How to Learn Ethical Hacking: Courses and Certifications (2026)
Want to learn ethical hacking and work in cybersecurity? In 2007 we wrote about the AFCEH (Ankit Fadia Certified Ethical Hacker) course, sold through Reliance WebWorld outlets across India for Rs 6,499. Ethical hacking has since become a mainstream career with globally recognised certifications and excellent free practice labs. Here’s how to get started in 2026, legally and affordably.
Quick answer: To learn ethical hacking, start with networking, Linux and web basics, then practise on legal training platforms such as TryHackMe, Hack The Box, PortSwigger’s free Web Security Academy and OverTheWire. Build towards recognised certifications like CompTIA Security+, EC-Council’s CEH or OffSec’s OSCP. Only ever test systems you own or have written permission to test.
Table of Contents
What is ethical hacking?
Ethical hackers (penetration testers) are hired to find security weaknesses before criminals do. They use the same techniques as attackers, but with permission, a defined scope and a report that helps the organisation fix problems.
How to learn ethical hacking step by step
- Learn the foundations: how networks, operating systems (especially Linux) and websites work.
- Learn a scripting language: Python or Bash for automating tasks.
- Practise legally in labs built for training:
- TryHackMe – guided beginner rooms and learning paths.
- Hack The Box – more challenging machines and an Academy.
- PortSwigger Web Security Academy – free web security labs.
- OverTheWire – free wargames for Linux and security basics.
- Join capture-the-flag (CTF) events to test your skills.
- Earn certifications when you’re ready to apply for jobs.
Recognised ethical hacking certifications
- CompTIA Security+ – a common entry-level security certification.
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) from EC-Council – widely known, especially in India and government roles.
- OSCP from OffSec – a respected hands-on penetration testing exam.
- eJPT from INE – a practical entry-level pentest certificate.
In the 2000s, branded courses like AFCEH were popular in India, but employers today look for widely recognised certifications and practical skills you can demonstrate.
Stay on the right side of the law
- Never test a website, network or device without written permission.
- Use your own lab, training platforms or official bug bounty programmes with clear rules.
- Unauthorised access is a crime in most countries, including under India’s IT Act.
Start with your own security: use strong, unique passwords (see the most common passwords to avoid) and follow our WordPress security tips if you run a site.
FAQ
Can I learn ethical hacking for free?
Yes. PortSwigger Web Security Academy, OverTheWire and the free tiers of TryHackMe and Hack The Box are good starting points.
Which ethical hacking certification is best for beginners?
CompTIA Security+ or eJPT are good first steps; OSCP is more advanced.
Is ethical hacking a good career?
Security skills are in demand worldwide, especially for people with hands-on experience.
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hello
where is ur othere branches which providing totally knowladge of computer hacking??
I am doing bsc comp.Sci.I am in pune is there any course in pune
i m very interested in the hacking process,
would u suggesst me what are the primary stage or what are the basic knowledge about it .
thanks
sir, am interested in learning hacking and wanna know how do i save my website from being hacked?
please advise ASAP
want to learn hacking
please send me course details including fees.i live in chennai and preferably want to learn online.
I want to learn the Ethical Hacking
hello ankit
please send me your course details. please send me your ebooks
i want to learn ethical hacking from kolkata
Now a days Cyber Crime is growing with an alarming rate but i want to decrease it that’s why i want to know and the hacking
hi,sir i m siddharth i want my carrer in ethical haking pls tell me u course avilable in mumbai.if avilable,tell me ur course in mumbai where??
hi, i want my carrer in legal hacking please help me out i want instute in pune or delhi
sir,I’ve read some of ur books.I wanted to know something about pinging
Sir, I have dam interest in learning Ethical Hacking.SO will u please tell me tht wht basic things should be perfect before joining your Certification Course & Wht’s the fees structure of tht course & even i need information regarding the placements.
I want to become an ethical, I want to grow my carrier in hacking, i’m a programmer, well awared from java and .net, but i don’t know from where to start.. can you help me?
hi i want my carrer in legal hacking please help me out i want instute in pune or delhi
show me the latest technique to hack somebodys computer & completely destroy it…….give it in detail…..step by step…….
sho me how to close windows directly by making a short cut.
I am a MCA student from tamilnadu(coimbatore)… now i am aware of hacking.. is it useful to my career….because now I.T is getting down…and now i am going to concentrate in hacking & cyber security, but i dont know fully what it is..can i join and study in reliance web world….
Hi ..
I am Anish , working in one of the IT companies in Bangalore . My childhood dream is to become a good hacker and want to serve society by doing gud thing using my hacking knowledge . I have done my Engineering in Electronics and communication . SO . May i know , is there course in Hacking so that it will be helpful for my career .. I can dedicate my life for hacking .. so . please help me out …
i wann take admission in u r course,i m frm nasik
.is there is any course present in nasik?
i want to know about hacking and ethical hacking.
giv me fee structre of whole class.
plz giv me any suggetion.
thaking you.
i am learn to email hack plaease help me
it is the unique collection by ankit ,pls contect me on mobile b,coz i want to lern hacking
hello sir
plz
computer hacking traning
if i forget my password the how to recover me password…i want to learn how to recover ma passowrd plzzz teach me….on this vacation….
n i want to…know…how to hack any account…
plzz reply..
i want to learn web security & hacking , corporate security also
I want to know abot ethical hacking and career in it
sir i want to learn hacking for a job in a big company and i m also interested in it.
rubbish book of the world although ankit fadia is great but his books are stupid how can any one learn hacking from a book. first everyone who wants to be a hacker learn python take this as advice because there are no other way.
Hi, I wants to learn the haking under your guidence.
Then give me reply on my email id…
Plz help me because i want to learn E-mail Hacking
How I learn to change the passward of mail account Please teach me otherwise I wait for your acknowledge , everlasting …… HAIDER
Sir,i want to learn hacking to the fullest,how can i get the required guidance(notes etc.,)please help……………..
i want to learn hacking in this summer.
what is the procedure?
i have no idea in java.
will there be any problem?
hello sir,
this is purvik,
i am keen in learning hacking from u.
i read ur previous edition books.
and they were fantastic.
i still wanna leasrn from u.
Sir,
I want to learn ethecalhacking, give me some information like which coaching centre is better,fees, opertunities etc.
thanking you sir.
sambasivarao.
i am interested in hacking
Maybe you can learn hacking from Innobuzz Knowledge Solutions aswell. They have instructor training instead of online training like fadia offers.
sir, i’m a student of 12th class & i’d given the exams. I want to study about hacking , mean that i want to do engineering in hacking , I only know about C++ . i’m from bhopal(mp) , i want to know that there are colleges in mp for hacking. i mostly respect that to understand my problem, i know that u’ll help me.
Parinesh
hi i m keen to learn basics of hacking because
i know if i get the start then i can go further on
myself.
i am also working on windows network.
i need help from ankit fadia.
contact me on him_titanic@yahoo.com
sir,i am interested in your way of securing the network data or if I simply say TO PREVENT CYBER CRIME.I wanted to know about this.Please inform me for the same.
THANKING YOU,
SAURABH
i wan’t to know about hacking
I m reading ur book- an unofficial guide to ethical hacking,second edition. is this book is for XP/vista or only for 95/98? Because, the 1st chapter is not working for xp? Plz, tell me about it. I have also read ur book- email hacking.
hi friends tell me how to be a good hacker,am very much eager to know to this
i wud like to knw about hacking very deeply….
HACKERSCENTER.COM is the world best
I want to learn hacking and than work for antihacking team , this is the only way.
i have gone through ur books..i wnt to know more tricks of hacking
i want to now about hacking
It is the unique collection by ankit ,pls contect me on mobile b,coz I want to lern hacking.I’m crazy about it
it is the unique collection by ankit ,pls contect me on mobile b,coz i want to lern hacking
The comment above seems spam. Check it !
Btw, I think that the 2-year scheme is rather lazy. Think of Aaron Wall’s SEObook, for ex. He provides updates frequently, free of cost.