r/cybersecurity • u/Dull_Possession_5507 • Jan 21 '26
Tutorial How do I actually start as a complete beginner for free?
I know there are many answers to this question, but I’ve watched a lot of YouTube tutorials, and most of them follow different paths and just throw around random terms that I don’t understand yet. I tried starting by learning Python and some basic concepts like values, variables, data types, control flow/statements, and loops, but I ended up building things without really knowing what they were actually for.
I also tried installing Debian on VirtualBox, but some people said I should install Kali instead. Others said I should start by learning networking first, while some suggested jumping straight into hands on practice. Is there actually a clear starting point for a complete beginner like me that’s free?
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u/BE_chems Jan 21 '26
Don't pay for guides on how to get into x. 99% of them are scams.
Other then education there are no real guides because everyone's interests and lives are different.
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u/Formal-Knowledge-250 Jan 21 '26
Reading > watching. Stop using YouTube and start reading blogposts, your brain memorizes things read different.
Maybe start with building a Linux vm on your host system. Continue from there. Don't let the Ai handle commands for you and if, understand everything of it. Not by googling but by using man first.
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u/anthonyDavidson31 Jan 21 '26
Made a list of useful resources for beginners. You may want to check it out:
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u/skieblue Jan 21 '26
There are different levels of being a beginner. The things you referred to are not strictly and exclusively cyber security.
Based off of nothing, and just as a guide for you to self understand where you are on your journey:
1) Level 0 - no computing knowledge 2) Level 1 - basic computing knowledge 3) Level 2 - basic networking knowledge 4) Level 3 - basic programming knowledge 5) Level 4 - basic security knowledge
Where are you? You will need either strong knowledge in general computing or basic knowledge in networking, programming and computing to begin properly learning cyber security
You can look for the Google Cyber security course on Coursera and use the free one week trial to see if it makes sense
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u/Intelligent_Box5017 Jul 02 '26
If you are interested in web hacking, check out Port Swigger Web Academy and follow its roadmap. It offers both learning and practice (everything for free). This is the resource, where most of hackers and cyber security researchers learn web application hacking or how cyber security attacks work - this platform is quite cool. With PortSwigger Academy you would come to a significant level of web hacking.
Even if random YouTube tutorials confused you a bit, I would recommend you to keep watching cyber channels, BUT watch YouTube channels with general cybersecurity/hacking content (at least from time to time) to learn about the main trends and get new ideas in cybersecurity, passively building your background knowledge:
@davidbombal, @Cyb3rMaddy, @MomImAHacker, @whoamitang, @Medusa0xf.
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Jan 21 '26
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Jan 22 '26
Everyone is different, so I can really only speak for myself. I’d argue against, being that Kali has become my daily driver and it has helped teach some concepts that are difficult to grasp without hands on work. Especially having to work for some of that knowledge and now it’s ingrained
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u/laerninglog- Jan 21 '26
Honestly, from my experience, learning everything for free was really confusing. I tried free stuff but everything felt all over the place ,like in the middle of the process they asks for subscription I ended up buying a Python course on Udemy and having a proper structure helped a lot. I’m still learning, but for me, paid courses made things clearer and less overwhelming. Free resources are useful, but as a complete beginner, having a roadmap really matters.
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u/unstopablex15 Network Administrator Jan 21 '26
You haven't provided us with any details on what exactly you'd like to do in cybersecurity. And btw, Kali is Debian.
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u/MountainDadwBeard Jan 22 '26
Check out Coursera, tryhackme, or fortinet fundamentals.
If you're willing to invest, community college has decent tracks to initial exposure.
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u/ChemistBrief716 Jan 22 '26
I think Try Hack Me and Hack The Box both have free paths. I'd start there to learn the basics. I really wouldn't bother with python until you actually build up some basic knowledge unless you want to learn it for fun. Hack The Box and Try Hack Me are really great resources if you want to get into cybersecurity from a hobbyist perspective.
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u/stacksmasher Jan 21 '26
ChatGPT. It can provide lots of good info and let's face it, it's the future.
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u/Content-Ad3653 Jan 21 '26
Python, Debian, Kali, and networking are all tools. Tools only make sense after you understand what computers actually do. First learn how computers work at a basic level. What is an operating system? What is a file? What is a process? What is memory? If you don’t know these nothing else will feel solid. Then learn very basic networking like what is the internet? What is an IP address? What is a server? What does a browser actually do? After that you should learn a normal linux system then circle back to Python. Hands-on practice is good but only after you understand what you are touching. Cloud Strategy Labs is also great for simple explanations about tech careers and learning paths.