7 BEST Ethical Hacking Courses (2025)
There are many ethical hacking certification providers in the market who claim to offer reliable content and valid certificates. However, without proper research about their reputation and validating them, you must not sign up for their services.
Many ethical hacking course providers offer entirely outdated information, and their certificates may not be acceptable. There are also numerous companies that do not accept certain certificates due to the reputation of the provider or the inaccuracy of the course.
Some of these online academies may also demand a huge fee without offering proper tutors and materials. You must look into their reviews and the merit of the certifications so that you can find a reliable academy with valuable offerings.
Having researched 40+ Best Ethical Hacking Courses over 100 hours, I bring you a professional, unbiased guide. Covering free and paid options, this well-researched list details their features, pricing, and verified certifications. This ultimate review may help you enhance your career. Read the full article for exclusive recommendations. Read more…
Best Ethical Hacking Courses with Certifications
Course Name | Provider | Key Topics | Level | Duration | Certification | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch | Udemy | • Network hacking • Gaining Access |
Beginner | 15 hours 51 minutes | Yes | Enroll for Free |
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate | Coursera | • Cyber Threat Intelligence • Penetration Testing |
Beginner | 3 Months | Yes | Enroll for Free |
Ethical Hacker | Udacity | • Introduction to Ethical Hacking • Audit ExampleCorp project |
eginner | 2 Month | No | Enroll for Free |
Hacking in Practice | Udemy | • Introduction to Cyber Threats. • Popular IT Security Myths. |
Beginner | 27 hours 20 minutes | Yes | Enroll for Free |
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking | Cybrary | • System hacking. • Wireless Network Hacking. |
Intermediate | 29 hours 13 minutes | Yes | Enroll for Free |
1) Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch (Udemy)
Key Specs: Rating: 4.6 | Duration: 15 hours 51minutes | Fee: $34.99 | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch is an ethical hacker course with 135 videos focused on hacking and security. As I reviewed this course, I found that it is great for learning how to ethically hack systems and secure them by applying social engineering skills. You will learn to exploit SQL injections, collect sensitive website data, and gain detailed insights into advanced hacking techniques.
It is one of the best ethical hacking courses online, created by Zaid Sabih, an ethical hacker, computer scientist, and CEO of zSecurity. Additionally, the company zSecurity is one of the top providers of ethical hacking and cyber security training.
Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch is perfect for anyone curious about hacking with basic IT skills. It provides 16 hours of detailed on-demand video content. The course includes two insightful articles and 24 downloadable resources. You will gain practical knowledge and earn a Certificate of Completion. Accessible on both TV and mobile, this course ensures flexible learning at your convenience.
What will You Learn?
- Learn to Protect Networks: You will focus on securing WiFi and wired networks to avoid unauthorized breaches using practical, step-by-step techniques.
- WEP Cracking Techniques: I mastered cracking WEP encryption, which is one of the easiest ways to understand security flaws in outdated network protocols.
- Understand Client & Server Exploits: You will explore how server and client-side vulnerabilities are exploited, a solution for strengthening system-wide defenses.
- Post-Attack Data Analysis: I performed post-connection tasks such as MITM attacks, helpful to gather critical data about network communication.
- Identify Database Vulnerabilities: You will gain hands-on experience with SQL Injection and XSS, great options to prevent exploitation in web applications.
- Interacting with Compromised Systems: Discover how to engage with systems after exploitation, typically needed to identify hidden threats and resolve security gaps.
Pricing:
$17.99
How to Enroll in the Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch Course?
Step 1) Head over to the Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch course on Udemy.
Step 2) Click the “Enroll Now” button on the course page. If you don’t have an account, sign up using your email or log in using an existing account.
Step 3) Complete the payment process or apply any discount codes you may have. Once confirmed, you’ll gain access to the course materials.
Step 4) Begin your learning journey by navigating through the course curriculum and engaging with the hands-on exercises and lessons provided.
Pros
Cons
2) IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera)
Key Specs: Rating: 4.6 | Duration: 3 months | Fee: Free | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is offered by IBM Security Learning Services. While reviewing, I found that experts from IBM Global teach the course. This ethical hacking certification has eight courses with lessons on threat intelligence, compliance, and system fundamentals.
In this ethical hacking course for beginners, you will develop the knowledge of cyber security analyst tools that include end-point protection, data protection, etc. You will also learn about incident response and forensics with case studies from the real world.
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is a versatile program designed for anyone, regardless of prior experience or academic background. It empowers learners with essential skills through interactive tools and mock interviews. The course offers personalized feedback for resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Subtitles in over seven languages ensure global accessibility. A shareable certificate showcases your accomplishment at your pace.
What will You Learn?
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools: I found that this section allows you to understand how cyberattacks happen and what tools are used to prevent them.
- Cyber Security Roles and Processes: You will learn about the different roles and processes within cyber security and how they operate across various systems.
- Cyber Security Compliance Essentials: You will discover the essential frameworks and how they aim to guide system administration in cybersecurity compliance.
- Cybersecurity Incident Analysis: This may help you grasp how to respond to cybersecurity incidents through real-world breach case studies.
- Comprehending Network Vulnerabilities: It might be helpful to learn about the vulnerabilities networks face and the best ways to protect data.
- Penetration Testing Techniques: You will learn the most effective methods for penetration testing and incident response to enhance forensic capabilities.
Pricing:
Free to Enroll
How to Enroll in the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate?
Step 1) Head over to the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate course on Coursera.
Step 2) Tap the “Enroll for Free” button. You will be prompted to create an account with your email or log in if you already have one.
Step 3) Choose between the free trial or subscription option for full access to the course content.
Step 4) Begin your journey by exploring the course modules, hands-on labs, and real-world projects provided in the curriculum.
Pros
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3) Ethical Hacker (Udacity)
Key Specs: Rating: NA | Duration: 2 months | Fee: $678 | Certificate: No | Level: Beginner
Ethical Hacker by Udacity is a bundle of cybersecurity courses. I particularly liked that the course is led by Sagar Bansal and Paul Oyelakin, both of whom bring strong expertise. It helps you gain skills in cybersecurity frameworks, resources, and standards. It also covers ethical hacking techniques, data analysis, and advanced security.
In this beginner’s course, you will train on how to be an ethical hacker and identify and exploit vulnerabilities. Learning this course, you will be able to carry out penetration plans and report the findings with valid evidence.
Ethical Hacker is a comprehensive course that offers unlimited personalized feedback and project reviews to refine your skills. You will work on real-world projects and experience immersive content designed to simulate practical scenarios. The course includes LinkedIn optimization and GitHub portfolio review to elevate your professional presence. Real-time support and a thriving student community ensure a collaborative learning experience at your own pace.
What will You Learn?
- Introduction to Hacking Techniques: This course helps me grasp the foundational elements and tools needed for effective, ethical hacking.
- Corporate Security Auditing: You will learn how to perform detailed security audits on corporate projects to enhance safety protocols.
- Penetration Methodology: It might be helpful to learn the top picks of methods and practices for thorough penetration testing.
- Red Team Operations: You will discover great ways to plan and execute red teaming operations in cybersecurity contexts.
- Ethical Hacking Essentials: You will explore the required skills and tools essential for beginning ethical hacking.
- Security Audit Execution: It might be helpful to learn the necessary steps to conduct and review security audits within corporations.
Pricing:
Free to Enroll
How to Enroll in the Ethical Hacker Nanodegree Program?
Step 1) Head over to the Ethical Hacker Nanodegree Program course on Udacity.
Step 2) Click the “Enroll Now” button on the course page. If you don’t already have a Udacity account, you’ll be prompted to create one using your email address or log in with an existing account.
Step 3) Select a payment plan and complete the enrollment process. Udacity offers flexible payment options for this course.
Step 4) Once enrolled, access the course materials and start your learning journey to become an ethical hacker!
Pros
Cons
4) Hacking In Practice: Intensive Ethical Hacking Mega Course (Udemy)
Key Specs: Rating: 4.7 | Duration: 27 hours 20 minutes | Fee: $109.99 | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
Hacking In Practice is an online hacker course that will help you gain ethical hacking skills with both theory and practice. It helped me understand all security trends and myths through this certification. The course creators are IT Security Academy pros and Hacking School experts. In this certification, you will learn about security myths, how to prevent identity spoofing, and how to fight malware.
This is one of the best hacking courses online
that will teach you how to fight malware, WiFi network standards and protection, encrypt data in Windows, etc. It is made for hacking enthusiasts, IT students, ethical hackers, programmers, future IT sec professionals, and IT enthusiasts.
Hacking In Practice provides a structured learning experience with 21 hours of video content and comprehensive resources like 17 articles and 12 downloads. It is accessible to everyone, even those without programming skills. With lifetime access and compatibility with mobile and TV, the course ensures flexibility. A certificate of completion highlights your newly acquired expertise.
What will You Learn?
- Application Security Insights: This course will teach you the most effective trends in application security and IT security.
- Cyber Threats and Data Security: You will learn about the latest threats in cyber security and essential strategies to protect data.
- IT Security Myths Debunked: I learned that this course helps you avoid the common myths surrounding IT security and network administration.
- Network and Data Security: You will discover the required skills for securing computer networks and safeguarding data effectively.
- Designing Secure Networks: This course allows you to learn the best ways to design and secure wireless and wired networks.
Pricing:
$14.99
How to Enroll in the Hacking in Practice: Intensive Ethical Hacking MEGA Course?
Step 1) Head over to the Hacking in Practice: Intensive Ethical Hacking MEGA Course on Udemy.
Step 2) Click the “Enroll Now” button on the course page. If you don’t have an account, you can create one using your email address or log in with an existing account.
Step 3) Choose a payment option and complete the checkout process. Udemy often offers discounts, so look for any available promotions.
Step 4) Once enrolled, start learning by accessing the course videos and materials to enhance your skills in ethical hacking and network security.
Pros
Cons
5) Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (Cybrary)
Key Specs: Rating: 4 | Duration: 29 hours 13 minutes | Fee: Free | Certificate: Yes | Level: Intermediate
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking is one of the best online hacking courses that gives an immersive learning experience. My research will take you through various types of attacks, like DDoS, session hijacking, password cracking, SQL injection, and more. You will also learn about cryptography and cloud computing, which are essential skills, along with policy creation and intrusion detection.
The instructor of this course is Ken Underhill, who is a master instructor at Cybrary and also a cyber security professional. On completing this hacking training, you will gain skill sets like scanning and enumeration, attack and exploitation, malware analysis, and much more.
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking is the perfect choice for intermediate learners aiming to master ethical hacking. It includes engaging on-demand videos and virtual labs for immersive, practical learning. Graduates of this course can confidently apply for penetration tester roles, making it a crucial step in achieving professional expertise.
What will You Learn?
- Ethical Hacking Basics: You will learn the essential concepts and techniques needed to begin a career in ethical hacking.
- Scanning Techniques: This course helps you master the techniques for scanning and enumerating networks, which is crucial for security assessments.
- Reconnaissance Strategies: You will learn the best ways to perform footprinting and reconnaissance to gather necessary information about targets.
- Web and Mobile Security: This course teaches you the required skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web and mobile applications.
- Network Security Methods: I learned how to perform perimeter and network hacking to enhance defensive strategies effectively.
Pricing:
Free to Enroll
How to Enroll in the Ethical Hacking Course on Cybrary?
Step 1) Head over to the Ethical Hacking Course on Cybrary.
Step 2) Click the “Get Started” or “Enroll” button on the course page. You may be prompted to create an account with your email address or log in to an existing account.
Step 3) Complete the enrollment process. Depending on the course, you may need to choose a subscription plan or access free content.
Step 4) Begin learning by exploring the course materials and resources to develop your ethical hacking skills and prepare for certification exams.
Pros
Cons
Link: https://www.cybrary.it/course/ethical-hacking/
6) Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) by EC Council (edX)
Key Specs: Rating: 4.5 | Duration: 16–24 hours per week | Fee: Free(Optional Upgrade available) | Certificate: Yes | Level: Intermediate
Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) offers online ethical hacking courses for workers and students from high school to college. I recommend this cybersecurity course as it includes topics such as ethical hacking and penetration testing. It is a new MOOC course that helps build basic knowledge for students. It offers hands-on practice that helps apply skills right at work.
Hence, with this course, the learners will be prepared to enter real-world situations. In return, the real-world experience benefits organizations with skilled candidates who can improve the security posture, hence, it increases their chance of getting hired. This ethical hacking certificate course is taught by Kevin King, who has several degrees to his name, like CCSE, ECSA, CTIA, and many more. He is also a director of integrated learning at the EC Council.
Ethical Hacking Essentials is an entry-level program that offers access to renowned institutions and three skill-building courses at no cost. It provides a strong foundation for anyone interested in ethical hacking. Upgrading unlocks graded assignments, exams, and a shareable certificate. With free edX support, the program ensures comprehensive learning for every participant.
What will You Learn?
- Information Security Essentials: You will learn the core principles and methods needed to secure information effectively.
- IoT Security Strategies: This course helps you understand and mitigate attacks against the Internet of Things and Operational Technology devices.
- Threat and Vulnerability Management: You will learn to identify and address information security threats and vulnerabilities systematically.
- Password Security Measures: I discovered how crucial it is to implement robust countermeasures against password cracking techniques.
- Comprehensive Attack Prevention: This course teaches you how to defend against web, wireless, mobile, and network level attacks effectively.
Pricing:
Free to Enroll
How to Enroll in the EC-Council Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) Course on edX?
Step 1) Head over to the EC-Council Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) course on edX.
Step 2) Click the “Enroll Now” button. You will need to sign up for an edX account or log in with an existing account.
Step 3) Choose between the free audit option or the verified track (for certification) and complete the enrollment process.
Step 4) Start learning by accessing the course modules to gain knowledge and skills in ethical hacking essentials.
Pros
Cons
7) Become Ethical Hacker (LinkedIn Learning)
Key Specs: Rating: NA | Duration: 32 hours | Fee: Free for 1 month, $19.99 per month/ billed annually | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
Become Ethical Hacker is a LinkedIn learning course that will help you identify vulnerabilities. In my opinion, these hacker classes teach you how to fix these problems and block network attacks and threats. The instructors of this course are Lisa Bock, who is an author of Ethical Hacking: Penetration Testing, and Malcolm Shore, a cybersecurity consultant.
You will also learn ethical hacking online from Luciano Ferrari, a CSO and Product Security officer, and Stephanie Domas, a Chief Security Technology Strategist. Furthermore, you will be taught by Daniel Lachance, who is a Consultant, Author, and Editor at Lachance IT Consulting Inc.
Become Ethical Hacker delivers a structured approach with 19 ethical hacking courses. It provides tools to practice risk assessment and network testing, ensuring real-world readiness. The program prepares you to pass the Certified Ethical Hacker (312-50) Exam and earn a badge of completion. Free access for one month on phones and tablets makes it highly accessible.
What will You Learn?
- Ethical Hacking Introduction: You will learn the foundational skills required for ethical hacking, covering core security principles.
- Footprinting Techniques: This course teaches you the best ways to perform footprinting and reconnaissance to gather critical information.
- Network Scanning Fundamentals: You will discover how to scan networks effectively, identifying vulnerable points and potential threats.
- Enumeration Strategies: I found that this course allows you to learn enumeration methods that are crucial for detailed network analysis.
- Vulnerability Assessment Skills: This course helps you understand and evaluate security vulnerabilities in networks and systems.
Pricing:
Free to Enroll
How to Enroll in the Become an Ethical Hacker Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning?
Step 1) Head over to the Become an Ethical Hacker learning path on LinkedIn Learning.
Step 2) Click the “Start Free Trial” or “Join Now” button if you’re not a LinkedIn Learning subscriber. You’ll be prompted to log in to your LinkedIn account or create one.
Step 3) Complete the subscription or free trial setup. Once enrolled, start with the first course in the learning path to begin your ethical hacking journey.
Pros
Cons
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/become-an-ethical-hacker
What is the Average pay of an ethical hacker?
The current average pay of an Ethical Hacker is $89,051 in the United States. Nevertheless, this will vary depending on the state and location you are applying to for the role.
Here are some of the major companies’ salaries for ethical hackers:
- Amazon: $1,68,317 per year
- Google: $2,08,206 per year
- IBM: $1,48,570 per year
- Bank of America: $1,30,636 per year
This will also depend on your resume and experience.
How Did We Choose BEST Ethical Hacking Courses?
At Guru99, we are committed to providing accurate, relevant, and objective information through rigorous content creation and review processes. Check out the important factors below. After researching over 40 ethical hacking courses for more than 100 hours, we offer a professional, unbiased guide detailing both free and paid options. These include features, pricing, and certifications verified to meet industry standards. Ethical hacking courses aim to equip learners with essential skills to identify and address security threats effectively. Choosing the right course requires careful evaluation to ensure quality and relevance, helping you make informed decisions and enhance your career growth.
- Curriculum Quality: It is important to consider courses that cover essential topics such as penetration testing, network security, and malware analysis.
- Instructor Expertise: Make sure you choose courses taught by certified and experienced professionals for reliable insights.
- Practical Application: All you need are courses that allow you to practice skills through hands-on labs and real-world scenarios.
- Certification Value: Consider programs offering certifications recognized by the industry as this may help in career advancement.
- Community Support: One of the best ways to enhance learning is engaging with active forums or peer groups provided by the course.
How to Become an Ethical Hacker?
Given here is a list of important points on how to become an ethical hacker:
- Once you complete your 10th standard, you must choose the science stream and take up computer science, mathematics, physics, and chemistry as your primary subjects.
- After completing your 12th, you can either choose ethical hacking courses or go for BSc in Computer Science, BE, BTech, or IT engineering.
- Once you graduate from undergrad, you can take up M.Sc in Computer Science or M.Tech. You must master programming languages like Python, C++, etc.
- Finally, get career-based professional certifications to boost your resume.
Which ethical hacking course is best?
The best ethical hacking course is offered by Udemy, known as Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch. This course is for beginners and slowly moves toward the intermediate level. It comes with videos that are well-explained and have a valid certification. You also do not require any hacking knowledge or even programming skills required to apply for this course.
You can also choose IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate by Coursera, which is a free course and offers detailed topics. It is a course for beginners and includes mock interviews.
Career opportunity in the field of ethical hacking?
Some of the career opportunities in ethical hacking are:
- Network security engineer: These engineers’ responsibilities are maintenance, implementation, and integration of LAN, WAN, and various server architectures. They must monitor the security of the system and keep it from all sorts of bugs and threats.
- Government and Private organizations: Due to the rise in cyber attacks, both government and private firms require ethical hackers. Government organizations require security from threats like cyberterrorism, and private companies need to protect their data.
- Network security Admin: This role is for writing security policies and for performing audits consistently to check if the security policies are being followed and are up-to-date.
- Security consultant: These individuals examine the existing systems and security to identify threats and vulnerabilities. They also build and implement security systems that are required for the organization to prevent loss of data, unauthorized access, etc.
- Penetration tester: It is the role of a penetration tester who performs authorized testing to identify vulnerabilities in the organization’s system to prevent hackers and bugs from exploiting it.
- Vulnerability Assessor: This role is similar to a penetration tester; a vulnerability assessor looks for vulnerabilities and analyzes them to help the companies improve their security systems.
Verdict
Ethical hacking courses are essential for mastering cybersecurity skills. I believe learning the fundamentals and advanced techniques helps safeguard sensitive systems against threats. To find the right course, one should focus on comprehensive content, reliable certifications, and practical experience. Check my verdict for my recommendations on this topic.
- Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch: Offers an impressive beginner-friendly curriculum with 135 hacking videos and real-world simulations.
- IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate: Provides a robust framework with interactive tools and valuable certifications.
- Ethical Hacker (Udacity): Delivers powerful project-based learning with LinkedIn optimization for career advancement.