Web Security and Hacking for Beginners from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Recognize common website vulnerabilities and hackers exploit these weaknesses
Practice defensive coding for preventing attacks

Evaluate app security

Recognize common website vulnerabilities and hackers exploit these weaknesses
Practice defensive coding for preventing attacks
Evaluate app security

Syllabus

Day 1: Introduction

Hacking into One Month with Jon and Chris!

An Overview of the App We Are Hacking

Legal Disclaimer

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of common web vulnerabilities, making it a solid starting point for those new to web security

Teaches defensive coding practices, which is essential for developers looking to prevent attacks and build secure applications

Covers topics like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), which are highly relevant to web application security

Explores tools like Burp, Sqlmap, and Brakeman, which are widely used in the field of web security and penetration testing

Focuses on Ruby on Rails security, so prior knowledge of Ruby on Rails will be helpful for learners to get the most out of it

Features a section on keeping Ruby, Rails, and Gems up to date, which is crucial for maintaining the security of web applications

Reviews summary

Beginner web security and hacking overview

According to learners, this course provides a good foundation and broad overview of common web security and hacking concepts for beginners. Many appreciate the practical labs and hands-on activities, which help solidify understanding. However, some students found it challenging, indicating it may assume some prior technical knowledge beyond absolute novice level. A few recent reviews mention that some tools or examples feel slightly outdated, requiring additional research. Overall, it's seen as a strong first step into the field, though further study is needed for mastery.

A strong starting point, not the endpoint.

"This course is truly for beginners and is just the starting point."

"It's a great introduction, but you'll need more resources after."

"Good first step into the world of web security."

"I understand the basics now but know I need much more practice."

Good overview of common vulnerabilities.

"Covers a wide range of crucial web security topics for an intro."

"Gives a solid high-level view of different attack vectors."

"I got a great introduction to common security risks like XSS and SQLi."

"The syllabus touches on many important beginner topics."

Hands-on practice reinforces key concepts.

"The labs and demos were the most valuable part, applying concepts immediately."

"Working through the practical examples really solidified my understanding."

"Loved the hands-on approach; it wasn't just theory and slides."

"I found the practical exercises crucial for grasping the material."

Some tools and examples are outdated.

"Some of the tools demonstrated are not the latest versions."

"Had to look up alternative methods for some exercises as things have changed."

"The content is a good base, but feels a bit behind current practices."

"Some examples didn't work exactly as shown due to software updates."

May be challenging for absolute beginners.

"If you have zero coding background, some parts might feel overwhelming."

"It's beginner for security, but assumes some prior web dev familiarity."

"Found myself struggling at times without prior technical knowledge."

"I think you need a little technical background to fully grasp everything."

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 Web Security and Hacking for Beginners with these activities:

Review Basic Networking Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of networking fundamentals to better grasp how web applications communicate and how attacks are carried out.

Browse courses on TCP/IP

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Review the OSI model and its layers.
Study common network protocols like TCP, UDP, and HTTP.
Practice subnetting and IP addressing.

Read 'The Web Application Hacker's Handbook'

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Deepen your understanding of web application vulnerabilities and exploitation techniques.

View Ethical Hacking and Web Hacking Handbook and... on Amazon

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Read the chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
Try out the exploitation techniques in a safe environment.
Take notes on key concepts and vulnerabilities.

Practice SQL Injection Attacks on a Lab Environment

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Solidify your understanding of SQL injection by practicing different attack techniques in a controlled environment.

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Set up a vulnerable web application with a database.
Attempt different SQL injection techniques, such as union-based and error-based injections.
Document your findings and the steps you took.

Four other activities

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Write a Blog Post on a Common Web Vulnerability

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Reinforce your learning by explaining a web vulnerability in your own words.

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Choose a vulnerability covered in the course, such as XSS or CSRF.
Research the vulnerability and its impact.
Write a clear and concise blog post explaining the vulnerability and how to prevent it.
Publish your blog post on a platform like Medium or your own website.

Build a Secure Authentication System

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Apply your knowledge by building a secure authentication system that incorporates best practices.

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Design an authentication system with features like password hashing and salting.
Implement the system using a programming language and framework of your choice.
Test the system for vulnerabilities like brute-force attacks and SQL injection.
Document your design and implementation choices.

Study 'OWASP Testing Guide'

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Learn about web application security testing methodologies.

View CISO Survey and Report 2013 on Amazon

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Read the chapters on different testing techniques.
Apply the techniques to a sample web application.
Document your findings and the steps you took.

Contribute to an Open-Source Security Project

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Gain practical experience by contributing to an open-source security project.

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Find an open-source security project on platforms like GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Participate in code reviews and discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Web Security and Hacking for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Penetration Tester

A Penetration Tester, or ethical hacker, simulates attacks on systems to identify vulnerabilities. This course may provide a practical introduction to various hacking techniques and tools, which are directly applicable to penetration testing. You will learn how to use tools like Burp and Sqlmap, and how to perform attacks such as brute forcing, SQL injection, and cross site scripting. Understanding the vulnerabilities discussed in this course and practicing the exploitation techniques will significantly enhance your ability to find and report security flaws in web applications. The course focuses on practical hacking and defensive strategies, which are essential skills for penetration testers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Vulnerability Analyst

A Vulnerability Analyst identifies and assesses security vulnerabilities in systems and applications. This course may provide a solid foundation in web application security, enabling you to identify and assess vulnerabilities in web applications. The course will help you understand common web vulnerabilities, such as broken authentication, SQL injection, and cross site scripting. You'll also learn about various security tools and techniques that can be used to find and exploit vulnerabilities. The course's focus on practical hacking techniques and defensive strategies will be particularly beneficial for Vulnerability Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst

Application Security Engineer

An Application Security Engineer focuses on building security into the software development lifecycle. This course may equip you with the skills to identify and address vulnerabilities in web applications, a critical aspect of this role. The syllabus includes topics such as cross site scripting, SQL injection, and cross site request forgery all of which are exploitable vulnerabilities in web applications that this course will help you to review and evaluate. With a better understanding of hacking tools and defensive coding practices, you can design more secure applications from the start. You will also learn about OWASP and resources it provides, which are a major part of the application security world. The course focus on assessing and hardening code makes it particularly relevant for anyone seeking to improve application security.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Specialist

A Cybersecurity Specialist protects computer systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. This course may provide a comprehensive overview of web application security, a critical area of concern for many organizations. The course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to identify and mitigate web vulnerabilities, prevent attacks, and respond to security incidents. You will learn how to use various security tools and techniques to protect web applications against common threats, such as cross site scripting and SQL injection. The course's focus on practical hacking techniques and defensive strategies will be particularly beneficial for Cybersecurity Specialists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Specialist

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects an organization's data and systems from cyber threats. This course may provide a strong foundation in web application security, enabling you to identify and respond to web based attacks. The course will help you understand common web vulnerabilities, such as cross site scripting and SQL injection, and how attackers exploit these weaknesses. You will also learn about defensive coding practices and security tools that can be used to mitigate these threats. The course's focus on practical hacking techniques and defensive strategies, combined with its discussion of real world vulnerabilities, will be particularly beneficial for Information Security Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Architect

A Security Architect designs and oversees the implementation of security systems and infrastructure. This course may provide a deep understanding of web application vulnerabilities and how to design secure systems to prevent attacks. The course may equip you with the knowledge to design secure architectures that incorporate defensive coding practices, secure API design, and robust access controls. You will also learn about various security tools and techniques that can be used to assess and improve the security of web applications. Given its emphasis on defensive coding, threat exploitation, and security tools, it is highly beneficial for those aspiring to become security architects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Security Analyst

A Security Analyst monitors systems for security breaches and investigates security incidents. This course may provide a valuable understanding of web application vulnerabilities and attack techniques, which is essential for identifying and responding to security incidents. The course will help you recognize the signs of a potential attack and understand the attacker's methods. You'll learn about real world vulnerabilities, gain a strong understanding of security concepts, and therefore be better equipped to analyze and mitigate web security threats. The course content on hacking tools and techniques, combined with its discussion of common vulnerabilities, will be especially beneficial for security analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Security Consultant

A Security Consultant advises clients on how to improve their overall security posture. This course may provide a solid foundation for understanding web application vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them, a key area of concern for many organizations. The skills acquired from this course will allow you to assess the security of web applications, identify potential weaknesses, and recommend appropriate security measures. You will gain insights into common hacking techniques and defensive coding practices, enabling you to provide valuable guidance to clients on how to protect their web applications from attacks. Given the courses emphasis on identifying vulnerabilities and recommending fixes, it's highly relevant for anyone aspiring to work as a security consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

DevSecOps Engineer

A DevSecOps Engineer integrates security practices into the software development lifecycle. This course may help you understand web application vulnerabilities and how to automate security testing and remediation. You may learn about tools and techniques for identifying vulnerabilities early in the development process, such as static analysis and penetration testing. You'll also learn how to integrate security into the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI CD) pipeline. The course's coverage of web application security threats and defensive strategies, combined with its emphasis on automation, can be particularly valuable for DevSecOps Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevSecOps Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer builds and maintains websites and web applications. This course may enhance your ability to write secure code and protect against common web vulnerabilities. By understanding how hackers exploit weaknesses like cross site scripting, SQL injection, and cross site request forgery, you can implement defensive coding practices to prevent these attacks. You will also learn about secure storage of secrets and API security, which are crucial for building robust web applications. The course's focus on defensive coding and secure design makes it particularly valuable for web developers who want to build more secure and reliable applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs develops and tests software applications. This course may empower you to write secure code and mitigate common web vulnerabilities during the software development lifecycle. The course emphasizes understanding how hackers exploit weaknesses such as cross site scripting, SQL injection and cross site request forgery, enabling you to implement robust safeguards to thwart such attacks. You will also gain expertise in secure secret management and API security, both vital for building robust web applications. The courses focus on defensive coding practices and secure design principles makes it an invaluable asset for software engineers committed to building more secure and reliable applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Security Operations Center Analyst

A Security Operations Center Analyst monitors security systems and responds to security incidents. This course may provide valuable insights into web application vulnerabilities and attack techniques. The course may help you recognize the signs of a potential web based attack and understand the attacker's methods. You'll learn about common vulnerabilities, such as cross site scripting and SQL injection, and how these vulnerabilities can be exploited. The course content on hacking tools and techniques, combined with its discussion of common vulnerabilities, will be especially beneficial for Security Operations Center Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Operations Center Analyst

Information Security Manager

An Information Security Manager is responsible for overseeing an organization's information security program. This course may provide a broad understanding of web application security risks and mitigation strategies, which is essential for developing effective security policies and procedures. The course may help you understand the various vulnerabilities that threaten web applications, the tools and techniques used by attackers, and the defensive measures that can be implemented to protect against these threats. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about security investments and implement effective security controls. The courses coverage of web application security threats and mitigation techniques, combined with its emphasis on defensive coding, will be highly beneficial for Information Security Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Manager

Cloud Security Engineer

A Cloud Security Engineer specializes in securing cloud based systems and applications. This course may provide valuable insights into web application vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them in a cloud environment. The course may help you understand the specific security challenges associated with cloud deployments, such as securing APIs, managing access controls, and protecting data in the cloud. You'll learn about common attack vectors, such as cross site scripting and SQL injection, and how to implement security measures to prevent these attacks in the cloud. The course's coverage of web application security threats and defensive strategies can be particularly useful for Cloud Security Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Network Engineer

A Network Engineer designs, implements, and maintains network infrastructure. This course may enhance your understanding of web application security and how network configurations can impact security. While not directly focused on networking, the course may provide insights into how attackers can leverage network vulnerabilities to compromise web applications. You may learn about common attack vectors, such as cross site scripting and SQL injection, and how network security measures can help prevent or mitigate these attacks. The course's coverage of web application security threats and defensive strategies can be valuable for Network Engineers who want to improve the security of the network infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Web Security and Hacking for Beginners

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner web security and hacking overview

Activities

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