Want to become an ethical hacker but don’t know where to start — or don’t have a budget for expensive courses?
You’re in the right place.
At Slickhacker, we believe security knowledge should be accessible, especially for those just getting started. In this guide, you’ll discover the top 10 free ethical hacking resources that help you build skills, from zero to advanced.
Whether you’re a student, tech enthusiast, or aspiring cybersecurity pro — these platforms will help you get hands-on experience for free.
Ethical hackers are in high demand across industries. Learning this skill:
Opens doors to lucrative careers in cybersecurity
Helps you understand how systems can be exploited
Lets you protect your own apps, websites, or businesses
And thanks to open learning platforms, you can get started today — without paying a dime.
A fun, interactive learning platform that offers guided hacking labs for beginners and advanced users.
✅ Hands-on
✅ Gamified
✅ Beginner-friendly
Perfect starting point for absolute beginners.
One of the most respected platforms in the industry for real-world penetration testing labs.
✅ Advanced labs
✅ Free “Starting Point” path
✅ Community-driven
Great for leveling up after you’ve grasped the basics.
He offers full ethical hacking courses, free on YouTube — including his viral Practical Ethical Hacking series.
✅ Step-by-step explanations
✅ Real tools used
✅ Beginner to intermediate
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) provides tons of free resources about securing web applications.
✅ OWASP Top 10
✅ Cheat sheets
✅ Hands-on labs (Juice Shop, WebGoat)
Must-know for anyone serious about web hacking.
An online learning platform with free cybersecurity and ethical hacking courses.
✅ Structured curriculum
✅ Video lessons
✅ Career-oriented
Kali is the go-to Linux distro for hacking, and its official docs are a goldmine.
✅ Tool explanations
✅ Usage examples
✅ Updated regularly
Free access to MIT’s advanced course on systems security, taught by professors.
✅ Deep concepts
✅ Lecture videos & notes
✅ University-level quality
Watch talks and tutorials from industry experts, mostly from DEF CON and global cybersecurity events.
✅ Real-world case studies
✅ Tools demos
✅ Great for red teamers
The creators of Burp Suite offer free hands-on labs and lessons to master web security.
✅ Interactive
✅ Highly practical
✅ Professional-grade learning
(Yes, that’s us!)
We regularly post:
✅ Real-world case studies
✅ Vulnerability walkthroughs
✅ Free tutorials using industry tools
Learn from an active ethical hacker — and grow faster than you thought possible.
While it’s amazing to learn ethical hacking on your own, sometimes you just need an expert to look at your systems.
At Slickhacker, we offer:
✅ Affordable website & app penetration testing
✅ Clear, beginner-friendly reports
✅ One-on-one consultations for learners & small businesses
👉 Contact us to request a free vulnerability scan or a full security audit.
Ethical hacking is one of the most empowering tech skills you can learn — whether you want to break into cybersecurity or just build better, safer software.
These 10 free platforms will help you learn fast, legally, and hands-on. Bookmark this post, and start exploring today.
And when you’re ready to take things seriously — hire a pro.
Stay safe. Stay sharp. Hack ethically.
At Slickhacker, we help individuals, startups, and small businesses stay ahead of cyber threats by identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Whether you’re:
Launching a new website or app,
Handling sensitive user data,
Or just want peace of mind…
We offer:
✅ Professional website & application penetration testing
✅ Easy-to-understand security reports
✅ Affordable packages for all business sizes
🛡️ Let us protect what you’ve built.
Stay secure. Stay ahead. Work with Slickhacker.
