Where to start with hacking

[Traitor4000]

Ok any advice on where I can learn the practical things about OS(s) for pen testing


ps. What is the plural of OS 

[Xires]

@Traitor4000; look up 'OS dev' and check out OS Dev Wiki.

Also, the plural for "OS" is typically "OSs" or "OS's".  The former is technically more English-correct but the latter is more common, but oft context-specific.  An apostrophe usually implies possession.  Example: "The OS's kernel is responsible for providing an API for software to interface with hardware resources."   This indicates that the kernel of AN OS, singular, has a responsibility.  This is in opposition to: "Many OSs provide a micro-kernel."  In such case, the subject matter involves multiple operating systems.  Many spell checkers may also insist upon "OSes", but it is not a de facto standard even though it may be considered de jure.  So, officially, "OSes" is 'most correct'[again, de jure], but "OS's" is 'most common', and "OSs" is an appropriate compromise as it is not a direct English violation nor ambiguous.

[Entreri913]

Thank you for this amazing guide! I am new to hacking and this made a lot of sense, right now i'm pretty much working on my scripting skills but I know quite about about networking analysis and hoping to move forward into more complex subjects. Once again thank yo u very much for this!

[BL@D3]

so which programming language is best to start of with am currently studying and practising C 

[Phage]

so which programming language is best to start of with am currently studying and practising C 

Why not just stay with C then?

[san1020]

Did anyone read this

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html

[chamelephon]

When you're on your way to becoming a great and fearsome hacker make sure to start building from the right foundation.
Don't wait to score big to build a new online identity. Everything leaves a trail these days and it's a must to start hacking while building a very good operational security routine.

1. Never mix your dark and public identity.
2. Never use the same computer for hacking and your social life.
3. Make sure to build the right environment to work with. Use operating systems like TAILS or Qubes and learn to use them instead of mainstream OSes.
4. Make sure to have a media-entry point which is not traceable to you.
5. Use vpns/proxies/shells/tunnels or whatever in as complex combination as possible.

and the most important of all : DON'T GET SPOILED OR LAZY OVER TIME.

Happy days.

[Packment]

thank you very much i though i am on the wrong directio when
i took computer science course, you open my closed doors now im
sure were im headng thanks alot

[DreX]

What about "system hacking" ( Computer security?)
Where would I start if I wanted to learn how to access someone elses computer, without them knowing, and be ale to go through their stuff???

[RedBullAddicted]

Thats a very broad question and I don't know why I answer it as you seem to be a one-time poster. I'll just give you a little list:
1. learn programming to be able to write your own malware (or at least to be able to understand the malware you downloaded somewhere)
2. Social Engineering (get your victim to do something he would normally not do)
3. Networking (as you want to have access to a machine you want to have access to the network in some way)
4. remote exploitation
5. If it is not targeted maybe something like XSS?
6. Operating Systems (you can't exploit something you don't know enough about)

In the end you won't come very far. Guess you will end up typing random commands in the metasploit framework you don't understand. You totally have the wrong mindset.

Cheers,
RBA

[Spectrum_963]

This tut was just great, god, THANK YOU. +1
But here's a question for you; (sorry if it's stupid, total n00b talking here) but despite the fact that all these branches in hacking take up so much time, energy and of course, memory, is it possible to pursue two very different ones? Thanks. :3

[Phage]

Do what you like, learn what you want to. Otherwise it's going to be a long ass road.

[fable]

Thank you. Although I have been a member of this site for a while I have yet to commit to learning more on this subject. I am going to be starting some reading immediately though. E-books here I come. I do have to say that even though this clears some things up the task of picking where to start is still daunting.

[Phage]

I might write an extended update to cover more things, and include some references.

[darkhawk_95]

Firstly thanks for this guide, really helped me to get started. I didn't know that hacking had lots of variations in it anyway, I'm totally interested in learning about penetration testing and forensics but I have no idea where to start and how to proceed about.

Status: Ultra nOOb (will learn quickly if guided well)....