What do you do if you're struggling to master penetration testing with the latest tools and technology?

start with Networking Fundamentals: • Learn TCP/IP and OSI model • Understand network devices and protocols • Familiarize yourself with subnetting and IP addressing Operating System Fundamentals: • Master a Linux distribution • Understand Windows and macOS fundamentals Programming Fundamentals: • Learn Python basics • Familiarize yourself with Bash scripting • Understand programming concepts Security Fundamentals: • Learn CIA triad • Familiarize yourself with security frameworks • Understand threat models and risk assessments Tooling and Technologies: • Learn Nmap basics • Understand Metasploit framework • Familiarize yourself with Burp Suite

In my experience, mastering penetration testing with the latest tools and technologies becomes significantly easier when you have a solid foundation in the basics. This includes comprehensive knowledge of networking, operating systems, and programming. Completing thorough courses, such as CompTIA, CCNA, provides this essential groundwork. No matter what new technologies emerge, they are fundamentally based on these existing concepts. With a strong foundational understanding, grasping new tools and technologies becomes much more manageable.

• Focused Learning: Break down complex tools into manageable parts. Focus on understanding one tool or technique at a time. • Practice Environments: Set up virtual labs or use platforms like Hack The Box for hands-on practice in a safe environment. • Community Engagement: Join forums, Discord channels, or LinkedIn groups where professionals share tips, tutorials, and real-world experiences. • Courses and Certifications: Enroll in structured courses or pursue certifications like CEH or OSCP for structured learning paths and validation of skills. • Mentorship: Seek guidance from experienced professionals who can provide insights and advice based on their own penetration testing experiences.

If you're struggling to master penetration testing with the latest tools and technology, here are a few suggestions that might help: 1. Practice. 2. Study Resources. 3. Join a Community. 4. Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenges. 5. Attend Workshops and Conferences. 6. Seek Mentorship. Remember, mastering penetration testing takes time, dedication, and continuous learning. Don't get discouraged if you face difficulties along the way. Keep practicing, exploring, and expanding your knowledge, and you'll gradually improve your skills.

Before exploring advanced penetration testing tools, establish a strong grasp of the basics. This involves understanding networking, systems, and common vulnerabilities. Enhance your foundational knowledge through online courses, textbooks, or hands-on practice in a home lab. Mastering these fundamental principles will facilitate easier adaptation to new tools and techniques in penetration testing.

Practice Regularly: • Set up a test lab: Virtual or physical lab to practice techniques and tools • Participate in CTFs: Engage in capture the flag challenges to practice skills • Use online resources: Utilize online platforms like Hack The Box, Cybrary, and Pentester Academy • Practice with vulnerable VMs: Use VMs like Metasploitable, VulnHub, and OWASP Broken Web Apps • Experiment with new tools: Stay up-to-date with latest tools and techniques • Learn from mistakes: Analyze and learn from failed attempts and mistakes

My advice here is to join a bug bounty program/community -- BugCrowd, HackerOne, etc. That's real-world practice for you and you are among the best in the community to learn from.

It is advisable to use so many good free online resources to practice. It might be tempting to jump into bug bounty programs but if you are new to pentesting and rules of engagement, it might be hard for you to break some rules. When starting out focus on your methodology. Use PortSwigger academy, TryHackMe, Offensive Security labs, Hack the Box, etc to practice your skills. If you get stuck, it is okay to look at write ups. It is part of learning.

En mi opinión lo fundamental es practicar. Monta entornos simulados en casa (máquinas virtuales preparadas) y auditalos. Así evitas problemas legales si practicas en entornos reales.

In my vision, Consistency is crucial for mastering any skill, especially penetration testing. Dedicate time each day or week to practice, using virtual machines or online ranges to simulate diverse environments and scenarios. Regular practice not only enhances your technical skills but also ensures you stay updated with the constantly evolving landscape of tools and exploits. This habitual training builds a strong foundation and sharpens your problem-solving abilities, making you a more effective and adaptive penetration tester.

• Find a mentor: Experienced penetration testers can guide and provide feedbackhecy. • Join online communities: Participate in online forums like Reddit's netsec community and Stack Overflow's security community. • Read blogs and books: Follow reputable sources like Hack The Box, Cybrary, and Pentester Academy. • Take online courses: Engage in courses on Udemy, Coursera, and edX to learn from experts. • Participate in bug bounty programs: Join programs like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or Synack to gain real-world experience.

Always reach out to other people if you feel stuck somewhere or just want to chat to someone. More likely than not people will help you out. One advise I will give is that, instead of messaging people on LinkedIn, join a community on Discord and reach out there. There are lot of people active on Discord that can help you out! Also, you can find a study buddy that will keep you motivated.

Online Resources: • Hack The Box • Cybrary • Pentester Academy • Udemy and Coursera courses • YouTube channels like Hak5 and Cybersecurity News Books and Documentation: • "The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing" • "Nmap Network Scanning" • Metasploit and Burp Suite documentation Communities and Forums: • Reddit's netsec community • Stack Overflow's security community • Online forums like Hackernoon and Darknet

• Follow industry leaders and bloggers • Subscribe to security newsletters and podcasts • Participate in online communities (e.g., Reddit, Stack Overflow) • Attend webinars, conferences, and workshops • Take online courses and certifications (e.g., OSCP, CEH) • Read books and research papers on latest threats and techniques • Engage in bug bounty programs and CTF challenges • Monitor vulnerability disclosures and patch releases

• Participate in CTFs: Engage in capture the flag challenges to practice skills in a simulated environment. • Take online certifications: Pursue certifications like OSCP, CEH, or CISSP to challenge yourself and demonstrate expertise. • Join bug bounty programs: Participate in bug bounty programs to practice finding vulnerabilities in real-world systems. • Experiment with new tools and techniques: Stay up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques to stay challenged and improve skills. • Learn from failures: Analyze and learn from failed attempts to improve skills and approach. • Set realistic goals and track progress: Set challenging goals and track progress to stay motivated and focused.

Os sugiero participar en retos online tipo Capture The Flag. Donde al resolver los problemas propuestos serás puntuado, pudiendo ganar premios o reputación.

While performing a pentest on an application, infrastructure/network, cloud or any if one can’t figure out or understand how it is built or how it works I doubt the effectiveness of the pentest performed. It's not always about being a master or a beginner. Sometimes, people choose to rely solely on famous persons approaches/tools to get cool findings rather than developing their own methodologies/tools after gaining clear knowledge and learning from others. The one who develops a tool or methodology often has a better understanding of it than those who merely use it. I believe networking with the right people is key here to discuss methodologies, share insights, and learn from each other. But these are not possible if one lacks consistency.

Don't use the tool create a tool,learn the behind screens concepts .start with how ssl works to how a proper handshake works. Start writing your own port scanner or write a honeypot and harden it up.then you can master it up