(12-02-2015, 12:33 AM)aviationplaystation Wrote: Ethical hacking. I want to do penetration testing in my future because I heard it's actually a great living. I also heard you need all kinds of tools/programs to start out. I just want someone to say "Hey, read THIS book, start using this language, and progress to such n such from there...." Then I have direction.

(12-02-2015, 01:18 AM)m0dem Wrote: I recommend you start with Python. People may go flaming and say, "Python sucks for penetration testing."
Maybe they are right, but maybe not... that should be none of your concern.
You should just have a fun (and relatively easy) time learning at the beginning. It wouldn't be smart to start programming JUST for pentesting. You need to build a base.
I recommend the https://inventwithpython.com/ tutorials. Its what I used and it is free, fun, and great!
Take your time, and then after that you can begin learning the concepts of something lower-level. What I have learned is: once you learn one programming language in a niche (for example, High Level), you should learn one in another niche (Low Level) (not another High Level language).
Learn C++ or C and then try out assembly (I am on the C/C++ stage right now, almost to ASM! ). Learning the lower languages will be harder and more abstract at first, but you will catch on if you keep pushing forward.
I wish you good luck on your journey to become a True Hacker! You have started out on the right track.

(12-02-2015, 09:41 AM)aviationplaystation Wrote: This was very beneficial to me and my life, thank you friend. I'm going to check that site out after work

(12-02-2015, 09:23 PM)aviationplaystation Wrote: I really appreciate the responses from both of you. Seriously. This is more than just wanting to learn it, I actually have a passion for it. I just lack direction, I'm very hard headed it takes me a while to click with something but I will not give up and I really enjoy learning stuff like this. Every time something clicks I do a little dance XD seriously.

I do have questions. I was playing with Python at work today. Questions I've yet to find a clear answer to would be- Is everyone using OTHER programs to put their Python script together? Like a program to kinda make everything neat and ready for use? I want to start out making basic hacking programs, but I actually Don't want to test them even on my own computer, I don't want to mess something up. (that's possible, right?). So is there programs to Test your Python program and/or make it neat? Or is it souly done on Python- and TO your own computers....

Once again, I appreciate any and all answers. Even if you don't know, I love observing opinions. Going to get into the books tonight on Python. Hopefully I can click with at least 2 things tonight


ALSO , I'm running windows 8.1. I hate it. Had to add that, felt it might be relevant to any input.

(12-02-2015, 09:35 PM)m0dem Wrote: If you don't want to mess up your computer, then search google for: virtual computer
You can get a Linux OS for free and then set it up in VirtualBox (or your virtual machine of choice).
You might also be able to find some cracked Windows version (I don't recommend that though) if you need to run your script on a Windows platform. Or maybe you have a windows disk lying around

Btw: Your initiative sounds epic, you have already started learning Python!!
I love "clicks" too! (Do a dance.)

(12-02-2015, 04:50 PM)God Wrote: If you're interested in pentesting, a language for scripting would useful to begin learning. Eventually, it wouldn't hurt to learn C, C++, Java.. etc. A wide range of knowledge in programming languages will allow you to tackle problems from several angles.

But I believe Python and Ruby or both good beginner languages.

A good book to start with Python is http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Out-Python-3rd-Edition/dp/0133582736
You can attempt to find a free version, I know for a fact there's online pdf's available for an earlier version which offers mostly identical material. It really starts from the beginning. I know many books have some sort of assumed skills already, but this book makes everything very clear and concise to beginners. I recommend you complete the programs at the end of each chapter. Although it's a beginner book, many of the challenges at the end are pretty difficult and will challenge you. The book starts with basically a brief history lesson on computers and how they work, to setting up and using Python, to the very end where you are introduced to inheritance, recursion, and GUI programming with tkinter.

What many people won't mention, is pentesting goes beyond just technical skills. It wouldn't hurt to have a solid foundation on how businesses operate. If you want to make a career out of this you will most likely need to convince people of power that your services are valuable to their company. A good presence, solid presentation and persuasion skills, understanding businesses and how you should and can maximize effectiveness and efficiency for them will be invaluable.

You can also start playing around with a pentesting framework. You can do your own research and find a suitable one.

Bonus: Here's a link to free e-book downloads of different Python books. http://it-ebooks.info/search/?q=python&type=title
You can always search reviews for the books if you're unsure and be aware of the date it was published. Python 3.0+ isn't very old. Feel free to change the search field for books on penetration testing and frameworks. I even saw some books involved specifically with Penetration Testing in Python.