Ethical Hacking Course Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Topics covered:

Understanding Cybersecurity Basics
Ethical Hacking vs. Malicious Hacking
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Overview of Security Standards (ISO, NIST, etc.)
Types of Hackers: White Hat, Black Hat, and Gray Hat

Module 2: Reconnaissance and Information Gathering

Topics covered:

Passive and Active Reconnaissance Techniques
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Tools
Network Scanning and Enumeration
Social Engineering Basics
Tools: Maltego, Nmap, Wireshark

Module 3: Network Security and Vulnerability Assessment

Topics covered:

Network Architecture and Security Fundamentals
Firewall, IDS/IPS, and VPN Basics
Vulnerability Assessment Tools and Techniques
Introduction to Nessus and OpenVAS
Identifying and Assessing Weak Points in Networks

Module 4: System Hacking

Topics covered:

Understanding System Vulnerabilities
User Account Management and Privilege Escalation
Exploiting Operating System Vulnerabilities (Windows, Linux)
Malware and Rootkits Introduction
Tools: Metasploit, Netcat, Mimikatz

Module 5: Web Application Security

Topics covered:

Web Application Basics: HTTP, HTTPS, SSL/TLS
OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities
SQL Injection, XSS, and CSRF Attacks
Testing Web Applications for Vulnerabilities
Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP

Module 6: Wireless Network Security

Topics covered:

Basics of Wireless Networks (Wi-Fi Protocols)
Types of Wireless Attacks (WEP, WPA, WPA2 Cracking)
Wi-Fi Security and Encryption Standards
Rogue Access Points and Evil Twin Attacks
Tools: Aircrack-ng, Kismet

Module 7: Mobile Device Security

Topics covered:

Overview of Mobile Operating Systems (iOS, Android)
Common Vulnerabilities in Mobile Apps
Security Testing for Mobile Applications
Protecting Mobile Devices from Attacks
Tools: APKTool, MobSF, Drozer

Module 8: Exploitation Techniques

Topics covered:

Types of Exploits: Local vs. Remote
Exploit Development Basics
Buffer Overflows and Code Execution
Understanding Shellcode
Tools: Immunity Debugger, IDA Pro

Module 9: Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks

Topics covered:

Introduction to Social Engineering
Types of Phishing: Email, Spear Phishing, Whaling
Pretexting, Baiting, and Quid Pro Quo Techniques
Detecting and Preventing Phishing Attacks
Tools: SET, Gophish

Module 10: Malware Analysis and Threat Detection

Topics covered:

Types of Malware: Viruses, Trojans, Worms, Ransomware
Static and Dynamic Malware Analysis
Anti-Forensics and Evasion Techniques
Tools: Cuckoo Sandbox, PEiD, ProcMon

Module 11: Penetration Testing Process

Topics covered:

Planning and Scoping a Penetration Test
Penetration Testing Phases: Reconnaissance, Scanning, Exploitation, Reporting
Building and Presenting a Penetration Test Report
Common Penetration Testing Tools
Tools: Metasploit, Burp Suite, SQLmap

Module 12: Post-Exploitation Techniques

Topics covered:

Privilege Escalation and Lateral Movement
Covering Tracks and Data Exfiltration
Creating Persistent Access
Hiding Evidence and Logs
Tools: PowerShell, Veil