Cybersecurity

Linux & CLI

Linux playlist + basic shell, files, permissions, processes, networking commands.

beginner

Networking

TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/S, ports, routing, sockets, common network tools.

beginner

Programming

Python fundamentals, scripting, files, sockets, HTTP requests, automation.

beginner

Web Security

HTTP, authentication, access control, injection, XSS, request manipulation.

intermediate

CTF Practice

Beginner → intermediate challenges; learn enumeration, exploitation and analysis.

intermediate

Binary / Systems

Linux internals, memory, binaries, debugging and exploitation concepts.

advanced

Cryptography

Cryptographic foundations, protocols, common primitives and practical attacks.

advanced

Continuous Learning

Latest-tech channels, write-ups, labs, projects and focused specialization.

intermediate

Linux

Command-line navigation, files, permissions, processes and basic administration.

beginner

Networking

The TCP/IP model and the role of IP addresses, ports and protocols; DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, TCP vs. UDP, routing, NAT and basic packet flow.

beginner

Programming

Python for automation, parsing, HTTP interaction, small security tools and challenge solving.

beginner

Foundation checkpoint

Before moving deeply into exploitation you should be comfortable using a terminal, navigating a Linux filesystem, changing permissions, inspecting processes, using basic network commands, reading HTTP traffic, and writing small Python scripts.

beginner

TryHackMe

Guided, beginner-friendly learning paths and practical rooms. Good for building a structured foundation.

beginner

OverTheWire Wargames

Game-style exercises that build command-line, Linux and security problem-solving skills.

beginner

PortSwigger Web Security Academy

Free interactive web-security labs covering major web vulnerabilities and techniques.

intermediate

pwn.college

Hands-on security education with a strong focus on low-level systems and exploitation concepts.

advanced

CyLab Academy

Formerly known as picoCTF.

intermediate

CTFlearn

Capture-the-flag challenges across categories; useful for practicing problem solving.

intermediate

CryptoHack

Interactive cryptography challenges, useful once basic programming and mathematical foundations are in place.

advanced

Linux / Enumeration

Files, permissions, processes, services, basic network enumeration.

beginner

Web

HTTP, sessions, authentication, access control, input handling, common web vulnerabilities.

intermediate

Crypto

Encoding vs encryption, modular arithmetic, hashes, classical and modern primitives.

advanced

Reverse Engineering

Program behavior, assembly basics, debugging, static/dynamic analysis.

advanced

Binary / Pwn

Memory layout, stack/heap concepts, debugging and exploitation in controlled labs.

advanced

Forensics

Files, metadata, logs, packet captures and artifact analysis.

intermediate

CTF-focused channels

CTF-focused explanations, walkthrough-style learning and exposure to challenge-solving approaches.

intermediate

PortSwigger Web Security Academy

Use the labs systematically. Suggested sequence: HTTP basics → authentication/access control → injection → client-side issues → advanced topics.

intermediate

Core concepts to understand

Requests, responses, headers, cookies, sessions, authentication vs. authorization, access control, input validation, injection, and client-side vs. server-side behavior.

intermediate

Foundations of Cryptography — NPTEL / IIIT Bangalore

Course by Prof. Ashish Choudhury.

advanced

Network Security — NPTEL

Course by Prof. Gaurav S. Kasbekar. Useful for connecting cryptographic ideas with network-security applications.

advanced

CryptoHack

Pair coursework with interactive challenges to reinforce concepts.

advanced

NetworkChuck

Use as an accessible source for networking, infrastructure and current technology topics.

beginner

NFSU CyberSecurity Study Material

A supplementary self-study repository. Treat it as a reference library rather than a linear curriculum.

intermediate

How to keep learning

Follow one structured curriculum at a time; learn the concept, reproduce it in a lab, solve a challenge, write a short summary, and build small projects.

intermediate

Weeks 1–2

CLI, filesystem, permissions, processes, text processing, basic shell scripting.

beginner

Weeks 3–4

TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/S, ports, routing, packet flow; basic troubleshooting.

beginner

Weeks 5–6

Syntax, files, modules, requests, sockets, parsing and automation.

beginner

Weeks 7–8

PortSwigger Academy labs; HTTP, authentication, access control and injection concepts.

intermediate

Weeks 9–10

OverTheWire + TryHackMe; solve beginner challenges without walkthroughs first.

intermediate

Weeks 11–12

Choose one: pwn.college, cryptography/CryptoHack, web security or CTF specialization.

advanced

I can use Linux comfortably from the terminal.

Foundation checkpoint — terminal, filesystem, permissions, processes.

beginner

I understand basic networking and can explain common protocols.

TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/S, ports.

beginner

I can write small Python scripts for automation.

Scripts for parsing, requests and sockets.

beginner

I can inspect and manipulate HTTP requests in a legal lab.

Burp / PortSwigger style request inspection.

intermediate

I have solved beginner CTF challenges across more than one category.

Multiple CTF categories attempted.

intermediate

I understand the difference between encoding, hashing and encryption.

Crypto foundations.

intermediate

I have completed hands-on labs without relying on step-by-step walkthroughs.

Independent lab work.

intermediate

I have chosen a specialization to explore next.

Pick a track: pwn, crypto, web or forensics.

advanced