Reverse Engineering Essentials from Udemy

The aim of this course is to cover the essentials techniques and tools for reverse engineering and malware analysis. As the title suggests, we will cover only the Windows environment in this class, since it is by far the most used and abused. We try to provide a complete picture for the starting reverse engineer but in the same time relevant for the more advanced analysts.

There are always multiple ways to do a task. We will insist more on "Why?"s instead of "How?"s since we consider that it's more important to understand WHAT we're trying to achieve and WHY.

There are no pre-requisites for this class other that a Windows virtual machine and the will to learn. All the tools discussed here are freely available online. Analyses are demonstrated on a Windows 8.1 virtual machine.

Don't worry. Neither professional programming experience nor assembly language knowledge are required to benefit from the course. If you know these already, it would be helpful when we’ll look at identifying encryption algorithms and bypass anti-virtualisation checks. The concepts will be explained clearly and additional resources will be recommended.

Some programming experience will definitely be beneficial, however, the focus will be mostly on understanding the technique, the tools and their most useful features. When needed, source code written in C or Python will be provided.

To get the most out of this course, we recommended to try all the exercises and assignments that follow the lectures and whenever a concept or idea is not fully explained or clearly understood, either reach out with questions on the Q&A section or consult online resources.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to build a virtual environment for malware analysis
How to identify and bypass anti-virtualisation techniques
How to confidently use debuggers and disassemblers
Be able to analyse processes and perform low-level api monitoring
How to monitor changes to the registry and the file system

Learn how to intercept and investigate network traffic
Execute samples inside a sandbox, extract and analyse artefacts
Become comfortable with tools for static analysis
How to identify packers automatically and manually

How to build a virtual environment for malware analysis
How to identify and bypass anti-virtualisation techniques
How to confidently use debuggers and disassemblers
Be able to analyse processes and perform low-level api monitoring
How to monitor changes to the registry and the file system
Learn how to intercept and investigate network traffic
Execute samples inside a sandbox, extract and analyse artefacts
Become comfortable with tools for static analysis
How to identify packers automatically and manually

Syllabus

Introduction

Building a virtual environment

Setup

Setup Practice

Play with few VM detection tools and understand how they work.

Make your virtual machine resilient against being detected, using WMI and Registry tricks.

In this quiz we'll see how we can spot malicious processes using only Process Explorer.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers essential techniques and tools, providing a solid foundation for those starting in reverse engineering and malware analysis, especially within the Windows environment

Focuses on understanding the 'Why' behind reverse engineering tasks, which is crucial for developing a deeper understanding and problem-solving skills in the field

Teaches how to build a virtual environment for malware analysis, which is a critical skill for safely examining potentially harmful software

Includes hands-on exercises and assignments to reinforce learning and encourage practical application of the concepts and tools discussed

Explores techniques to identify and bypass anti-virtualization, which is a common challenge in malware analysis and reverse engineering

Analyses are demonstrated on a Windows 8.1 virtual machine, which may require learners to set up an environment that is different from their daily operating system

Reviews summary

Essentials of windows reverse engineering and malware analysis

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to reverse engineering and malware analysis techniques specifically for the Windows environment. Students praise its ability to guide beginners through foundational concepts and the use of essential tools. The course is noted for its focus on understanding the 'Why' behind techniques and providing helpful practices and assignments for hands-on learning. However, some reviewers mention that the materials and tools demonstrated can feel outdated, referencing older Windows versions, and that some prior programming or assembly knowledge is beneficial despite the course description stating it's not required, potentially making some sections challenging for absolute newcomers.

Practice labs and assignments are beneficial.

"labs are helpful."

"The step-by-step tool usage is clear. I learned a lot about process monitoring and sandboxing."

"assignments are good for testing understanding."

"recommended to try all the exercises and assignments that follow the lectures"

Introduces key tools and techniques effectively.

"covers the essentials techniques and tools for reverse engineering and malware analysis."

"Excellent foundational course. The step-by-step tool usage is clear."

"Covers the basics well. The focus on 'Why' is appreciated."

"Good overview, practical tools are introduced."

Provides a good starting point for newcomers.

"Great introduction, covers essential tools, labs are helpful. Good for beginners."

"As a beginner, this course was perfect. It assumes no prior knowledge and builds up step by step."

"Highly recommend for anyone starting out in RE or malware analysis. It demystifies complex topics."

"This course provided me with a good foundation to start learning reverse engineering."

Programming/assembly background helps despite claims.

"Practices were challenging without prior programming."

"If you already know some assembly or programming, you might be bored."

"Not enough hands-on coding examples."

"programming experience will definitely be beneficial"

Some content or tools may seem dated.

"Tools demonstrated are a bit old but concepts are solid."

"Very outdated, Windows 8.1 is irrelevant now."

"materials might feel a bit dated, but the underlying principles are still valid."

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 Reverse Engineering Essentials with these activities:

Review Assembly Language Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of assembly language, which is helpful for reverse engineering and malware analysis, especially when identifying encryption algorithms and anti-virtualization checks.

Browse courses on Assembly Language

Show steps

Review basic assembly instructions (MOV, ADD, SUB, JMP).
Practice reading and interpreting simple assembly code snippets.
Understand the role of registers and memory in assembly.

Read 'Reverse Engineering for Beginners'

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Reinforce your understanding of reverse engineering fundamentals with a beginner-friendly guide.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

Show steps

Read the introductory chapters on reverse engineering concepts.
Work through the examples and exercises in the book.
Focus on understanding the basic principles of disassembly and debugging.

Read 'Practical Malware Analysis'

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of malware analysis techniques, which are directly applicable to the course content.

View Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on static and dynamic analysis.
Follow the examples and try them on your own.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Practice Debugging with OllyDbg/x64dbg

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Improve your debugging skills, which are essential for reverse engineering and malware analysis.

Show steps

Download and install OllyDbg or x64dbg.
Load a simple executable and step through the code.
Set breakpoints and examine memory and registers.
Practice debugging different types of programs.

Write a Blog Post on Anti-VM Techniques

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of anti-virtualization techniques by researching and explaining them in a blog post.

Show steps

Research common anti-VM techniques.
Write a blog post explaining how these techniques work.
Include code examples or screenshots to illustrate your points.
Publish your blog post online.

Create a Yara Rule Set for Malware Detection

Show steps

Develop practical skills in malware detection by creating a set of Yara rules based on your analysis of malware samples.

Show steps

Research and understand the syntax and structure of Yara rules.
Analyze several malware samples to identify unique characteristics.
Write Yara rules to detect these characteristics.
Test your Yara rules against a collection of malware samples.

Analyze a Sample Malware

Show steps

Apply the knowledge and skills learned in the course to analyze a real-world malware sample.

Show steps

Obtain a malware sample from a reputable source.
Perform static and dynamic analysis of the malware.
Document your findings in a report.
Present your analysis to your peers.

Career center

Learners who complete Reverse Engineering Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reverse Engineer

Reverse engineers analyze software or hardware to understand its design, functionality, and potential vulnerabilities. This involves disassembling code, examining data structures, and tracing program execution to uncover hidden features or security flaws. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course focuses on providing a comprehensive introduction to the essential techniques and tools required for reverse engineering. You will learn how to confidently use debuggers and disassemblers, monitor process activity, and perform static analysis - all critical skills for reverse engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reverse Engineer

Malware Analyst

A malware analyst investigates and analyzes malicious software to understand its behavior, purpose, and potential impact. This role requires a strong understanding of reverse engineering techniques to dissect malware code and identify its functionality. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course helps build a solid foundation in essential techniques and tools for reverse engineering, perfect for aspiring malware analysts. The course's emphasis on the Windows environment, the most abused operating system, makes it a highly relevant starting point. You will also learn how to identify and bypass anti virtualization techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Exploit Developer

Exploit developers create code that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in software or hardware. Reverse engineering is a fundamental skill for understanding how to target these vulnerabilities effectively. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course provides the knowledge and skills required to analyze software, identify weaknesses, and potentially craft exploits. The focus on tools for static analysis, debugging, and disassembly is highly beneficial for anyone aiming to develop exploits. This course also teaches you how to monitor process activity and understand various anti-VM techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exploit Developer

Vulnerability Researcher

Vulnerability researchers proactively search for weaknesses in software and hardware systems that could be exploited by attackers. They use reverse engineering and other techniques to identify security flaws and develop proof of concept exploits. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course teaches you to analyze processes and perform low level API monitoring, along with monitoring changes to the registry and file system. These skills help vulnerability researchers find exploits, as well as how to identify packers automatically and manually.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Researcher

Application Security Engineer

An application security engineer focuses on ensuring the security of software applications by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities throughout the development lifecycle. This requires expertise in reverse engineering to analyze application code and understand potential attack vectors. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course helps these engineers build a solid foundation in reverse engineering techniques and tools, essential for identifying and addressing security flaws in software applications. The course's focus on the Windows environment is particularly relevant, as it is a common target for application exploits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer

Security Engineer

Security engineers are responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from threats. They design, implement, and manage security measures to safeguard data and prevent unauthorized access. A deep understanding of reverse engineering principles is essential for identifying vulnerabilities and developing effective security solutions. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course helps security engineers learn how to analyze processes, perform low level application programming interface monitoring, examine registry and file systems, and intercept network traffic. All of these skills could be valuable to a successful security engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers simulate attacks on computer systems and networks to identify vulnerabilities and assess security effectiveness. They use a variety of tools and techniques, including reverse engineering, to uncover weaknesses and exploit them in a controlled environment. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course teaches you how to identify and bypass anti-virtualization techniques. These skills help penetration testers operate in a virtual testing environment, as well as to become comfortable with tools for static analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Digital Forensics Analyst

A digital forensics analyst investigates digital evidence to uncover facts related to a crime or incident. Reverse engineering can be valuable in analyzing malware or other malicious code found on compromised systems. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course may be useful to digital forensics analysts in building a solid foundation in reverse engineering techniques and tools. The ability to analyze processes, monitor API calls, and understand file system changes can be helpful in piecing together the events of a cybercrime. This course also teaches you how to extract and analyze artefacts from a sandbox environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Forensics Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts monitor computer systems and networks for security breaches and investigate security incidents. They analyze security logs, identify suspicious activity, and take appropriate action to mitigate threats. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course will help you learn how to analyze processes, perform low level application programming interface monitoring, examine registry and file systems, and intercept network traffic. Additionally, you will learn to execute samples inside a sandbox and analyze artifacts. This would make you a better cybersecurity analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Incident Responder

Incident responders are called upon when a security incident occurs in order to attempt to quickly contain the threat and restore normal operations. Having a working knowledge of the methods and techniques employed by threat actors is critical. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course will familiarize you with malware analysis, reverse engineering, and anti-virtualization techniques. All of these are valuable for an incident responder to understand the techniques of threat actors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Security Consultant

Security consultants advise organizations on how to improve their security posture. They assess security risks, recommend security solutions, and help implement security policies and procedures. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course teaches essential techniques and tools for reverse engineering and malware analysis. This may be useful to a security consultant when recommending or explaining security protocols that mitigate reverse engineering and malware.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Software Developer

Software developers design, write, and test computer programs. While not a direct application, the understanding of reverse engineering can help software developers write more secure code and understand how their software might be attacked. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course teaches you how to harden virtual machines; this knowledge can be useful to software developers when creating installation packages. Furthermore, software developers may find it helpful to learn how to identify packers automatically and manually.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Technical Support Engineer

Technical support engineers provide technical assistance to customers, resolving hardware and software issues. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course teaches you how to analyze processes, perform low level application programming interface monitoring, examine registry and file systems, and intercept network traffic. This may be useful to a technical support engineer to understand the low level functionality of a computer system. This may also be useful when identifying the cause of a software crash or other issue.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Engineer

Cryptographer

Cryptographers research and develop new encryption algorithms to protect sensitive data. A deep understanding of reverse engineering is crucial for cryptographers to analyze existing encryption methods and identify potential weaknesses. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course will help you become comfortable with tools for static analysis. This may be useful to a cryptographer to examine and analyze existing algorithms and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cryptographer

Firmware Engineer

Firmware engineers design, develop, and test the low level software that controls hardware devices. They often work with embedded systems and must have a deep understanding of hardware architecture and software interaction. The Reverse Engineering Essentials course helps you become comfortable with tools for static analysis; this may be useful for firmware engineers who work in reverse engineering hardware devices. Additionally, this course teaches essential techniques and tools for reverse engineering and malware analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Firmware Engineer

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 Reverse Engineering Essentials.

Practical Malware Analysis

Save

Comprehensive guide to understanding and analyzing malware. It covers static and dynamic analysis techniques, debugging, and disassembly, which are all essential skills for reverse engineering. It provides practical examples and step-by-step instructions, making it an excellent companion for the course, especially for the hands-on exercises.

Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to...

Paperback

Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to...

Kindle Edition

Alter Ego

Save

Provides a gentle introduction to reverse engineering concepts and techniques. It covers topics such as disassembly, debugging, and code analysis. It is particularly useful for beginners who are new to the field and want to build a solid foundation. It good reference for understanding the basics of reverse engineering.

Alter Ego: A Novel

Paperback

Reverse Engineering Essentials

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Essentials of windows reverse engineering and malware analysis

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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