I want to learn ethical hacking and network security. Are there any free resources for learning tech skills that provide a legal and safe environment to practice these techniques? I'm worried about accidentally doing something illegal while trying to learn.
3 answers
Hack The Box is great once you have the basics down. It's a bit harder than TryHackMe but very rewarding for hands-on practice.
TryHackMe is arguably the best starting point. They have a "Complete Beginner" path, and many of their basic rooms are free. It’s a safe, browser-based environment where you can learn Linux, networking, and basic exploitation. OverTheWire is another fantastic set of free resources for learning tech skills through "wargames" that teach you the command line. For more structured learning, look at Cybrary’s free tier or the "Junior Cybersecurity Analyst" path on Cisco Networking Academy. They provide a solid foundation without needing an expensive lab setup at home, which is great for staying within legal boundaries.
Does anyone know if these platforms help with getting ready for the CompTIA Security+ exam?
Russell, absolutely. Professor Messer’s YouTube channel is one of the top free resources for learning tech skills specifically for CompTIA exams. He has full video series that are high-quality and free. Combine that with the free practice labs on TryHackMe, and you’ll be well-prepared for the actual exam.
HTB definitely has a steeper learning curve, but their "Academy" has some really good free introductory modules now too.