Ethical Hacking — Bilkul Basic Se & One-Page Printable Checklist — Ethical Hacking & Security (Sandeep-Style)

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Short summary: Ethical hacking ka matlab hota hai systems ki kamzoriyaan dhundhna — lekin hamesha permission leke, taaki unko theek kiya ja sake. Ab hum bilkul zero se shuru karenge.

1) Agar mujhe hacking seekhni hai — bilkul basic se kya karna chahiye?

  1. Intent (Mansha) sahi rakho: Sirf ethical / legal kaam.
  2. Computer basics samjho: CPU, RAM, HDD/SSD, OS (Windows/Linux).
  3. Networking basics: IP kya hai, router kya karta hai, ports ka matlab, DNS kya hai.
  4. Programming basics: Python ek accha start hai; shell scripting (bash) bhi zaroori.
  5. Linux seekho: Terminal commands aur file permissions.
  6. Practice environment: Virtual machines (VM) ya lab sites (TryHackMe/HackTheBox) — hamesha legal lab pe practice karo.
  7. Tools sikho: nmap, wireshark, metasploit, burp — pehle concepts, phir tools.
  8. Defense bhi seekho: Apna device secure kaise rakhen — password, updates, VPN, firewall.

2) Step-by-step — Day 1 (bilkul pehla din) — kya karna chahiye

Goal: Computer aur OS ka basic samajhna.

  • Computer parts: CPU = brain, RAM = temporary memory, SSD/HDD = permanent storage.
  • Hardware vs Software ka difference.
  • Operating System kya hota hai (Windows, Linux, macOS).
  • Simple activity: Notepad open kar ke apne PC ki info likho — Processor, RAM, Storage, OS.
  • Commands try karo (Windows): ipconfig (network), systeminfo (system details).

Agar aap chaho, Day-by-Day plan bana sakte ho — har din chhote tasks.

3) Day 2 — Operating System aur File System basics (aaj se hi kar sakte ho)

Goal: OS aur file/folder structure achhi tarah samajhna.

  • Windows vs Linux: Windows friendly GUI, Linux powerful terminal + security.
  • File systems: Windows → C:\Users\…, Linux → /home/username.
  • Basic Linux commands (terminal):
    • pwd — current folder,
    • ls — list files,
    • cd folder — change folder,
    • mkdir name — folder banao,
    • touch file.txt — file banao,
    • rm file.txt — delete.
  • Activity: Agar possible ho to terminal khol ke upar commands practice karo.

4) Linux OS kya hai? (Simple)

  • Linux ek free, open-source operating system hai. Secure aur flexible hota hai.
  • Android bhi Linux ke upar bana hua hai (concept).
  • Popular distributions (distros): Ubuntu (beginner friendly), Kali (security tools ke saath).
  • Kyon use karte hain? Hacking tools mostly Linux pe hoti hain, terminal se control asaan hota hai, aur zyada secure environment milta hai.

5) Linux apne laptop me kaise install karu? (Basic steps)

Agar aap beginner ho, dual-boot recommended hai (Windows safe rahega).

Requirements: 8GB USB (bootable), Ubuntu/Kali ISO (~3.5GB), Rufus (Windows tool), 25+ GB free space.

Steps (short):

  1. ISO download karo (Ubuntu ka official ISO).
  2. Rufus download kar ke USB bootable banao (instructions niche).
  3. Laptop ko USB se boot karo (boot menu: F12/F10/Esc depending on brand).
  4. Ubuntu installer chalao → “Install alongside Windows” choose karo (dual-boot).
  5. Installation complete → restart. Boot menu aayega: Windows ya Ubuntu choose karne ke liye.

6) Install karne ke baad kya chalega? (Gmail, Chrome, FB, Insta, ChatGPT)

  • Haan, browser-based services (Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, ChatGPT) sahi chalengi Linux par.
  • Chrome/Firefox Linux ke liye available hain → web versions se sab use kar sakte ho.
  • Mobile apps jaisi native Android/iOS apps Linux me nahi chalengi, magar web versions perfect hain.
  • Office documents: LibreOffice ya Google Docs use karo.

7) 8GB USB drive kya hoti hai? (Bilkul basic)

  • USB drive / pen drive ek chhoti removable storage device hoti hai jo USB port me lagti hai.
  • 8GB ka matlab storage capacity = roughly 1–2 movies ya ek OS ISO (Ubuntu ~3.5GB) ke liye kaafi.
  • Bootable USB banane ke liye generally 8GB recommended.

8) USB drive bootable kyun banate hain?

  • Bootable USB ek aisi pen drive hoti hai jisse computer seedha boot (start) kar sakta hai aur usme se OS install ya run kar sakta hai.
  • ISO file ko USB me ek special structure me copy karke banate hain (sirf normal copy-paste se nahi hota).
  • Pehle CD/DVD use hote the; aaj USB fast aur convenient hai.

9) Rufus se USB bootable kaise banate hain? (Step-by-step, Windows)

  1. Rufus download aur run karo (exe file).
  2. USB drive lagao. Rufus me Device me USB choose karo.
  3. Boot selection me SELECT pe click karke Ubuntu ISO choose karo.
  4. Partition scheme: modern laptops → GPT, old BIOS → MBR (agar unsure, GPT try karo).
  5. Start pe click karo → warning aayegi “All data will be destroyed” → OK.
  6. Process complete hone par status READY dikhega — USB bootable ho gaya.

Ab is USB se laptop boot kar ke Linux install / try kar sakte ho.

10) Linux install karne ke baad kya Windows band ho jayega? (Dual boot case)

  • Nahi, agar aap “Install alongside Windows” (dual-boot) choose karte ho to Windows safe rahega.
  • Boot menu aayega: har boot par aap choose kar sakte ho — Windows ya Linux.
  • Only if aap “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” choose karoge tab Windows delete ho jayega — beginner ke liye avoid karo.

11) VPN kya hota hai? Kiska hota hai? Kyun use karte hain? Fayde kya hain? Examples?

VPN (Virtual Private Network) = aapke device aur internet ke beech ek secure encrypted tunnel.

  • Kiska malik hota hai? Alag-alag companies chalati hain: ProtonVPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark etc. Kuch free, kuch paid.
  • Kyuse use karte hain?
    • Public Wi-Fi pe secure browsing (hacker sniffing se bachne ke liye).
    • Apna IP chhupane ke liye (geo-restricted content access).
    • Company employees remote network access karne ke liye (private VPN).
  • Fayde: Privacy, anonymity, secure connection on public Wi-Fi, bypass geo-blocks.
  • Examples: ProtonVPN (trusted, free tier), NordVPN (paid), company private VPN (sirf employees ke liye).

12) Practical tips aur chhote commands (start karne ke liye)

  • Windows: ipconfig, systeminfo, netstat -an
  • Linux: pwd, ls, cd, ifconfig/ip a, chmod, whoami
  • DNS lookup: nslookup example.com
  • Ping: ping google.com
  • Traceroute: tracert google.com (Windows) / traceroute (Linux)
  • Port scan (lab only, with permission): nmap -sS target_ip

13) Short checklist — ab kya karo (action items)

  1. Day 1: Computer basics practice; apne PC ki details note karo.
  2. Day 2: Terminal basics (Linux commands) practice karo.
  3. Download: Ubuntu ISO (jab USB ready ho).
  4. USB: 8GB USB le ao; Rufus se bootable banao.
  5. Install: Dual-boot option se Ubuntu install karo.
  6. Practice safely: Use VM or lab machines for active scans.
  7. Secure your devices: Strong passwords, guest account, Windows Defender, VPN on public Wi-Fi.

14) Short FAQs (Quick Answers)

  • Kya Chrome/Gmail/FB Linux me chalenge? → Haan, browser se sab chalenge.
  • USB bootable na ho to? → Rufus settings, partition scheme check karo; agar problem aaye to batao error.
  • Dual-boot se performance slow hota hai? → Nahi — jab aap Linux use kar rahe ho to Windows background me nahi chal raha. Performance same rahegi.
  • Free VPN safe hai kya? → Kuch free VPNs data sell karte hain—trusted ones choose karo (ProtonVPN jaise).

Aakhri baat (encouragement):

Aapne bahut accha start kiya hai. Agar chaho to main aapko Day-by-Day exact tasks for first 30 days bana ke de sakta hoon (har din ka activity + commands + checkpoints). Ya agar aap USB lekar ready ho jao to Rufus se bootable banana aur live install step-by-step screen-by-screen bata dunga.

Preparation (Before you start)

  • Purpose & ethics: I will only test systems I own or have written permission for.
  • Backup: Full system backup created (Windows System Image / external drive).
  • Recovery plan: Windows recovery USB / restore media ready.
  • Tools ready: USB (≥8GB), Rufus, Ubuntu/Kali ISO, OBS (for recording), Notepad.

System & Account Security

  • Strong local account password (mix upper/lower/digits/symbols).
  • Lock screen shortcut known (Win + L).
  • Guest user created for lending laptop (Standard account).
  • BitLocker or disk encryption enabled (if Windows Pro).
  • Windows Update and automatic updates ON.
  • Windows Defender (or trusted AV) active + latest definitions.

Network & Router Hygiene

  • Router admin login changed from default (username/password).
  • SSID hidden or renamed (avoid default names).
  • Strong Wi-Fi password (WPA2/WPA3) set.
  • Guest network enabled for visitors (isolated).
  • MAC filtering / client whitelist enabled (optional).
  • Router logging enabled if available (for future audits).

Safe Connectivity & VPN

  • Avoid public Wi-Fi without VPN.
  • Free VPN checked (ProtonVPN) or paid trusted VPN chosen.
  • Test VPN: whatismyip before & after to verify change.

Device & App Hygiene

  • Audit installed apps; remove unknown apps.
  • Permission audit: revoke Camera, Mic, Location for unnecessary apps.
  • Disable USB autorun.
  • Install Access Dots (Android) / GlassWire for monitoring (if mobile).
  • Malware scan (Malwarebytes) run.

For Recon & Lab Work (Ethical)

  • Use Kali or Ubuntu in VM or dual-boot only on test/owned machines.
  • Create bootable USB (Rufus + Ubuntu/Kali ISO).
  • Basic commands practiced: pwd, ls, cd, mkdir, touch, chmod, ifconfig/ip a, whoami.
  • Network tools ready: nmap, wireshark (use only on allowed networks), whois, dig/nslookup, traceroute.

Incident / Theft Response

  • Note device IMEI / serial and keep in safe place.
  • Enable Find My Device (Android/iOS) and test login.
  • If stolen: Immediately file FIR + cybercrime complaint + provide IMEI.

Recording & Content (if making demo videos)

  • OBS configured (Display capture + Audio Input).
  • Test recording: sound + screen + save location.
  • Large video plan: ensure ample storage & use CapCut/Clipchamp/DaVinci for editing.

Legal & Ethical Reminder

  • I will not scan, access, or attack any system without explicit permission.
  • For pentests, use written scope and authorization.
  • Use bug bounty programs or lab platforms (TryHackMe, HackTheBox, PortSwigger) for practice.

30-Day Hands-On Learning Plan — Practical & Daily Tasks

Goal: From zero → able to perform safe reconnaissance, basic Linux, and common defensive actions.

Week 1 — Foundations (Days 1–7)

Day 1: Computer basics — CPU, RAM, storage. Create Day1_Computer_Info.txt.
Day 2: OS & file systems — explore Windows folders and basic Linux FS mapping.
Day 3: Install Ubuntu ISO (download) and prepare checklist for USB.
Day 4: Learn basic terminal commands (pwd, ls, cd, mkdir, touch, rm). Practice.
Day 5: Learn ipconfig / ifconfig / ip a. Note private/public IP differences.
Day 6: DNS & HTTP/HTTPS: run nslookup google.com, visit whatismyip.
Day 7: Recap & mini-quiz (self test commands + save notes).

Week 2 — Linux & Environment (Days 8–14)

Day 8: Create bootable USB with Rufus (practice). Try “Try Ubuntu” live.
Day 9: Install Ubuntu dual-boot (or VM). Follow safe steps.
Day 10: File permissions: ls -l, chmod, create executable script test.sh.
Day 11: Install tools: nmap, whois, dnsutils (dig/nslookup), net-tools.
Day 12: Practice whois example.com, nslookup, traceroute. Save outputs.
Day 13: Learn grep, cat, less, tail — reading logs and outputs.
Day 14: Build a small lab folder: hackinglab with notes & scripts.

Week 3 — Networking & Recon (Days 15–21)

Day 15: Deep dive IP & Ports — what ports mean & common ports list.
Day 16: Nmap basics: nmap -sS target (use on your lab VM). Interpret results.
Day 17: Wireshark basics — capture on your home network (ethical use only).
Day 18: Passive recon: whois, shodan browsing, haveibeenpwned check.
Day 19: Active recon practice on lab VM: ping, traceroute, nmap full scan.
Day 20: Learn netstat -an, ss -tuln to see open ports and listeners.
Day 21: Summarize findings: create a recon report for a lab VM.

Week 4 — Defense, Detection & Practical Tools (Days 22–30)

Day 22: Secure laptop checklist: password, firewall, Windows Defender scan.
Day 23: Mobile audit: permissions, Access Dots, GlassWire, remove suspicious apps.
Day 24: Router management: login, connected devices list, MAC filter, change admin creds.
Day 25: VPN use: install ProtonVPN, test IP change & safety on public Wi-Fi.
Day 26: Anti-theft: enable Find My Device, record IMEI, make recovery plan.
Day 27: Packet capture analysis: read simple HTTP vs HTTPS flows in Wireshark (lab only).
Day 28: Build a simple Bash script that logs whoami, date, ip a to file.
Day 29: Practice safe reporting: write a short vulnerability report for your lab machine (include scope, findings, remediation).
Day 30: Review & Next steps: choose one specialty (Web App sec, Network sec, Malware analysis), and plan next 60 days.

Extra Resources & Tools (short list)

  • TryHackMe, HackTheBox, PortSwigger (practice labs).
  • Tools: nmap, wireshark, metasploit (advanced), Burp Suite, WiFi tools (aircrack suite — advanced, legal caution).
  • For videos & editing: OBS, CapCut (PC), Clipchamp, DaVinci Resolve.

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