Best book to Learn ethical hacking

Most the student who wants to build their carrier in cybersecurity, but many of them do not find the right institute to teach them that particular skill adequately.

Many of them approach private institutes to be coached himself as an ethical hacker, and some of them want to learn in the traditional way from learning-by-the-book.

I often hear a question “which is the best book to learn ethical hacking and Penetration testing?”
And at the end of this article, you are going to find your answer.

That’s why I have divided it into three-level.

1. Beginner Level
2. Intermediate Level
3. Advance Level

Beginner Level

If you are new to Cyber Security or you just started your carrier in Cyber Security, then it is very important to know the following things:

• Basic Computer Skills
• Prior knowledge in Networking
• A good skill to operate Linux and Windows command line interface.
• These are few suitable books for beginners:

1. Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Guide

This book, covered with Hacker Defender Rootkit, Netcat, Fast Track Autopwn, Metasploit, Nessus, Nmap, Google Reconnaissance and Backtrack Linux. Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Guide is written by Rafay Baloch and was published in paperback format by Auerbach Publications in 2014.

This book cover with following:

• Introduction to Hacking
• Linux Basics
• Information Gathering Techniques
• Target Enumeration and Port Scanning Techniques
  
• Vulnerability Assessment
• Network Sniffing
• Remote Exploitation
• Client-Side Exploitation
• Post exploitation
• Windows Exploit Development Basics
• Wireless Hacking
• Web Hacking

2.  Mastering Hacking (The Art of Information Gathering & Scanning)

This book covers techniques, discovering all types of vulnerabilities, patching, and more. This book aims to provide the best practices and methodology in the simplified approach.

3. Kali Linux Cookbook by Willie L. Pritchett, David De Smet

This book cover with following topics:

• Up and Running with Kali Linux
• Customizing Kali Linux
• Advanced Testing Lab
• Information Gathering
• Vulnerability Assessment
• Exploiting Vulnerabilities
• Escalating Privileges
• Password Attacks
• Wireless Attacks

4. Cybersecurity - Attack and Defense Strategies

This book cover with following topics:

• Security Posture
  
• Incident Response Process
• Understanding the Cybersecurity Kill Chain
• Reconnaissance
• Compromising the System
• Chasing a User's Identity
• Lateral Movement
• Privilege Escalation
• Security Policy
• Active Sensors
• Threat Intelligence
• Investigating an Incident
• Recovery Process
• Vulnerability Management
• Log Analysis

Intermediate Level

If you already have prior knowledge of hacking then these are few books to follow:

 

1. The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook

This book cover with following topics:

• Web Application (In) security
• Core Defense Mechanisms
• Web Application Technologies
• Mapping the Application
• Bypassing Client-Side Controls
• Attacking Authentication
• Attacking Session Management
• Attacking Access Controls
• Injecting Code
• Exploiting Path Traversal
• Attacking Application Logic
• Attacking Other Users
• Automating Bespoke Attacks
• Exploiting Information Disclosure
• Attacking Compiled Applications
• Attacking Application Architecture
• Attacking the Web Server
• Finding Vulnerabilities in Source Code
• A Web Application Hacker’s Toolkit
• A Web Application Hacker’s Methodology

2. Hacking exposed™ windows®: windows security secrets & solutions

This book cover with following topics:

• Information Security Basics
• The Windows Security Architecture from the Hacker’s Perspective
• Foot-printing and Scanning
• Enumeration
• Hacking Windows-specific Services
• Discovering and Exploiting Windows Vulnerabilities
• Post-Exploit Pillaging
• Achieving Stealth and Maintaining Presence
• Hacking SQL Server
• Hacking Microsoft Client Apps
• Physical Attacks
• Windows Security Features and Tools

3. Android Hacker's Handbook

This book cover with following topics:

• Looking at the Ecosystem
• Android Security Design and Architecture
• Rooting Your Device
• Reviewing Application Security
• Understanding Android’s Attack Surface
• Finding Vulnerabilities with Fuzz Testing
• Debugging and Analyzing Vulnerabilities
• Exploiting User Space Software
• Return Oriented Programming
• Hacking and Attacking the Kernel
• Attacking the Radio Interface Layer
• Exploit Mitigations
• Hardware Attacks

Advance Level

If you already have good knowledge in networking, Linux security, Windows security, Linux Security, and Android security then need to advance your skills. At this level you need programming skill so follow these books:

Gray Hat Hacking: The Ethical Hacker's Handbook

Gray Hat hacking is available in various editions. The best thing is that this book is very advanced and easy to understand.

I suggest you all follow each edition.

Hacking: The Art of Exploitation

This book contains the following:

• Introduction
• Programming
• Exploitation
• Networking
• Shellcode
• Countermeasures
• Cryptology

Conclusion:

All these books are expensive. If anyone wants a sample to visit my Facebook page and download it from there.