[ learn ] // knowledge base / zero → hero

The Learning Hub

A free, growing cyber security knowledge base. Follow the pathway from an empty computer to a fully working hacking lab — then learn how the pros test it. No prior experience required.

Welcome to the Learning Hub

Updated June 2026 Difficulty: Beginner → Intermediate Cost: Free

This is a hands-on, build-it-yourself knowledge base inspired by community references like HackTricks — but written for complete beginners. Work through it in order, or jump straight to the section you need using the sidebar.

New here? Follow the pathway top to bottom. Each section opens with an overview explaining exactly what you will achieve and why it matters.

The learning pathway

Everything you build connects together into one safe, self-contained lab on your own computer. By the end you will have an attacker machine and several deliberately vulnerable targets — all isolated from your real network and the internet.

1 · Build your lab→ 2 · Attack machine→ 3 · Target machines→ 4 · Methodology

Sections

01

Building Your Lab

Install VirtualBox and design an isolated network so your experiments can never escape into the real world.

 02

Your Attack Machine

Install Kali Linux, update and upgrade it, and configure it ready for testing.

 03

Target Machines

Deploy deliberately vulnerable targets — DVWA for web apps and Metasploitable for infrastructure.

 04

Methodology

Learn the repeatable, ethical seven-phase process professional testers follow.

Before you begin: the rules

Only ever hack systems you own or have explicit written permission to test. Everything in this hub is designed to run inside your own isolated lab. Attacking systems you do not own is illegal under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and can carry serious penalties.

Building your own lab means you can practise freely, safely, and legally. That is exactly what we are going to do.

What you'll need

  • A computer with 64-bit Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  • Ideally 8 GB of RAM or more (4 GB will work for a single VM at a time).
  • At least 60 GB of free disk space for the virtual machines.
  • Virtualisation enabled in your BIOS/UEFI (we'll show you how to check).
  • A reliable internet connection for the initial downloads.