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Cybersecurity Attacks (Red Team Activity)

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Based on 247 ratings
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Packt Publishing

There is only way to become really good at cybersecurity: you must know both how to attack and how to defend. First of all, you have to learn to think like a hacker, so you deeply understand what the threats are. Then you’ll need to know how to protect yourself from the attacks. We start with precise descriptions and examples of network attacks to show you how the malicious hackers can break into your network—and what harm they can do. Then we’ll look at another attack vector: websites and web-applications. You’ll see the most vulnerable places and understand what cybercriminals will do if they find them.Then we’ll discover the third vector of attacks: humans.Refined hackers know how to hack a human brain first to hack digital assets. You’ll find out what social engineering, phishing, and spear-phishings, and why they’re becoming especially dangerous today.By the end of this course, you’ll be able to locate all your vulnerabilities and remediate them before malicious hackers find and exploit them

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There is only way to become really good at cybersecurity: you must know both how to attack and how to defend. First of all, you have to learn to think like a hacker, so you deeply understand what the threats are. Then you’ll need to know how to protect yourself from the attacks. We start with precise descriptions and examples of network attacks to show you how the malicious hackers can break into your network—and what harm they can do. Then we’ll look at another attack vector: websites and web-applications. You’ll see the most vulnerable places and understand what cybercriminals will do if they find them.Then we’ll discover the third vector of attacks: humans.Refined hackers know how to hack a human brain first to hack digital assets. You’ll find out what social engineering, phishing, and spear-phishings, and why they’re becoming especially dangerous today.By the end of this course, you’ll be able to locate all your vulnerabilities and remediate them before malicious hackers find and exploit them

About the Author

Sergii Nesterenko is Information Security Consultant and Penetration Tester with 20 years’ experience in the information security and 6 years’ in the cybersecurity field. He consults international business companies, military staff, NGOs, politicians, Members of Parliament, law enforcement, and other VIP on security issues. His wide knowledge in information technologies and human psychology let him elaborate effective technologies to prevent and overcome most cunning cyberattacks. He has also known for his publications and lectures on cybersecurity, anti-fraud, and counter-cyberespionage issues.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • See different types of cyber attacks, how they are executed, and to provide vulnerability assessment
  • Explore the technology of cyber espionage and quickly discover upcoming cyber attacks
  • Use kali linux, metasploit, owasp zap, burpsuite, maltego, and a lot of other first-class tools for ethical hacking
  • Deal with hackers that manipulate the human mind and behaviour to break into your assets
  • See how email and social media accounts can become your enemy
  • Know how cybercriminals can control your browser and what they can do with it
  • See how sql injection and xss play a vital role in the modern cybersecurity field and why they’re so dangerous
  • Use python for penetration testing

Syllabus

In this video, we are going to install Metasploitable 2 as our main target virtual machine and get acquainted with its applications. Also we will install Windows 7 as the secondary target virtual machine.

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This video provides an overview of the entire course.

In this video, we are going to know what Kali Linux is and why using it is the best and fastest way to become a cybersecurity pro.

In this video, we are going to install Kali Linux as virtual machine and run it for the first time.

In this video, we are going to know nuts and bolts of Kali Linux interface and how to run it for easy use.

In this video, we are going to learn how to use Kali terminal and its commands necessary to know for this course.

In this video, we are going to tune up Python correctly for the course purposes.

In this video, we will consider the variety of ways a network can be attacked and categorize them.

In this video, we will learn how to scan a target with Nmap for finding open ports and fingerprinting.

In this video, we will know how to find vulnerabilities in a network with an OpenVas scanner.

In this video, we will discover how to use Wireshark for sniffing a network to intercept user’s data.

In this video, we will know about what is man-in-the-middle attack and what harm can be done with it.

In this video, we will learn about variety of dangerous browser attacks with BeEf framework.

In this video, we will discover how to set a reverse on target computer using Metasploit framework.

In this video, we will find out what is persistent backdoor and how it can be installed on target machine.

In this video, we will consider using Python language in cybersecurity field and create flexible Portscanner with Python script.

In this video, we discover how to find vulnerabilities in a web-application using a browser only.

In this video, we get to know OWASP ZAP scanner and learn to find vulnerabilities with automated scanning.

In this video, we learn SQL injection attack and its purposes.

In this video, we discover how to test a web-application for SQL injection vulnerability.

In this video, we learn to exploit SQL injection to extract credentials from database with SQLmap.

In this video, we learn how to execute proxy attack using Burp Suite.

In this video, we get to know with session hijacking attack and demonstrate how cookies can be stolen.

In this video, we will learn Cross Site Scripting and execute stored XSS attack.

In this video, we discover details about another type of XSS attack – reflected XSS and how it’s executed.

In this video, we will learn why and when using Python scripts is
useful. In addition, we create and run Python script for XSS testing.

In this video, we will learn about social engineering and become aware why attacking humans often more effective than attacking computers.

In this video, we will get acquainted with Social Engineering Toolkit and get hands-on experience of making a phishing email

In this video, we will learn to make a malicious payload for a phishing email.

In this video, we will know how malicious USB is created.

In this video, we will learn about whaling kind of cyberattack targeted at VIP and techniques using in spear-phishing attacks.

In this video we will get to know with Maltego framework and find out how to extract e-mails and phone numbers from the Internet assets

In this video, we get to know with session hijacking attack and demonstrate how cookies can be stolen.In this video, we will learn OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) techniques to extract information from social media.

In this video, we will learn why and how cybercriminals use psychological manipulation techniques to influence their victims.

In this video, we will learn a few hacking techniques that don’t require neither special tools nor direct contact with a target.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses Kali Linux, Metasploit, and BurpSuite, which are standard tools in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
Explores social engineering, phishing, and spear-phishing, which are critical aspects of understanding modern cyber threats
Covers network attacks, web application vulnerabilities, and human-oriented attacks, providing a comprehensive overview of attack vectors
Includes hands-on experience with tools like Nmap, OpenVas, and Wireshark, which are essential for network scanning and analysis
Features Metasploitable 2 and Windows 7 as target virtual machines, which may be outdated for simulating current real-world environments
Requires installing and configuring Kali Linux, Metasploitable 2, and Windows 7, which may require some technical proficiency

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Reviews summary

Practical red team cyber attack overview

According to learners, this course provides a practical, hands-on introduction covering various cyber attack vectors, including network, web, and human-centric methods. Students particularly appreciate the extensive use of tools like Kali Linux, Metasploit, and BurpSuite, finding the demonstrations helpful for understanding real-world attacks. While many highlight the instructor's expertise and clear explanations, some note challenges with setting up the lab environment and suggest the course could benefit from more in-depth theoretical background or updates to keep tools current.
Some want more theory, others praise practice.
"Could use a bit more theoretical background before diving into the tools."
"I appreciate the focus on practical application over deep theory."
"It's mostly practical demos, which is good for seeing how things work."
Course covers network, web, and human attacks.
"I liked that the course covered different attack vectors, not just technical ones."
"It gave me a broad overview of how attacks are carried out."
"The sections on social engineering and OSINT were particularly interesting."
Instructor's knowledge and clarity are praised.
"The instructor is highly knowledgeable and explains complex topics clearly."
"His practical experience shines through in the lectures."
"I really appreciate the instructor's insights based on his real-world experience."
Hands-on use of Kali, Metasploit, etc. is highlighted.
"The course provides great hands-on demonstrations using Kali Linux and Metasploit."
"I found the practical examples with tools like BurpSuite and OWASP ZAP incredibly useful."
"Seeing the tools in action made understanding the attacks much clearer."
Some tools/methods may need updating.
"Some of the tools demonstrated might be slightly outdated now."
"A few techniques shown require updates to work with current systems."
"The core concepts are valid, but tool interfaces change quickly."
Challenges reported setting up virtual machines.
"Had some trouble setting up the required virtual machines for the labs."
"Getting the lab environment working was the most frustrating part for me."
"Instructions for the lab setup could be more detailed or troubleshoot common issues."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cybersecurity Attacks (Red Team Activity) with these activities:
Review Networking Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of networking concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for understanding network-based attacks covered in the course.
Browse courses on TCP/IP
Show steps
  • Review the OSI model and TCP/IP stack.
  • Practice subnetting exercises.
  • Research common networking protocols.
Brush Up on Linux Command Line
Improve your proficiency with the Linux command line. This is essential for using Kali Linux and other tools covered in the course.
Browse courses on Bash Scripting
Show steps
  • Practice basic commands like ls, cd, and mkdir.
  • Learn how to use pipes and redirection.
  • Write a simple bash script.
Read 'Hacking: The Art of Exploitation'
Gain a deeper understanding of exploitation techniques. This book will supplement the course material and provide practical examples.
View Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on buffer overflows and shellcode.
  • Experiment with the code examples provided in the book.
  • Relate the concepts to the attacks covered in the course.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice SQL Injection Attacks
Reinforce your understanding of SQL injection vulnerabilities. This will help you identify and exploit these vulnerabilities in web applications.
Show steps
  • Set up a vulnerable web application (e.g., DVWA).
  • Attempt different types of SQL injection attacks.
  • Use tools like SQLmap to automate the process.
Read 'Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking'
Deepen your understanding of social engineering tactics. This book will provide a comprehensive overview of the techniques used by attackers to manipulate human behavior.
View Social Engineering on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on elicitation and pretexting.
  • Analyze real-world examples of social engineering attacks.
  • Consider how to defend against these attacks.
Write a Blog Post on a Recent Cyber Attack
Solidify your knowledge by researching and explaining a real-world cyber attack. This will improve your understanding of attack vectors and mitigation strategies.
Show steps
  • Research a recent cyber attack (e.g., ransomware attack).
  • Analyze the attack vector and the vulnerabilities exploited.
  • Write a blog post explaining the attack and its impact.
Build a Home Lab for Penetration Testing
Create a safe environment to practice penetration testing techniques. This will allow you to experiment with different tools and attacks without risking real-world systems.
Show steps
  • Set up a virtualized environment (e.g., VirtualBox).
  • Install Kali Linux and Metasploitable 2.
  • Configure the network settings for the lab.
  • Practice different penetration testing techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Cybersecurity Attacks (Red Team Activity) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester's job is to assess the security of computer systems, networks, and applications by simulating attacks. To be a successful Penetration Tester, one has to know how to think like a hacker, deeply understanding threats and vulnerabilities. This course helps those wishing to become Penetration Testers by providing precise examples of network attacks, showing how malicious actors can break into networks, and demonstrating the potential harm. This course may be useful because it also explores website and web-application vulnerabilities using tools such as Kali Linux, Metasploit, and BurpSuite, all of which are essential for effective penetration testing which helps build a foundation to a successful career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester
Vulnerability Analyst
Vulnerability Analysts scan systems and networks for weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers. Given that this course focuses on vulnerability assessment and ethical hacking techniques, it may be particularly well-suited for aspiring Vulnerability Analysts. The course provides hands-on experience with tools like Nmap, OpenVas, and Burp Suite, which are commonly used for vulnerability scanning and analysis. In addition, the course helps Vulnerability Analysts understand how to think like attackers, allowing them to identify vulnerabilities that might otherwise be missed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain network security infrastructure. The course, which provides hands-on experience with network attack simulations and vulnerability assessments, may be useful for aspiring Network Security Engineers. Through this course, they can get acquainted with Kali Linux tools demonstrated in the course to build and secure robust networks. This course will allow them to better protect their networks from malicious actors. Because they learn to think like a hacker, Network Security Engineers become better prepared to defend against real-world attacks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer
Application Security Engineer
Application Security Engineers specialize in securing software applications. A key part of their job involves identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in web applications and other software. This course has a section dedicated to web application attacks, including SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting which can be useful to those who take on this role. Methods using OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite taught in this course would be useful for Application Security Engineers because it provides hands-on experience with tools commonly used in application security testing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer
Security Analyst
Security Analysts monitor and protect an organization's systems and data. This course, teaching different types of cyberattacks and vulnerability assessments, makes it easier for Security Analysts to protect against those attacks. Furthermore, the course content on social engineering, phishing, and other human-oriented attacks would especially benefit Security Analysts, as these attacks can be difficult to detect with traditional security measures. This course helps Security Analysts understand how cybercriminals manipulate human behavior to bypass security controls. Therefore, knowing this information makes them better prepared to defend against such threats.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst
Cybersecurity Consultant
Cybersecurity Consultants advise organizations on how to improve their cybersecurity posture. They assess risks, develop security policies, and implement security solutions. This course may be useful for aspiring Cybersecurity Consultants because it covers a wide range of attack vectors, including network attacks, web application attacks, and social engineering attacks. This course will help one to understand the vulnerabilities that organizations face and recommend appropriate security measures. The syllabus provides practical experience with Kali Linux, Metasploit, and other first-class tools for ethical hacking, therefore making someone an effective Cybersecurity Consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Consultant
Information Security Manager
Information Security Managers are responsible for developing and implementing an organization's information security strategy. Managers benefit from a broad understanding of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, as well as knowledge of tools and techniques used by attackers. The course explores different types of cyberattacks, how they are executed, and how to assess vulnerabilities. This may be useful for Information Security Managers because it helps them make informed decisions about security investments and policies. The content on Kali Linux, Metasploit, and other ethical hacking tools can broaden an Information Security Manager's understanding of the threat landscape.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Manager
Incident Responder
Incident Responders are responsible for handling security breaches and other cybersecurity incidents. They need to quickly identify, contain, and remediate attacks. This course may be useful for Incident Responders because it covers various attack methods and provides insights into how attackers operate. The knowledge gained from this course can help Incident Responders better understand the scope and impact of incidents, enabling them to respond more effectively. The course's focus on vulnerability assessment can also help Incident Responders identify and address the root causes of security breaches.
See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security systems for organizations. To be effective, this role requires a deep understanding of potential threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This course, which covers different types of cyberattacks (network, web application, and human-oriented), may be useful for aspiring Security Architects. This broad overview enables them to design comprehensive security architectures that address multiple layers of defense. Exposure to Kali Linux, Metasploit, and other ethical hacking tools further enhances their ability to create robust and resilient systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect
Security Operations Center Analyst
Security Operations Center Analysts monitor security systems, analyze security events, and respond to incidents. SOC Analysts are the first line of defense against cyberattacks. The broad coverage of attack methods in this course may be useful to SOC Analysts. Learning how to identify and analyze malicious activity will make those who take on this role more effective in detecting and responding to threats. The experience with tools like Wireshark and Metasploit may allow SOC Analysts to investigate security incidents and understand the attacker's tactics, techniques, and procedures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Operations Center Analyst
Digital Forensics Analyst
Digital Forensics Analysts investigate cybercrimes and other digital incidents, often requiring a solid understanding of attack techniques and how attackers cover their tracks. This course, which covers various attack methods (network, web application, and human-oriented), may be useful for Digital Forensics Analysts because it allows them to reconstruct the events that occurred during an attack. The course's content on tools like Wireshark and Metasploit can also help Digital Forensics Analysts analyze network traffic and system logs to gather evidence.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Forensics Analyst
Cybersecurity Instructor
Cybersecurity Instructors teach cybersecurity concepts and skills to students or professionals. In order to teach others how to stay safe on the internet, they must know the ins and outs of common cyberattacks. This course may be useful for those planning to become Cybersecurity Instructors because it provides a comprehensive overview of various attack methods, defensive techniques, and ethical hacking tools. The course material can be adapted and used to create engaging and informative cybersecurity training programs. This allows Cybersecurity Instructors to confidently teach their students how to defend against real-world threats.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Instructor
Software Developer
Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. An understanding of cybersecurity principles can help developers write more secure code and prevent vulnerabilities. This course, which covers various attack methods, including SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting, may be useful for Software Developers. Software Developers can apply this knowledge to implement security best practices and mitigate vulnerabilities in their code. By understanding how attackers exploit weaknesses in software, developers can build more robust and resilient applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officers ensure that an organization follows relevant laws and regulations, including those related to data privacy and security. To effectively assess and manage compliance risks, Compliance Officers need to understand the cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities that organizations face. This course, which covers various attack methods and vulnerability assessments, would be useful for Compliance Officers because it allows them to assess the effectiveness of an organization's security controls. The course's coverage of social engineering and phishing attacks can also help Compliance Officers understand the importance of employee training and awareness programs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer
Chief Information Security Officer
Chief Information Security Officers are responsible for an organization's overall cybersecurity strategy and risk management. These executive-level managers require a broad understanding of the threat landscape, as well as the technical and managerial aspects of cybersecurity. While a CISO typically requires many years of experience and often an advanced degree, this course may be useful for those aspiring to become CISOs because it provides a comprehensive overview of various attack methods, defensive techniques, and ethical hacking tools. This, in conjunction with experience, can help them make informed decisions about security investments and policies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Cybersecurity Attacks (Red Team Activity).
Cover image
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition
Save
Provides a deep dive into exploitation techniques. It covers topics like buffer overflows, shellcode, and network sniffing. It valuable resource for understanding the underlying mechanisms of many cyber attacks. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition
Paperback
Check
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Social Engineering
Save
Delves into the psychology and techniques behind social engineering attacks. It provides insights into how attackers manipulate human behavior to gain access to systems and information. It valuable resource for understanding the human element of cybersecurity. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
Social Engineering
Paperback
Check
Social Engineering
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
3.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Packt Publishing
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses Kali Linux, Metasploit, and BurpSuite, which are standard tools in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
Explores social engineering, phishing, and spear-phishing, which are critical aspects of understanding modern cyber threats
Covers network attacks, web application vulnerabilities, and human-oriented attacks, providing a comprehensive overview of attack vectors
Includes hands-on experience with tools like Nmap, OpenVas, and Wireshark, which are essential for network scanning and analysis
Features Metasploitable 2 and Windows 7 as target virtual machines, which may be outdated for simulating current real-world environments
Requires installing and configuring Kali Linux, Metasploitable 2, and Windows 7, which may require some technical proficiency
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