual exploits and brute force attacks.
For a free course, this course offers max value for the time you invest in it, including setting you up to tackle a capstone project.
Key Information
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Heath Adams - The Cyber Mentor
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Free
- Certificate: No
- Duration: 12.25 hours (video content)
Book Recommendations from the Hacker Who Brought Down North Korea's Internet
If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of cybersecurity and hacking, there's no better place to start than with expert recommendations.
Here, we've compiled a list of book recommendations from the hacker who famously brought down North Korea's internet. These books cover various aspects of hacking, cybersecurity, and the ethical considerations involved in the field.
Check out the full list of recommendations in the article here.
Recommended Books
- "Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker" by Kevin Mitnick
- "Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin's Most Dangerous Hackers" by Andy Greenberg
- "Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon" by Kim Zetter
- "The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage" by Clifford Stoll
- "Hacking: The Art of Exploitation" by Jon Erickson
These books are essential reads for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of hacking and cybersecurity. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, these recommendations will provide valuable insights and knowledge to enhance your skills and understanding of the field.
For more detailed insights and further recommendations, read the full article.
Additional Resources
Final Thoughts
In 2024, organizations of all shapes and sizes continue to hire ethical hackers to test and analyze the security of their networks. And as an increasing number of corporations invest considerable sums into strengthening the safety of their software and hardware systems, there’s never been a better time to enter the field.
In this article, we’ve covered the 13 best ethical hacking courses online in 2024, with a range of options for beginners that are both free and paid. This means there’s bound to be something for you on our list to help you form the foundation for a lucrative ethical hacking career.
Looking to round out your hacking skills? Check out
The Best Cyber Security Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Ethical Hacking Course Worth it in 2024?
Ethical hacking is a profession that continues to grow quickly as we become more dependent on computers and the internet.
A 2022 report found a 61% increase in phishing attacks from 2021; it’s no wonder that many organizations will happily pay for skilled professionals to help them boost their security systems.
In 2022, the total security spend was $71.68 billion, and that figure can only be expected to grow in the coming years.
One of the best ways to take advantage of this demand is to not only familiarize yourself with modern security practices like Zero Trust, but to take one of the best ethical hacking courses to bolster your skills and stand out from the crowd.
How to Choose the Best Ethical Hacking Course
To help us find the best ethical hacking courses online in 2024, we considered the following criteria:
- Training offered: We looked for courses that provide comprehensive training in the fundamentals of ethical hacking and more advanced techniques.
- Instructor credibility: We ensured that the trainers/partners had the credibility to share knowledge on the subject.
- Instructor experience: We looked for trainers with practical experience in the field.
- Reputation: We read reviews from previous and current students.
Which Course Is Best For Ethical Hacking?
It’s hard to pick the best course for ethical hacking, as it depends on how much knowledge you already have, the particular topics you would like to study, and the quality of the course.
Each of the courses in our list is a great starting point, but we’d definitely recommend checking out Udemy’s Ethical Hacking From Scratch as an excellent ethical hacking course for beginners.
Whether you're looking to learn about the history of hacking, the technical aspects, or the ethical considerations, these books and resources will provide a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Can A Beginner Learn Ethical Hacking?
Yes, a beginner can learn ethical hacking. Many of the courses on this list are aimed at beginners without needing previous knowledge or skills. Look for resources that teach you about Wireshark, threat detection, trojans, and (of course) programming languages you may not already be familiar with.
Is Ethical Hacking Legal?
Yes, ethical hacking is legal. While the term might have connotations of malicious hackers, it really is just used to describe a set of cyber security practices to improve security systems. Think of it as using "hacking" techniques and knowledge to improve security.
Who Is Best Suited For A Career In Ethical Hacking?
If you enjoy problem-solving, have strong analytical skills, and are passionate about cybersecurity, you can have a successful career in ethical hacking. It also helps to understand coding languages like Java or Python, network architecture, and common security protocols.
How Can I Learn Ethical Hacking?
You have several options to choose from to learn ethical hacking, including the ethical hacking courses we’ve listed above and the best ethical hacking books. It’s often best to combine both approaches to help reinforce your learning.
Is Ethical Hacking A Good Career?
Yes, ethical hacking can be a very rewarding and lucrative career. As organizations become increasingly aware of the need for improved security measures and more stringent regulations, the demand for ethical hackers is rising. With the right training, you can secure a well-paying job with excellent growth potential in many companies.
How Much Money Can An Ethical Hacker Make?
The salary of an ethical hacker depends on several factors, including location and experience. However, with the right training and skills, ethical hackers can command average salaries over $100K.
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