7 BEST Ethical Hacking Courses with Certifications (2023)

By : Lawrence Williams Lawrence Williams
Hours Updated

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Many ethical hacking course providers offer entirely outdated information, and their certificates may not be acceptable.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.

This is why we have structured a list of well-researched best online ethical hacking courses. These online courses come with reliable materials and have valid certifications that will make your resume stand out. Read more…

Best Ethical Hacking Courses & Online Training Classes

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 Learn More
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate Coursera • Cyber Threat Intelligence
• Penetration Testing 		Beginner 3 Months Yes Learn More
Ethical Hacker Udacity • Introduction to Ethical Hacking
• Audit ExampleCorp project 		eginner 2 Month No Learn More
Hacking in Practice Udemy • Introduction to Cyber Threats.
• Popular IT Security Myths. 		Beginner 27 hours 20 minutes Yes Learn More
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Cybrary • System hacking.
• Wireless Network Hacking. 		Intermediate 29 hours 13 minutes Yes Learn More

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 that offers over 135 hacking and security videos. In this course, you will master the art of ethically hacking secure systems with the help of social engineering. You will also learn how to exploit SQL injections, gather sensitive data from websites, and other extensive and in-depth hacking knowledge.

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.

ethical-hacking-scratch-udemy-course

Features:

  • This course is made for everyone interested in learning hacking and having basic IT knowledge.
  • It includes 16 hours of on-demand videos.
  • This course comes with two articles.
  • It has 24 downloadable resources.
  • You will get a Certificate of completion.
  • It is accessible on TV and Mobile.

Key Topic:

  • Hack & secure both WiFi & wired networks
  • Setting Up a Hacking Lab and Linux Basics.
  • Pre-connection attacks and WEP Cracking.
  • Server-side attacks and client-side attacks.
  • Post-connection attacks, information gathering, and MITM attacks.
  • Interaction with compromised systems post-exploitation.
  • SQL Injection and Cross Site Scripting Vulnerabilities.
  • ebsite/ Web Application Hacking, how websites work, gather information, discover and exploit vulnerabilities.
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
This course trains a beginner and then moves to the intermediate level. Some of the details are outdated.
You will learn over 30 hacking tools. The Q and A support reply may not be quick.
The course is well explained with helpful graphics.

Enroll Now >>

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 provided by IBM security learning services. You will learn this course from the subject experts from IBM Global. This ethical hacking certification has eight courses that include topics like important threat intelligence topics, key compliance, network and system fundamentals, and more.

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-coursera-course

Features:

  • You will receive a shareable certificate.
  • Its subtitles are available in more than seven languages.
  • This course is suitable for everyone and doesn’t need any degree or prior experience.
  • You can learn it by making time when you can at your own pace.
  • It offers interactive tools and mock interviews.
  • Personalized feedback for improving resume and LinkedIn.

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools and Cyberattacks
  • Cyber Security Roles, Processes, and Operating Systems.
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence.
  • Cyber Security Compliance Framework and System Administration.
  • Cybersecurity Capstone: Breach Response Case Studies.
  • Network Security and Data Vulnerabilities.
  • Penetration Testing, Incident Response, and Forensics.
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
You will qualify for in-demand job titles like Cybersecurity Analyst. The transcripts in the video have a lot of mistakes.
It has up-to-date resources. The quality of the slides needs improvement.
Gives a quick overview that has valuable precise information.

Enroll Now >>

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 offered by Udacity. It is taught by Sagar Bansal, who is a chairman at Bansal X, and Paul Oyelakin, founder of PJ Professional IT Services. After this course, you will gain skills like cybersecurity resources frameworks and standards. It will also teach you ethical hacking techniques, data analysis, security, etc.

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-hacking-udacity-course

Features:

  • It has unlimited personalized feedback loops and submissions
  • You will experience real-world projects and get immersive content.
  • It also has real-time support.
  • You will gain access to LinkedIn profile optimization and GitHub portfolio review.
  • This course includes project reviews.
  • You will get help from the student community.
  • Learn this course at your own pace.

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to Ethical Hacking
  • Audit Example Corp project
  • Penetration Testing and Red Teaming Operations
  • Red Teaming Operations project
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
You will receive LinkedIn profile optimization. You need to have prior experience with at least one programming language, like Python.
It provides access to the classroom as soon as you enroll.
You can cancel it anytime.

Enroll Now >>

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 by Udemy is an online hacker course that will help you gain ethical hacking skills with both theory and practice. You shall learn all security trends and myths in this certification. Its creators are IT Security Academy professionals and Hacking School IT Security Experts. In this certification, you will learn about security myths, how to prevent identity spoofing, and 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-udemy-course

Features:

  • You will receive 21 hours of on-demand video.
  • This course includes 17 articles and 12 downloadable resources.
  • You can watch it on both mobile and TV.
  • It offers a certificate upon completion of the course.
  • You will get total lifetime access to this course.
  • You will not require to know any programming skills to learn it.

Key Topics:

  • Application security and IT security trends.
  • Introduction to Cyber Threats and data security.
  • Popular IT Security Myths and network administration.
  • Data Security and Computer Network Security.
  • Designing Secure Computer Networks and wireless network security.
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
It has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Some of the information needs updating.
You will get a voucher for the ISA CISS examination free of cost. It includes mainly theory classes only.
The presentations are detailed and informative.

Enroll Now >>

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 give an immersive learning experience. It shall take you through various types of attacks, like DDoS, session hijacking, password cracking, SQL injection, etc. You will also learn about cryptography and cloud computing, 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.

cybrary-ethical-hacking-course

Features:

  • You will receive on-demand videos to learn from the industry leaders.
  • It includes virtual labs to gain hands-on experience.
  • Upon finishing this course, you will be eligible to apply for the penetration tester role.
  • This is an intermediate course, so if you want to become a professional in ethical hacking, this is for you.

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to Ethical Hacking.
  • Scanning and Enumeration.
  • Footprinting and Reconnaissance.
  • System hacking.
  • Web Application Hacking and Mobile Hacking.
  • Network and Perimeter Hacking.
  • Wireless Network Hacking.
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
You will acquire all the tools needed for the application and development of effective vulnerability identification. You need to have prior knowledge about this subject before taking this course.
It includes optional labs for the students to get hands-on experience and is a free ethical hacking course.

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) include ethical hacking online courses for working professionals and high school, university, and college students. This cybersecurity course includes topics such as ethical hacking and penetration testing. It is a fresh course with MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) certification that helps in building foundational knowledge for the students. It offers hands-on experience, which helps in applying the skills immediately at the workplace.

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-edx-course

Features:

  • You will be able to access graded assignments and exams in the paid version.
  • It has a shareable certificate in the upgraded version.
  • You can access world-class institutions for free.
  • It provides three skill-building courses.
  • It also offers edX support to the learners for free.

Key Topics:

  • Information security fundamentals.
  • Ethical Hacking Fundamentals.
  • IoT and OT Attacks and Countermeasures.
  • Information Security Threats and Vulnerabilities.
  • Password Cracking Techniques and Countermeasures
  • Web Application, Wireless, Mobile, and Network Level Attacks and Countermeasures.
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
You will receive lab activities in a simulated environment. The certificate is offered only to the learners who use the upgraded version.
It includes the best practices in its course for improving organization security posture. Only an English transcript is available.

Enroll Now >>

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. These hacker classes will also teach you how to repair these issues 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-hacking-course

Features:

  • It provides practice tools to identify risks and test networks.
  • This course will prepare you to appear for the Certified Ethical Hacker (312-50) Exam.
  • You will earn a badge of completion that you can display on your profile under certificates and badges.
  • It offers 19 ethical hacking-related courses.
  • This course is accessible on both phones and tablets.
  • You can access it for free for one month.

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to Ethical Hacking.
  • Footprinting and Reconnaissance.
  • Scanning Networks.
  • Learn about Enumeration.
  • Vulnerability Analysis.
  • System Hacking.
  • The Complete Analysis Process.
👍 Pros 👎 Cons
It includes practice material and quizzes. You can learn it for free for only one month.
You can download or print the certification and share it with others.

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/become-an-ethical-hacker

FAQ

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.

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.

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.

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.

Best Ethical Hacking Courses & Online Training Classes

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 Learn More
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate Coursera • Cyber Threat Intelligence
• Penetration Testing 		Beginner 3 Months Yes Learn More
Ethical Hacker Udacity • Introduction to Ethical Hacking
• Audit ExampleCorp project 		eginner 2 Month No Learn More
Hacking in Practice Udemy • Introduction to Cyber Threats.
• Popular IT Security Myths. 		Beginner 27 hours 20 minutes Yes Learn More
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Cybrary • System hacking.
• Wireless Network Hacking. 		Intermediate 29 hours 13 minutes Yes Learn More
You Might Like: