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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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,
i want to join one month training schedule .
so, how can i join you.
please tell me about date,schedule.fee etc ,all thing about the one month course as i am doing b.tech and want to do it as summer training.
I want to know how i become the india’s best ethical hacker by joining which institute in nashik
Dear Sir,
I am Prashant from bhubaneswar orrisa
Sir i neither have educational certifiates nor a IT certified holder but after all all System is my dream.Please send me some more hacking tricks.
plz give some detailed information about the course including its centres,certificates,fee structure and time duration.
hi sir
i want to join ur anti hacking course
so sir u plz tell me about ur course
i have done diploma in computer sci. & MCSE,CCNA
but i am interested in hacking
so sir plz tell me ur joining procedure
thanks
I want to purchase the all the 6 books published by ankit fadia ,How can i get thes,can anyone tell me
Respected Sir,
I am not able to complete my studies only up to 10th.I have so much interest in computer can i able to learn those courses. Please sir i”ll be very greatfull if you teach me.
Thankyou
Sundeep Roy
respected sir i want to learn hacking and anti hacking. so sir plz connect with me and give me tips and tricks of hacking and books of hacking.
thank u
hello sir i want to know about hacker courses what is the duration what is fee after which class we can do and what will be the good way for this course ihave done hardware and networking only basic
hello, good afternoon sir,
Ankit sir,
I m ashok vats. i m n c.e. engineer, i completed CCNA , And i interested in hacking and anti-hacking. i want ur better help , and i want to learn hacking on networking&security from you.so plz. sir send course details and many other guidence on my Mail.
i shall b very thankful 2 u 4 this
i really want to learn what is hacking
its great way to prevent cyber crimes,sir i want to learn hacking,i know that there r 3 kinds of hackers,i want to be white hat hacker,plz help me
Sir I Want to Learn About Hacking.
So Plz Tell Me About it .how i Begain…………..
respected sir
i also want to connect u.I want to learn hacking from you. please connect me with u.
Morning sir,
i also want to connect u. everyone want to do somthng different but i know i m the best of those n do very different. please connect me with u.
please give me the addrss of ankit fadia certified ethical hacking corse3.0 at bhopal(m.p.).
sir
please send the coures details
i’m Aurangabad.
please contact u’r No. I’m BCS IInd in MGM’s college, aurangabad.
Hi sir. I want to learn hacking from you. plz tell me when u arrange your course in vadodara in short period. I read your book it was fantastic. Now I want to learn new version. I attended your seminar also. plz I want to learn fast. Thank you.
Hi sir. I want to learn hacking from you. plz tell me when u arrange your course in vadodara in short period. I read your book it was fantastic. Now I want to learn new version. I attended your seminar also. plz I want to learn fast. Thank you.
hi sir,
i want to know types of hacking because i want to become hacker so please tell me which types of courses and softwares are available?
hello sir
how can i open the an user account if all the accounts are password protected?
kindly answer me
how can i open startup folder in vista
sir i want to learn ethical hacking….
plz send me some good hacking tricks
Hi i want to learn ethical hacking not for fun but computer is my Working area.i stay in Pune can i know any instiute name you are providing course in?
i am interesting in ethical hacking on computer security
hiiii i am k sriniva reddy i want to learn ethical hacking not for fun but computer is my passion.i stay in hyderabad can i know any instiute name you are providing course in?
dear ankit
you are doing a great job actually every indian must think about this atleast once.i have decided to do this cource and to serve my country with my efforts in this field.
sir,
i’m an IT student(2nd year) from bhopal.i want to learn ethical hacking fram you.let me contact you sir
hii…
i m looking for a good institute for ethical hacking course….
please any one can tell me which isntitute is better for this course in mumbai…
please tell me..
Hi Ankit,
I am Vinod,Still now i am working with TECH Mahindra,Pune. through OpenView Technology.also I have
completed BCA MCSE,MCTS.
I am pursuning Mca ccna ccnp from pune.Is there any courses running on Ethical Hacking.
Please guide me about your AFCEH course. i am interstate haking.
HI Ankit,
I am intersted to knw about hacking can u jst tell me about your cource or training in Mumbai.
hi to all so here is a site u can download maney thing like hacking pdf,videos,ebooks etc but u need a torrent downloder u can find in google n guyes all these things are free enjoy n use all these thing for ur safely
hi to all so here is a site u can download maney thing like hacking pdf,videos,ebooks etc but u need a torrent downloder u can find in google n guyes all these things are free
sir,my name is sagar tadge,i am from pune ,iam very eager to know about hacking,can you tell me where should i start?
i want to send birthday wishes as project in vb6
but it fails asking smtp servername
please give me info. of this problem
sir,
i am a engenering student and i am doing my engenering in IT.I want now about ethical hacking and what shell i do to become a professional hacker
i want to be a student of ankita fadia
Hello sir im an engineering student,im intrested to learn hacking ,is it possible for me n wat is the prossedure to join.
hi i wanna knw how to hack yahoo password
full details of net Hacking course.
I m a student of IIT Kanpur and in 1st year i want to learn hacking online which site is best for it please reply.
i want to learn web security & hacking , corporate security also
i wannna be a professional hacker
Dear Sir,
I am a college student in chhattisgarh, Sir i have studied you Ethical Hacking book i was really very nice. Sir we are willing to organize a function in our college and want you as a guest but we don’t know your email id so we can continue our further communication. Waiting for your positive reply.. Thank you sir.
hello sir,
I am passed out B-Tech Student on 2008 Batch.I want to learn Ethical Hacking from some institute or soma good place in India and want to do Masters Degree on it.If it is near of Kolkata it is too good for me but it is not necessary, it can be anywhere in India.If you kindly inform me about the institute’s and the course fees I shall be thankfull to you.
hello ankit
please send me your course details. please send me your ebooks
I want to learn the Ethical Hacking
i want to learn hacking
I have to become like an Ankit Fadia.
Which course is best. I tried AFCEH but some topics i can’t learn.
Hello Ankit,
I am pursuing Bsc IT from NIIT in Lucknow.Is there any courses running on Ethical Hacking.Please guide me about your AFCEH course.
Thanks.