How to become a hacker?

Hackers can manipulate and crack things, hackers are dangerous. A good entry so. I do, however, often get the question of how I ended up in this field. In addition, there are people who are also interested in becoming hacker, but don't really know where to start. That's why I give in this blog 6 tips that answer the question: How do you become a hacker?

1. Determine if you have the correct hacker mindset

Of course, we can't give a simple answer to the question ' How to become a hacker '. If you don't have the mindset to want to know how everything works, and the builders of systems to be smart, then you're not going to learn that by a blog post. But if you are already on the way, there are a few handles that we can give you.

As a hacker, I just look at IT solutions differently than the creator or user. Where a maker assumes that software is used in a certain way, a hacker always tries to find unintended ways of use. That's the goal, that's the sport. This mindset is important for a hacker, but also for someone trying to defend themselves from hackers. By just looking at something different from functionalities, the interesting entry points for hackers can often be identified quickly.

A hacker mindset is partly innate, but also comes with experience. A good starting point is to solve challenges on websites such as certified Secure or Netforce. Each challenge is based on a specific security issue, the challenge can be achieved by abusing the security vulnerability. A very good other way is to find vulnerabilities in open source software by examining the source code and reporting it to the builders.

2. Get knowledge of computers and networks

Perhaps abundant, but handy with computers helps very much in this field. Learn to work with different operating systems like Windows, Linux and Mac OSX. Make sure you can work in this, but also know how to work under the hood. Set up your own server and hang it on the internet (but don't put any important data on it until you can also secure it properly). If that was successful, you can go one step further in figuring out how the operating system is assembled by creating more complex setups, using other operating systems, and ultimately reading the source code to understand how they really work.

Also, thorough knowledge in the field of networks and the Internet is a must. As a hacker you need to know how digital communication works. Set up a network, familiarize yourself with common network techniques such as routing and VPNs. But note: As the next paragraph also shows, security has long been no longer purely scrolling with firewalls and tweaking configurations.

3. Learning Programming

To find vulnerabilities in software, you need to know how software works. I always say: "To be able to demolish something you must first know how you made it". Knowledge of various programming languages and technologies is therefore essential. Not only do you need to understand software in general, but also be able to form a ' mental model ' or image of how the system you are investigating is inside. You crawl into the skin of the programmer and the system administrator, consider what they have done and where they may have overlooked something. To be good at this, it helps to read a lot of source code and check for security errors.

In addition to finding out how something intersects, a hacker regularly comes up in situations where existing tools are not adequate and therefore a tool must be built to demonstrate a vulnerability. Here too, it helps if you have at least one programming language in which you can quickly script something.

4. Be curious and inquisitive

The world of security never stands still, that makes this field so fun too! You never get learned, but you need to keep your knowledge up-to-date. The race between makers and hackers ensures that software becomes increasingly safer, but hackers also know how to get smarter tricks to circumvent security anyway. Stay active to track security news and publications around conferences and follow Twitter accounts from well-known security companies and individuals.

5. Follow training

A training for hackers does not yet exist but (technical) computer science training fortunately though. Such training gives you a solid IT base and is certainly useful. If you want the maker of a system to be smart, you need to know as much as himself. That means a very thorough knowledge of software, networks and computers in general. An IT training is a great start for this, but also no more than a start.

Some colleges offer specialisations such as ICT and cyber security and cyber security. Some universities offer bachelor's and master's degree programmes in the field of security. For example, there is a bachelor training in Cyber Security and master programmes Information Security Technology.

There are also a number of certifications for pentesting and information security. They each have their place, but in no way do you learn from a to Z how to become a pentester or hacker. OSCP is a fairly specific technical certification in which you gain some experience with the intrusion of networks and the use of exploits. CISSP is once again a very broad certification where you get a helicopter view of the security field. Ultimately, however, it is about the mindset and the knowledge you have, and certifications do not say so much about it.

6. Become an active part of the subculture

Techies are looking at each other at conferences and in common areas such as hacker spaces. At semi-anarchist conferences such as Defcon, Hack-in-the-Box and CCC, the hacker-culture is dedicated. For hackers a good opportunity to get acquainted with new business, to follow workshops and to get social contacts with fellow hackers. Because even though you can be the best hacker in the world in your attic room, it helps to learn from the experiences of others and share your passion.