Where to start.
 

Ok i know some people might not like this question but I just want to know where to start. Im only 15 and i have done a few things with computers. I know HTML, and CSS very well and ive done python before. But to be honest I am not even sure what hacking is and if that would help me. I know i want to be a ethical hacker and to do it for good but as far as what i need to do, I have no idea at all. I was on a LiveStream somewhere and i asked the same question and got this answer. "Read up on the CEH Cert. Employers look for that, Security+, and CCNA. That'll get you started on a professional White Hat career. To be taken more seriously, get your CISSP as well." So i was wondering im at the very bottom of the ladder and i want to climb it what is the first thing I should do. I was looking for answers like Like learn Java or look up a specific tutorial? I just need a jump start to see what hacking actually is and what its used for and the basic basics.

Hacking is knowledge. It's know-how. It's experience. Hacker is a very blurry term.

Some key words to help you google your way:

Bash scripting
Penetration testing
Vulnerability Scanning and Assessment
Telnet testing
NIST vulnerability database
Metasploit Testing and Scanning
Nessus
GFI Languard
Social Engineering


But remember, being a "hacker" is more than just being able to run an automated tool. It's knowing something in and out. There are hackers that literally know nothing about Windows or Linux, but they can hack the hell out of a phone controller. Its a common misconception that a hacker knows everything about everything. You sort of have to pick something to be good at. And what most "hackers" are good at is social engineering, which requires no certifications or know-how or programs or anything of the sort. (See Kevin Mitnick)

Ok on that note is there a webpage i could look at to see the different "Hacking" jobs to see which jobs interest me?

No, don't do Java.

I don't know HOW you decided you want to be an Ethical Hacker if you don't know what that entails, but maybe that was a couple of Hollywood movies having their effect on you? (Swordfish? :) ) , but anyway, to be one, you have to know the lowest levels of things, the very numbers that your chip is crunching. If you already have programmed, you know that your mind can "work that way", the next thing you should learn is Assembly Language. It's NOT easy, but still a heck of a lot easier these days since you can't crash a modern machine running in protected mode than when *I* was learning, MANY MANY years ago :)

When you have a reasonable handle on it, AND C, try this book: Programming Linux Hacker Tools Uncovered by Ivan Sklyarov (this should take you a couple of years).

Don't let others intimidate you (people older than you). FWIW, *I* am currently learning CSS, which I bloody HATE, so you know more about it than I do! :)


Tell us how it goes :)