Ultimate Step-by-Step Roadmap to Becoming a Master Hacker
PHASE 1: COMPUTER & PROGRAMMING BASICS (0-3 Months)
Before hacking, you must understand how computers and coding work.
1.1 Learn How Computers Work
✅ What to Learn:
      How CPU, RAM, Storage, OS, Networking, and the Internet work
      File systems (Windows, Linux)
      How programs run in memory
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      Computer Science Crash Course (YouTube)
      CS50 – Harvard’s Free Computer Science Course
      Book: Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software – Charles
       Petzold
1.2 Learn a Programming Language (Python First!)
✅ What to Learn:
      Python Basics: Variables, Loops, Functions, Lists, Dictionaries
      Writing simple automation scripts
      Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      Python for Beginners – W3Schools
      Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (Free Book)
      Book: Python Crash Course – Eric Matthes
1.3 Learn Linux (Because Hackers Use Linux!)
✅ What to Learn:
      Basic Linux Commands (ls, cd, mkdir, rm, chmod, sudo, etc.)
      File permissions and process management
      Bash scripting
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      Linux Journey – Free Interactive Guide
      OverTheWire: Bandit (Hands-on Linux Hacking)
      Book: The Linux Command Line – William Shotts
PHASE 2: NETWORKING & SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS (4-6 Months)
Hackers need deep networking knowledge to break into systems.
2.1 Learn Networking Basics
✅ What to Learn:
      IP Addresses, Subnets, TCP/IP, UDP, DNS
      HTTP, HTTPS, SSL/TLS
      Firewalls, VPNs, Proxies
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      Cisco Networking Academy (Free Course)
      Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols, and Practice – Free Book
      Book: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach – Kurose & Ross
2.2 Learn Cybersecurity Basics
✅ What to Learn:
      Password hashing & encryption (SHA, MD5, AES, RSA)
      Common vulnerabilities (SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF, Buffer Overflow)
      Basics of Malware, Ransomware, Phishing, and Social Engineering
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      Cybrary – Free Cybersecurity Courses
      Hacker101 (Bug Bounty & Web Hacking)
      Book: The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing – Patrick Engebretson
PHASE 3: ETHICAL HACKING & PENETRATION TESTING (7-12 Months)
Now, you start hacking real systems (legally!).
3.1 Learn Ethical Hacking Tools
✅ What to Learn:
      Wireshark (Packet Sniffing)
      Nmap (Network Scanning)
      Metasploit (Exploitation)
      Burp Suite (Web Hacking)
      SQLmap (Database Attacks)
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      TryHackMe (Best Hands-on Learning)
      Hack The Box (Advanced Hacking Labs)
      Book: Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking – Georgia Weidman
3.2 Learn Web Hacking & Bug Bounties
✅ What to Learn:
      How to hack websites, APIs, and databases
      OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities
      Find bugs in real companies (Google, Facebook, Apple)
📚 Best Books & Resources:
      PortSwigger Web Security Academy
      Bugcrowd University (Free Web Hacking Lessons)
      Book: The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook – Dafydd Stuttard
NEW ADDITION: CAPTURE THE FLAG (CTF) CHALLENGES
✅ What to Learn:
       Solve real-world hacking puzzles & challenges.
       Compete with other hackers and test your skills.
       Find vulnerabilities in live systems.
📚 Best CTF Platforms:
       OverTheWire – Best for Linux & networking practice.
       TryHackMe – Hands-on beginner hacking challenges.
       Hack The Box – Advanced hacking labs.
       CTFtime – Global leaderboard for hacking competitions.
FINAL PHASE: BECOME A PROFESSIONAL HACKER & EARN MONEY (2+ Years)
Now, you can make money legally by hacking!
✅ Get Certified (To Prove Your Skills)
       Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
       Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
       CompTIA Security+
✅ Make Money with Bug Bounties
       Join HackerOne & Bugcrowd
       Companies pay $$$ for security bugs
✅ Work as a Cybersecurity Professional
       Become a Penetration Tester, Security Engineer, or Red Team Expert
🚀 Conclusion: Can You Become a Hacker Like in Movies?
YES! But real hacking is harder than movies. It takes years of practice, but if you follow this
roadmap, you can become an elite hacker.