A question from a noob

[ftb]

First of all- Hello everyone

I have a question that I'm struggling with right now and believe that some of the posters on this forum would be more then adequate in shedding some light on the subject. In the near past, I have decided that I want to become *drum roll* a hacker. I know it's kind of a grandiose statement, but please hear me out.

At 1st I just toyed around with some basic functions like the "Inspect element" thing you have in your browser and was BLOWN away when I discovered that you can actually see the letters behind the '*' in the password login boxes. After that I started exploring and soon after, the realization dawned upon me that you can do a HELL of a lot more.

Please do not be fooled by my informal writing style- I bare no unrealistic expectations regarding this endeavor. My plan is devoting 3-5h a day for the next ~10years in order to master this area. I feel that I am in no rush to learn this since I actually enjoy doing this and treat it as my pastime activity.

Now, since my overall knowledge of computers is around average, the first course of action should probably be to 'get me up to speed'. I have spent ~30h researching and devised the following plan of learning for my self:

1) Understanding the basics of how the computer works
2) Understanding the Windows and Unix OS
3) Learning languages (in the following order): C, C++, php, html and finally assembly
4) Learning about and getting a strong knowledge base about networks (local and the internet)

My goal is, ultimately, being able to reverse engineer software, discover vulnerabilities
and become a 'white hat' hacker

So my question would basically be:

a) IYO, Is the learning course I have stated above valid ?
b) Is it possible to make this journey on your own- without a real live mentor and/or institutionalized assistance eg. a college?

And just as a side note:
c) I am 24yr old; Point blank: Do you think I am too old to start learning this from scratch?

[Pak_Track]

I loved reading that thread, I really did. You seem to be on the right path with the right mindset. But I need to correct you on a few things. You say you'll devote the next 10 years of your life to become a master at this game. The reality is, you must devote your entire life to it. A true hacker learns new stuff each and every day. Also you can never master this area. No matter how hard you try, there will always be someone better. You are a noob. You will stay a noob forever. Look at my signature and you'll understand. Snayler says, "The more you learn, the more you'll realize you know nothing." That's because the knowledge we have is only a fraction of the knowledge that exists. Which is practically infinite. So we have zero knowledge, no matter how much we know.

Now, for your Questions:

a) IYO, Is the learning course I have stated above valid ?
Yes, it is valid to get you to the bottom wrung in the field. The knowledge that all of us have. From there, you're on your own and have to keep learning till you die.

b) Is it possible to make this journey on your own- without a real live mentor and/or institutionalized assistance eg. a college?
Yes it is. Whatever we are, it is because of us, and us only. As Lucid said, "This is strictly DIY or GTFO.

c) I am 24yr old; Point blank: Do you think I am too old to start learning this from scratch?
You are never too old and never too young to start learning anything. You'll be learning till the day you die. Don't ever think someone younger than you can't teach you something.
Look at me, I'm 13.

[Snayler]

Hello ftb. I see this is your first time here, so it wouldn't hurt to leave an introduction on the Members Introduction board. This way we will know a little more about you, it's our way of "breaking the ice".

1) Understanding the basics of how the computer works
2) Understanding the Windows and Unix OS
3) Learning languages (in the following order): C, C++, php, html and finally assembly
4) Learning about and getting a strong knowledge base about networks (local and the internet)

My goal is, ultimately, being able to reverse engineer software, discover vulnerabilities
and become a 'white hat' hacker

So my question would basically be:

a) IYO, Is the learning course I have stated above valid ?
b) Is it possible to make this journey on your own- without a real live mentor and/or institutionalized assistance eg. a college?

And just as a side note:
c) I am 24yr old; Point blank: Do you think I am too old to start learning this from scratch?

From your post, you seem like you have the right mindset to learn hacking. So, to answer your questions:

a) Yes, it is valid. Some people might say that learning a lower level language first like C or C++ is like jumping off a cliff, but my first language was C and I feel like learning it first gave me the ability to adapt easier to higher level languages. Well, opinions...

b) Yes, and most of us learn on our own. Just be persistent and try to keep yourself motivated.

c) Lol! Don't worry, there's no such thing as "too old for learning".

Now, since you spoke of learning the basics, let me give you a link of a thread that may be of interest to you:
[Free] E-Learning Platforms

[ftb]

Thanks for the encouraging replies guys!

It can all get a bit confusing at first but its good to know that I'm on the right track. I got a bunch of resources lined up in my bookmarks so I guess I will be occupied for some time. Also, I have been skimming the forum and it seems to have a lot of neat content, hope I get to understand some of it soon.

Oh, and I'll get that introduction page set up ASAP.

Cheers!

[lucid]

As Daemon said, "This is strictly DIY or GTFO.

Eh hem..

[Pak_Track]

Oh shit. I just did a search and your name came up. Sorry for the mistake. I truly hope you won't sue me. 

/edited.

[lucid]

It's ok we can settle it outside of court.