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Here is a 2500+ word blog post on the best ethical hacking courses:
Ethical hacking has become an extremely popular and lucrative career path for many in the tech industry. As cyber threats continue to evolve, there is a huge demand for ethical hackers who can help organizations find vulnerabilities in their systems before the bad actors do.
In this comprehensive guide, we will compare the 10 best ethical hacking courses for 2023, whether you‘re just starting out or looking to take your skills to an advanced level. We analyze key factors like topics covered, teaching approach, instructor expertise, and value for money. By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to choose the perfect course for your goals and budget.
What is Ethical Hacking?
Before diving into the courses, let‘s clarify exactly what ethical hacking is.
Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or "pen testing," involves legally breaking into computer systems and networks to test their security. The goal is to find weaknesses and fix them before actual cybercriminals can exploit them to steal data or deploy malware.
Ethical hackers use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers but do so with permission from the system owners. They provide extremely valuable services by strengthening security through a hacker‘s perspective.
Some key qualities and skills of the best ethical hackers include:
- Expert-level knowledge of operating systems, network protocols, and programming
- Understanding of penetration testing methodologies and tools
- Creativity in approaching problems from an attacker‘s viewpoint
- Communication skills to explain technical risks and solutions to non-technical decision makers
- A sharp, analytical mindset combined with attention to detail
Many ethical hackers have additional certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or credentials in related areas like digital forensics or application security.
Now let‘s look at some top-rated ethical hacking courses to start learning.
The 10 Best Ethical Hacking Courses of 2023
1. Practical Ethical Hacking – The Complete Course (Udemy)
With close to a perfect 5-star instructor rating across nearly 15,000 reviews, this Udemy course by cybersecurity expert Jani Patokallio is easily one of the most popular ethical hacking courses available. It attracts legions of students thanks to its clear, engaging teaching style and sheer amount of hands-on information.
The content is structured around pen testing methodologies, starting by building your own virtual hacking environment. Core skills like network scans, password cracking, system hacking, and web app attacks are all covered in depth through real-world demos. Students rave about the tidbits and tricks Jani shares from his long experience in the field.
At 35+ hours of video lectures and resources, the course equips you with a very solid ethical hacking toolkit. You even receive certification of completion to validate your new skills. It‘s fantastic value given the volume of content and expertise on offer.
Key details:
- 35+ hours of HD video content
- Real-world labs and demos
- Virtual hacking environment set up guide
- Exam simulation to solidify knowledge
- Certificate of completion
2. The Complete Ethical Hacking Course (Zero to Mastery)
Created by Andrei Neagoie, The Complete Ethical Hacking Course takes a similarly comprehensive approach spanning 27 hours of video. It explores all facets of ethical hacking in sectors like cloud, network, web apps, wireless networks and beyond.
Andrei adopts a conversational teaching style that engages viewers as he demonstrates practical techniques. Students find the clear explanations easy to grasp regardless of their prior experience level.
A standout feature of this course is the dedication to future-relevant skills. You‘ll work through real pen testing scenarios in cloud environments like Amazon Web Services, learning to analyze infrastructure-as-code templates for security flaws. There‘s also coverage of AI-based attacks – threats expected to become more common over the next 5-10 years.
With access to an active Slack community of over 100,000 students and a convenient app to download course videos for offline viewing, this course makes learning as frictionless as possible. The knowledge you‘ll gain combines up-to-date ethical hacking techniques alongside the mindsets needed to stay ahead of emerging attack trends.
Key details:
- 27+ hours of HD video tutorials
- Real AWS cloud hacking demos
- Wireless networks and AI hacking
- Slack community forum
- Downloadable video app
3. Certified Ethical Hacker v11 (CBT Nuggets)
CBT Nuggets takes a slightly different approach by emphasizing the material covered on the industry-recognized Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification exam. Instructors provide a thorough grounding across all knowledge domains of the CEH, blending multimedia lectures with virtual labs for hands-on practice.
Rather than focusing specifically on pen testing tools and tactics, there is more emphasis on general cybersecurity foundations. Core topic areas span reconnaissance, scanning/enumeration, system hacking, attacks (malware, DoS, buffer overflows etc), cloud computing, cryptography and more.
If gaining an respected certification is important to you, CBT helps efficiently prepare you for the current version 11 CEH exam blueprint. The structured learning path simplifies an otherwise dense amount of information.
Note that CBT Nuggets has a subscription model starting at $59 per month rather than a one-time fee. However, there are options to use their free trial or only pay for single courses.
Key details:
- Aligns directly with CEH v11 exam
- Taught through video lectures w/ labs
- Covers full ethical hacking framework
- Virtual machines to practice hacking
- Option of earning CEH certification
4. Complete Ethical Hacking + Cyber Security Masterclass (Infinite Skills)
For those seeking an extremely comprehensive ethical hacking education, this Cyber Security Masterclass from Mike Chapple at InfiniteSkills Technology Training Videos deserves attention. It‘s one of the longest video courses out there at over 40 hours.
The first module provides complete ethical hacking training across all pen testing phases, similar to other courses. However, it then extends into more advanced evaluations like web app hacking, smartphone security issues, IoT device vulnerabilities, cryptography implementations and more. Extra modules even cover setting up a cybersecurity consulting business.
With so much content, the course naturally covers some topics in less depth than more specialized training. However, beginners or mid-level learners aiming to broadly skill up in cybersecurity would gain tremendous value from the full spectrum of knowledge areas addressed. Mike is an engaging, experienced instructor that keeps your attention across what could otherwise be an overwhelming amount of material.
The course frequently goes on sale far below its full listed price of $495. At any price point though, you access premium video tutorials unmatched in sheer volume. Paired with practical virtual machine assignments to apply techniques, it‘s a worthwhile investment for serious ethical hacking immersion.
Key details:
- 40+ hours of HD video tutorials
- Full ethical hacking methodology
- Web/mobile/IoT/cloud hacking
- Cryptography implementations
- Business consulting guidance
5. Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch (Udemy)
For those completely new to information security and looking for a true beginner-friendly ethical hacking intro, turn to Zaid Sabih‘s highly-rated course Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch on Udemy. With a 4.5/5 rating from over 275,000 students, it stands out for walking through foundational topics that others may gloss over.
Zaid breaks down core concepts around networks, servers, malware, cryptography, programming languages and more using plenty of animations, diagrams and real-world metaphors. He prepares you with the background security knowledge needed before diving into hacking tools so that you have the right contextual understanding. Technical prerequisites are purposefully kept low.
As your base knowledge develops, Zaid methodically introduces penetration testing steps along with popular software like Metasploit. Labs allow you to scan networks, harvest data and identifying system vulnerabilities in practice environments.
While the ~12 hour course length leaves room for more advanced coverage, it succeeds wonderfully in its intended purpose – turning absolute beginners into competent ethical hackers. For a starting point that assumes no prior expertise, it‘s hard to beat.
Key details:
- 4.5/5 star rating from ~275K students
- Entry-level friendly teaching style
- Visual/animated explanations
- Builds foundation before hacking
- Practice labs
6. Kali Linux for Ethical Hackers (Cybrary)
Effective use of Kali Linux represents a core skill for any ethical hacker. After all, Kali is one of the most popular and powerful multi-purpose penetration testing distributions used by cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
Offered entirely for free through online education provider Cybrary, this hands-on Kali Linux course quickly advances your capabilities using this versatile toolkit. Industry expert Ralph Sposato shares his extensive knowledge deploying Kali for data gathering, network scans, exploitation and privilege escalation – precisely mimicking a hacker approach.
The learning modules strike an excellent balance between operating system fundamentals and practical hacking use cases. Ralph explains technical commands in straightforward ways while building your intuitive understanding. As examples, you‘ll crack wi-fi encryption, deploy SQL injection attacks and craft slippery malware payloads evading antivirus detection.
For cementing abilities with perhaps the #1 go-to hacking distro, Cybrary‘s Kali Linux offering is extremely worthwhile. It will sharpen both your technical chops and creative pen testing instincts in equal measure.
Key details:
- Free access to premium training
- Led by veteran instructor Ralph Sposato
- Balances Linux + ethical hacking
- Wi-fi cracking, injections, malware
- Develop core skill with Kali toolkit
7. Hacking and Patching Course (Coursera)
For a quick yet illuminating initial foray into ethical hacking techniques, the University of Colorado‘s Hacking and Patching Course on Coursera is a leading choice. At around 12 hours in length, modules provide an overview of core concepts using the instructor Ed Chow‘s decades of industry expertise working in cybersecurity.
While condensed, course lectures still work through hacking SQL databases, decryption methodologies, denial of service attacks and more with hands-on examples. Students receive access to the same interactive labs with virtual machines to penetrate vulnerable operating systems first-hand.
Given the shorter course duration, topics naturally do not reach advanced stages. However, the class succeeds as a free ethical hacking taster course for beginners from a major accredited university. It works well as preliminary exposure to spark your interest before pursuing more immersive programs.
Key details:
- Free ethical hacking primer course
- Taught by University of Colorado professor
- Pen testing demos and virtual labs
- Light enough for beginners (12 hours)
- Credential of completion
8. The Complete Cyber Security & Hacking Course (Armin Crvic)
In terms of sheer conciseness alongside bags of hacking knowledge, look no further than pentester Armin Crvic‘s Complete Cyber & Security Hacking Course. With distilled lectures spanning 22 hours, Armin systematically traces the penetration testing lifecycle with clarity.
Students are immersed in building hacking environments, port scanning, data harvesting, password cracking and privilege escalation. You‘ll conduct man-in-the-middle, denial of service and SQL injection attacks hands-on. Unlike lengthier programs, every minute sticks to core ethical hacking techniques still leaving no stone unturned.
With 4/5 stars awarded by over 120,000 learners, Armin clearly delivers concept explanations that click for a wide audience. Combined with the affordable pricing and toolkit provided for exploiting vulnerabilities long after course completion, it‘s formidable value. If you value no-fluff teaching geared solely for equipping your ethical hacking skills swiftly, put this course high on your list.
Key details:
- 4/5 stars with 120K+ ratings
- Hacking toolkit and VMs included
- Port scans, injections, malware
- Crack wi-fi, harvest data
- Concise 22 hour duration
9. Ethical Hacking – Complete Course (HackerSploit Academy)
When seeking an ethical hacking education from instructors actively employed conducting penetration tests, HackerSploit Academy shines. The team consists of information security consultants constantly honing their own skills in the field.
Their Complete Ethical Hacking Course distills immense first-hand experience into highly focused 4 hours of training. The curriculum is carefully structured both for accessibility to those with limited cybersecurity familiarity while still accelerating intermediate learners.
Although condensed, the module pace never feels rushed. Core areas explored range from information gathering, target scanning and analysis to system breaches via misconfigurations, special injections and password cracks with Rainbow tables. The material choices reflect an innate grasp of practical high value pen testing takeaways.
Ultimately, HackerSploit Academy delivers tremendously well on teaching real world attack simulation safely and legally. You tap into the same competitive hacking mindset leveraged during their consulting engagements. It‘s extremely light on fluff while unlocking a solid baseline of skills through to post-exploitation.
Key details:
- Taught by practicing pentest consultants
- Just 4 hours (concise curriculum)
- Recon, scans, injections, breaches
- Rainbow table password cracks
- Post-exploitation techniques
10. Practical Network Penetration Testing (Pluralsight)
Pluralsight authors some of the cleanest structured video training available for technology skill building. This 15-hour Practical Network Penetration Testing course is no exception, providing expert tutor Rick Crisci‘s methodical and code-rich techniques for hacking network infrastructures.
Rick establishes a strong basis covering talks reconnaissance like packet sniffing through to vulnerability analysis evaluating configurations for flaws. Students then progress towards launching infrastructure attacks like denial of service, planting trojans, escalating privileges and intercepting traffic.
Each concept includes relevant practical activities to apply information through immersive penetration testing projects. Rick wraps up the training by outlining the formal reporting typically compiled for clients explaining findings and remediation guidance.
With coding and tool output so tightly integrated throughout, the class material clearly comes from an experienced practitioner. It goes well beyond just theory to mimic advanced pen testing workflows. After taking this course, you will undoubtedly feel greatly boosted confidence in penetration testing network-layer attack vectors.
Key details:
- Network infrastructure focus
- Taught by cybersecurity veteran
- Heavy emphasis on practical coding tasks
- Launch DoS, trojans, escalate privileges
- Testing reporting best practices
Choosing the Right Ethical Hacking Course for You
With so many high quality choices out there, we encourage reflecting on a few key criteria to decide which ethical hacking course best matches your personal learning objectives:
- Teaching style: Do you prefer condensed, straight-to-the point video lectures or more conversational walkthroughs? Hands-on practical learning or stronger theory foundations? Understand how you learn best.
- Areas of focus: Network infrastructure, web applications, wireless networks, cryptography or general pen testing? Consider tailoring course curriculum strengths to your professional interests.
- Instructor experience: Cybersecurity consultants and longtime educators usually deliver premium insights from the frontlines.
- Interactivity: Options like virtual labs, coding environments and Slack community forums create enriching experiences during and after courses.
- Credentials: Certificates of completion and accredited certifications indicate mastery and capability.
- Cost: Calculate value based on price relative to your current income and career advancement opportunities long-term.
We aimed to provide a well-rounded shortlist of cyber training guiding anyone from curious beginners towards expert-level ethical hackers. Now equipped with detailed insights into each program‘s format, topics and instructor credibility, the decision making process should prove far smoother.
Here‘s wishing you the very best as you embark down an ethical hacking education path that excites and propels your goals. The information security community eagerly welcomes people with your drive and aspirations.