// the arsenal
Resource index
118 hand-picked platforms, tools, references, and communities. Search everything, or filter by price.
Practice Platforms
Guided labs, wargames, and live CTFs to build skills legally.
Hack The Box
freemiumRetired and active machines, Pro Labs, and the HTB Academy course catalog.
hackthebox.comTryHackMe
freemiumBrowser-based guided rooms and learning paths for beginners through intermediate.
tryhackme.comPortSwigger Web Security Academy
freeThe best free web hacking curriculum, with hundreds of interactive labs.
portswigger.netOverTheWire
freeClassic SSH wargames. Start with Bandit to learn Linux fundamentals.
overthewire.orgpicoCTF
freeCarnegie Mellon's beginner-friendly CTF with a year-round practice gym.
picoctf.orgpwn.college
freeASU's structured course on binary exploitation and systems security.
pwn.collegeRoot Me
freemiumHundreds of challenges across web, crypto, forensics, and app-system.
root-me.orgPentesterLab
freemiumExercise-driven web and code review training with badges per topic.
pentesterlab.comVulnHub
freeDownloadable vulnerable VMs for offline boot-to-root practice.
vulnhub.comHacker101
freeHackerOne's free video lessons and CTF that can earn you private program invites.
hacker101.comExploit Education
freeVMs for learning memory corruption, format strings, and exploit development.
exploit.educationCTFtime
freeCalendar, team rankings, and writeups for every major CTF.
ctftime.org
Self-Hosted Labs
Intentionally vulnerable targets you can run on your own hardware.
OWASP Juice Shop
freeModern, deliberately insecure web app covering the full OWASP Top 10.
owasp.orgDVWA
freeDamn Vulnerable Web Application. PHP and MySQL with adjustable difficulty.
github.comOWASP crAPI
freeCompletely Ridiculous API, built to teach the OWASP API Security Top 10.
github.comGOAD
freeGame of Active Directory. A multi-domain AD lab for attack practice.
github.comMetasploitable 2
freeRapid7's intentionally vulnerable Linux VM for exploitation practice.
docs.rapid7.comCloudGoat
freeVulnerable-by-design AWS scenarios deployed to your own account.
github.com
Web Application
Proxies, fuzzers, scanners, and methodology for web targets.
Burp Suite
freemiumThe industry-standard intercepting proxy. Community edition is free.
portswigger.netZAP
freeOpen source intercepting proxy and automated scanner.
zaproxy.orgffuf
freeFast web fuzzer for content discovery, vhosts, and parameters.
github.comsqlmap
freeAutomatic SQL injection detection and exploitation.
sqlmap.orgNuclei
freeTemplate-driven vulnerability scanner with a large community template set.
github.comOWASP Top 10
freeThe canonical awareness list of critical web application risks.
owasp.orgOWASP WSTG
freeWeb Security Testing Guide. A complete web pentest methodology.
owasp.orgCaido
freemiumLightweight, modern web security auditing toolkit and Burp alternative.
caido.iojwt_tool
freeTest and analyze JSON Web Tokens for common misconfigurations.
github.comPayloadsAllTheThings
freePayloads and bypasses for every common web vulnerability class.
github.com
Recon & OSINT
Map the attack surface before you touch it.
Nmap
freeNetwork discovery and port scanning, plus the NSE scripting engine.
nmap.orgOWASP Amass
freeIn-depth attack surface mapping and subdomain enumeration.
github.comsubfinder
freeFast passive subdomain discovery from dozens of sources.
github.comtheHarvester
freeGathers emails, names, hosts, and subdomains from public sources.
github.comShodan
freemiumSearch engine for internet-connected devices and exposed services.
shodan.iocrt.sh
freeCertificate Transparency log search for finding subdomains.
crt.shhttpx
freeFast HTTP prober for titles, status codes, and tech detection across many hosts.
github.comWayback Machine
freeHistorical snapshots reveal old endpoints, parameters, and forgotten files.
web.archive.orgOSINT Framework
freeA browsable tree of OSINT tools organized by data type.
osintframework.com
Exploitation & Post-Exploitation
Frameworks, exploit databases, privilege escalation, and Active Directory.
Metasploit
freemiumThe exploitation framework. Modules, payloads, and post-exploitation.
metasploit.comExploit-DB
freeArchive of public exploits and proof-of-concept code, searchable with searchsploit.
exploit-db.comImpacket
freePython classes and scripts for Windows network protocols.
github.comNetExec
freeNetwork execution tool for SMB, LDAP, WinRM, and more. Successor to CrackMapExec.
github.comBloodHound
freeGraph-based Active Directory and Entra ID attack path analysis.
github.comPEASS-ng
freeLinPEAS and WinPEAS privilege escalation enumeration scripts.
github.comGTFOBins
freeUnix binaries that can bypass local security restrictions.
gtfobins.github.ioLOLBAS
freeLiving Off The Land binaries and scripts for Windows.
lolbas-project.github.io
Reverse Engineering & Binary
Disassemblers, debuggers, and exploit development.
Ghidra
freeNSA's open source reverse engineering suite with a solid decompiler.
ghidra-sre.orgBinary Ninja
freemiumModern RE platform with a clean API. Free cloud version available.
binary.ninjaCutter
freeOpen source GUI reverse engineering platform powered by Rizin.
cutter.rex64dbg
freeOpen source x64 and x32 debugger for Windows.
x64dbg.comGEF
freeGDB Enhanced Features for exploit development and reversing.
github.compwntools
freePython CTF framework and exploit development library.
github.comNightmare
freeAn intro to binary exploitation and RE built around past CTF challenges.
guyinatuxedo.github.io
Crypto & Passwords
Encoding, cryptanalysis, hash cracking, and wordlists.
CyberChef
freeThe cyber Swiss army knife for encoding, decoding, and data analysis.
gchq.github.ioCryptoHack
freeFun, progressive challenges for learning modern cryptography attacks.
cryptohack.orgHashcat
freeWorld's fastest GPU password recovery tool.
hashcat.netJohn the Ripper
freeVersatile password cracker with many format converters (*2john).
openwall.comSecLists
freeThe wordlist collection: usernames, passwords, URLs, fuzzing payloads.
github.com
Forensics & Blue Team
Know how attacks are detected and investigated.
MITRE ATT&CK
freeKnowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques.
attack.mitre.orgWireshark
freeThe network protocol analyzer for packet capture and inspection.
wireshark.orgVolatility 3
freeMemory forensics framework for Windows, Linux, and macOS images.
github.comAutopsy
freeDigital forensics platform and GUI for The Sleuth Kit.
autopsy.comSigma
freeGeneric detection rule format with a large open rule repository.
github.comCyberDefenders
freemiumBlue team labs for DFIR, threat hunting, and SOC analysis.
cyberdefenders.orgBlue Team Labs Online
freemiumDefensive challenges and investigations in a gamified format.
blueteamlabs.online
Mobile
Android and iOS application security testing.
OWASP MAS
freeMASVS and MASTG. The mobile app security standard and testing guide.
mas.owasp.orgFrida
freeDynamic instrumentation toolkit for hooking apps at runtime.
frida.reobjection
freeRuntime mobile exploration powered by Frida. No jailbreak required.
github.comjadx
freeDex to Java decompiler for Android APKs.
github.comMobSF
freeAutomated static and dynamic analysis for Android and iOS apps.
github.com
Cloud
AWS, Azure, and GCP attack and audit tooling.
flAWS
freeA series of AWS misconfiguration challenges served from S3.
flaws.cloudPacu
freeAWS exploitation framework for offensive cloud assessments.
github.comProwler
freeOpen source security auditing for AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes.
github.comHackTricks Cloud
freeCloud and CI/CD pentesting techniques across every major provider.
cloud.hacktricks.wiki
References & Cheatsheets
Keep these open in a tab during every engagement.
HackTricks
freeMassive wiki of pentesting techniques organized by service and platform.
book.hacktricks.wikiThe Hacker Recipes
freeClear, well-sourced recipes, especially strong on Active Directory.
thehacker.recipesReverse Shell Generator
freeGenerate reverse and bind shell one-liners for your engagement.
revshells.comNVD
freeNIST's National Vulnerability Database for CVE details and scoring.
nvd.nist.gov0xdf hacks stuff
freeDetailed writeups for nearly every Hack The Box machine.
0xdf.gitlab.ioippsec.rocks
freeSearch IppSec's videos by technique to find exactly where it is used.
ippsec.rocks
Bug Bounty
Get paid to find bugs in programs that invite you to.
HackerOne
freeLargest bug bounty platform. Hacktivity is a goldmine of disclosed reports.
hackerone.comBugcrowd
freeBug bounty and VDP programs with a published vulnerability taxonomy.
bugcrowd.comIntigriti
freeEuropean bug bounty platform, known for its monthly XSS challenges.
intigriti.comYesWeHack
freeGlobal bug bounty platform with a free training Dojo.
yeswehack.com
Videos, Blogs & Podcasts
Stay sharp and stay current.
IppSec
freeMethodical Hack The Box walkthroughs. The gold standard.
youtube.comLiveOverflow
freeDeep, curious explorations of binary exploitation and web security.
youtube.comJohn Hammond
freeCTF walkthroughs, malware analysis, and security news.
youtube.comPortSwigger Research
freeCutting-edge web attack research from the Burp Suite team.
portswigger.netGoogle Project Zero
freeIn-depth vulnerability research from Google's elite team.
googleprojectzero.blogspot.comRisky Business
freeLong-running weekly security news podcast for practitioners.
risky.bizCritical Thinking
freeBug bounty podcast by and for full-time hunters.
criticalthinkingpodcast.ioDarknet Diaries
freeTrue stories from the dark side of the internet.
darknetdiaries.com
Certifications
Hands-on certs that hiring managers actually respect.
OSCP (PEN-200)
paidOffSec's well-known 24-hour practical penetration testing exam.
offsec.comHTB Academy
paidCourse paths leading to the CPTS, CBBH, and CDSA certifications.
academy.hackthebox.comPNPT
paidTCM Security's practical network pentest exam with a report and debrief.
certifications.tcm-sec.comGIAC
paidSANS-aligned certifications across offense, defense, and forensics.
giac.org
AI & LLM Security
Prompt injection, model abuse, and red teaming the newest attack surface.
OWASP GenAI Security Project
freeHome of the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications and agentic AI guidance.
genai.owasp.orgMITRE ATLAS
freeATT&CK-style knowledge base of adversary techniques against AI systems.
atlas.mitre.orgGandalf
freeGame that teaches prompt injection by tricking an LLM into revealing a password.
gandalf.lakera.aigarak
freeNVIDIA's LLM vulnerability scanner for probing models you are testing.
github.comPyRIT
freeMicrosoft's framework for red teaming generative AI systems.
github.com
Hardware, Wireless & IoT
Radios, firmware, and the physical layer most testers never touch.
Aircrack-ng
freeSuite for auditing Wi-Fi networks you own: monitoring, capture, and analysis.
aircrack-ng.orgKismet
freeWireless network and device detector, sniffer, and WIDS.
kismetwireless.netGreat Scott Gadgets
paidMakers of HackRF One and other open source radio and USB hardware.
greatscottgadgets.comChipWhisperer
freemiumOpen source toolchain for learning side-channel and fault injection attacks.
github.combinwalk
freeFirmware analysis tool for finding and extracting embedded files.
github.com
Smart Contracts & Web3
Where a single bug can cost millions, and audits pay accordingly.
Ethernaut
freeOpenZeppelin's wargame of vulnerable Solidity contracts.
ethernaut.openzeppelin.comDamn Vulnerable DeFi
freeOffensive security challenges for DeFi protocols.
damnvulnerabledefi.xyzSlither
freeStatic analyzer for Solidity from Trail of Bits.
github.comFoundry
freeFast Solidity toolkit for testing, fuzzing, and writing proofs of concept.
getfoundry.sh
Books
Depth you cannot get from videos. Worth every page.
Hacking: The Art of Exploitation
paidJon Erickson's classic on how exploits really work at the memory level.
nostarch.comBlack Hat Python
paidBuild your own security tools in Python, from sniffers to proxies.
nostarch.comReal-World Bug Hunting
paidPeter Yaworski walks through paid bug bounty reports by vulnerability class.
nostarch.comPractical Malware Analysis
paidThe standard text on dissecting malicious software safely.
nostarch.comLinux Basics for Hackers
paidBeginner-friendly Linux, networking, and scripting with a security focus.
nostarch.com
Operating Systems
Purpose-built distributions and VM setups.
Kali Linux
freeThe most widely used penetration testing distribution.
kali.orgParrot Security
freeDebian-based security distro with a lighter footprint.
parrotsec.orgREMnux
freeLinux toolkit for reverse engineering and analyzing malware.
remnux.orgFLARE-VM
freeMandiant's Windows setup scripts for malware analysis VMs.
github.com
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