Ultimate Step-by-Step Roadmap to Becoming a Master Hacker
PHASE 1: COMPUTER & PROGRAMMING BASICS (0-3 Months)
Before hacking, you must understand how computers and coding work.
1.1 Learn How Computers Work
✅ What to Learn:
How CPU, RAM, Storage, OS, Networking, and the Internet work
File systems (Windows, Linux)
How programs run in memory
📚 Best Books & Resources:
Computer Science Crash Course (YouTube)
CS50 – Harvard’s Free Computer Science Course
Book: Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software – Charles
Petzold
1.2 Learn a Programming Language (Python First!)
✅ What to Learn:
Python Basics: Variables, Loops, Functions, Lists, Dictionaries
Writing simple automation scripts
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
📚 Best Books & Resources:
Python for Beginners – W3Schools
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (Free Book)
Book: Python Crash Course – Eric Matthes
1.3 Learn Linux (Because Hackers Use Linux!)
✅ What to Learn:
Basic Linux Commands (ls, cd, mkdir, rm, chmod, sudo, etc.)
File permissions and process management
Bash scripting
📚 Best Books & Resources:
Linux Journey – Free Interactive Guide
OverTheWire: Bandit (Hands-on Linux Hacking)
Book: The Linux Command Line – William Shotts
PHASE 2: NETWORKING & SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS (4-6 Months)
Hackers need deep networking knowledge to break into systems.
2.1 Learn Networking Basics
✅ What to Learn:
IP Addresses, Subnets, TCP/IP, UDP, DNS
HTTP, HTTPS, SSL/TLS
Firewalls, VPNs, Proxies
📚 Best Books & Resources:
Cisco Networking Academy (Free Course)
Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols, and Practice – Free Book
Book: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach – Kurose & Ross
2.2 Learn Cybersecurity Basics
✅ What to Learn:
Password hashing & encryption (SHA, MD5, AES, RSA)
Common vulnerabilities (SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF, Buffer Overflow)
Basics of Malware, Ransomware, Phishing, and Social Engineering
📚 Best Books & Resources:
Cybrary – Free Cybersecurity Courses
Hacker101 (Bug Bounty & Web Hacking)
Book: The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing – Patrick Engebretson
PHASE 3: ETHICAL HACKING & PENETRATION TESTING (7-12 Months)
Now, you start hacking real systems (legally!).
3.1 Learn Ethical Hacking Tools
✅ What to Learn:
Wireshark (Packet Sniffing)
Nmap (Network Scanning)
Metasploit (Exploitation)
Burp Suite (Web Hacking)
SQLmap (Database Attacks)
📚 Best Books & Resources:
TryHackMe (Best Hands-on Learning)
Hack The Box (Advanced Hacking Labs)
Book: Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking – Georgia Weidman
3.2 Learn Web Hacking & Bug Bounties
✅ What to Learn:
How to hack websites, APIs, and databases
OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities
Find bugs in real companies (Google, Facebook, Apple)
📚 Best Books & Resources:
PortSwigger Web Security Academy
Bugcrowd University (Free Web Hacking Lessons)
Book: The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook – Dafydd Stuttard
NEW ADDITION: CAPTURE THE FLAG (CTF) CHALLENGES
✅ What to Learn:
Solve real-world hacking puzzles & challenges.
Compete with other hackers and test your skills.
Find vulnerabilities in live systems.
📚 Best CTF Platforms:
OverTheWire – Best for Linux & networking practice.
TryHackMe – Hands-on beginner hacking challenges.
Hack The Box – Advanced hacking labs.
CTFtime – Global leaderboard for hacking competitions.
FINAL PHASE: BECOME A PROFESSIONAL HACKER & EARN MONEY (2+ Years)
Now, you can make money legally by hacking!
✅ Get Certified (To Prove Your Skills)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
CompTIA Security+
✅ Make Money with Bug Bounties
Join HackerOne & Bugcrowd
Companies pay $$$ for security bugs
✅ Work as a Cybersecurity Professional
Become a Penetration Tester, Security Engineer, or Red Team Expert
🚀 Conclusion: Can You Become a Hacker Like in Movies?
YES! But real hacking is harder than movies. It takes years of practice, but if you follow this
roadmap, you can become an elite hacker.