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In today’s digital age, ethical hacking is one of the most in-demand skills. Cybersecurity professionals, penetration testers, and ethical hackers use various platforms to sharpen their abilities, discover vulnerabilities, and stay updated on the latest cyber threats. If you’re an aspiring hacker or security expert, here are the Top 10 Hacking Websites that can help you learn legally and ethically.
1. Hack The Box — hackthebox.com
Hack The Box (HTB) is one of the most popular online platforms for learning ethical hacking and penetration testing through hands-on practice. It offers a wide range of virtual machines and realistic hacking labs that simulate real-world security scenarios.
Users can test their skills by exploiting vulnerabilities, solving Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, and participating in competitive hacking events. HTB caters to both beginners and advanced hackers, providing guided learning paths, career-oriented courses, and certification programs.
It’s widely used by cybersecurity enthusiasts, students, and professionals to sharpen their hacking skills legally and safely.
2. TryHackMe — tryhackme.com
TryHackMe is a gamified cybersecurity learning platform designed for beginners and professionals to learn ethical hacking, penetration testing, and security skills through interactive labs.
It offers guided learning paths, step-by-step tutorials, and virtual rooms where users can practice real-world hacking scenarios in a safe environment. The platform covers topics like web exploitation, network security, cryptography, and digital forensics.
With both free and premium options, TryHackMe is ideal for self-paced learning and is widely used by students, cybersecurity enthusiasts, and professionals preparing for certifications and security careers.
3. Cybrary — cybrary.it
Cybrary is an online learning platform that provides cybersecurity, IT, and ethical hacking training for individuals and organizations. It offers a mix of free and paid courses covering topics like penetration testing, network defense, cloud security, and digital forensics.
The platform features structured career paths, skill assessments, hands-on labs, and certifications that help learners build practical, job-ready skills. Cybrary is widely used by students, IT professionals, and security teams to stay updated on the latest threats and defense strategies.
Its flexible, self-paced learning approach makes it a go-to resource for anyone aiming to advance their career in cybersecurity.
4. Exploit Database — exploit-db.com
Exploit Database (Exploit-DB) is a comprehensive public repository of exploits, vulnerabilities, and security research maintained by Offensive Security. It serves as a valuable resource for penetration testers, ethical hackers, and security researchers to study and understand real-world vulnerabilities.
The database includes proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits, shellcode, and security tools, along with detailed vulnerability reports. It also features the Google Hacking Database (GHDB), which lists advanced search queries to uncover sensitive information.
Exploit-DB is widely used in security assessments, penetration testing, and vulnerability analysis to learn how exploits work and how to defend against them — making it a must-visit site for anyone serious about cybersecurity.
5. OverTheWire — overthewire.org
OverTheWire is a popular platform that teaches ethical hacking, networking, and Linux skills through interactive wargames. These games present security challenges in a controlled environment, allowing users to learn by solving real-world-style problems.
The platform covers topics like command-line basics, cryptography, web exploitation, reverse engineering, and privilege escalation. Each game is structured in levels, and players must solve one challenge to unlock the next, creating a progressive learning experience.
OverTheWire is highly recommended for beginners who want to strengthen their technical foundation before moving into advanced penetration testing, as well as for experienced hackers looking to sharpen their problem-solving skills.
6. SecurityTube — securitytube.net
SecurityTube is an online platform dedicated to cybersecurity and ethical hacking video tutorials. Often referred to as the “YouTube for hackers,” it hosts hundreds of videos covering topics like penetration testing, network security, wireless hacking, and exploit development.
It’s a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced security professionals, offering practical demonstrations, conference talks, and research presentations. The platform is also known for its SecurityTube Certifications (such as the PWK and SWSE), which help learners gain credibility in the cybersecurity industry.
SecurityTube is ideal for visual learners who prefer step-by-step video explanations to understand hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies.
7. Root Me — root-me.org
Root Me is an online ethical hacking and cybersecurity training platform that offers hands-on challenges and Capture The Flag (CTF) exercises. It’s designed to help learners practice web exploitation, cryptography, reverse engineering, steganography, and privilege escalation in a safe, legal environment.
The platform has over 500+ challenges and multiple virtual labs, allowing users to test their skills on realistic scenarios. Root Me is used by students, penetration testers, and security enthusiasts worldwide to improve their technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
With its active community and variety of skill levels, Root Me is perfect for both beginners looking to start in cybersecurity and experienced hackers aiming to stay sharp.
8. HackerOne — hackerone.com
HackerOne is the world’s leading bug bounty and vulnerability disclosure platform, connecting ethical hackers with organizations to identify and fix security flaws. Companies like Google, PayPal, and the U.S. Department of Defense use HackerOne to crowdsource security testing.
Through the platform, ethical hackers can report vulnerabilities, participate in public or private bounty programs, and earn monetary rewards or recognition for their findings. It supports a wide range of security testing areas, including web apps, APIs, mobile apps, and infrastructure.
HackerOne is a go-to site for cybersecurity professionals and bug bounty hunters who want to apply their skills in real-world scenarios while getting paid and helping organizations stay secure.
9. CISA Cybersecurity Resources — cisa.gov
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a U.S. government agency that provides free cybersecurity tools, resources, and alerts to help individuals, businesses, and government entities protect against cyber threats.
CISA’s website offers security advisories, best practices, training materials, and vulnerability reports. It also provides incident response guidance, threat intelligence updates, and tools for securing networks, applications, and critical infrastructure.
Widely used by cybersecurity professionals, IT teams, and policy makers, CISA’s resources help improve national and organizational cyber resilience. It is an essential site for staying updated on the latest threats and mitigation strategies.
10. BleepingComputer — bleepingcomputer.com
BleepingComputer is a trusted online resource for cybersecurity news, malware removal guides, and tech troubleshooting tips. It covers the latest in cyber threats, data breaches, software vulnerabilities, and security research.
The site is widely known for its step-by-step malware and ransomware removal tutorials, making it a go-to for both regular users and IT professionals. It also hosts forums where users can seek help, share security advice, and discuss the latest cyber incidents.
BleepingComputer is ideal for anyone who wants to stay informed about cybersecurity trends while having access to practical tools and guides for protecting their systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Are these hacking websites legal?
Yes, all listed websites are for ethical hacking and legal learning purposes.
Q2. Which site is best for beginners?
TryHackMe and OverTheWire are highly beginner-friendly.
Q3. Do I need coding skills to start?
Basic programming knowledge helps but isn’t mandatory for all platforms.
Q4. Are these sites free?
Most offer free content, but premium subscriptions unlock advanced features.
Q5. Which site offers real-world hacking scenarios?
Hack The Box is known for realistic penetration testing environments.
Q6. Can I get a cybersecurity job after learning from these sites?
Yes, many professionals have started with these platforms and landed jobs.
Q7. Do these sites provide certifications?
Cybrary and TryHackMe offer certificates after course completion.
Q8. Is it safe to use these sites?
Yes, as long as you stay within the ethical hacking guidelines.
Q9. Can I participate in bug bounties?
HackerOne allows you to earn rewards by reporting valid vulnerabilities.
Q10. How can I improve quickly?
Practice daily, join CTF competitions, and learn from community discussions.
Conclusion
The Top 10 Hacking Websites mentioned above are excellent resources for anyone passionate about cybersecurity. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an expert refining your penetration testing skills, these platforms offer safe, legal, and hands-on hacking experiences. Remember, ethical hacking is about protecting systems, not breaking them — so use your skills responsibly. WhatsApp now for more information.
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