Ready to dive into the world of cybersecurity and ethical hacking without spending a dime? This exclusive list reveals a rare compilation of the most valuable free ethical hacking courses for 2025—perfect for beginners, aspiring bug bounty hunters, or seasoned professionals looking to expand their skillset!
These aren’t just basic intros; they’re courses spread across recognized platforms, taught by security experts, and designed for real-world impact. Get ready to learn how to find vulnerabilities… the legal way!
Top Free Ethical Hacking Courses You Can Start Right Now!
Introduction to Cybersecurity – Cisco Networking Academy
➤ A globally trusted entry-level course covering threat types, attack vectors, and basic security hygiene. Essential for any beginner!
Link: https://www.netacad.com/courses/cybersecurity/introduction-cybersecurity
Hacker101 – HackerOne
➤ Built by professional bug bounty hunters themselves! Includes CTF-style labs, videos, and downloadable guides. Perfect for hands-on learning.
Link: https://www.hackerone.com/hacker101
Ethical Hacking for Beginners – Great Learning
➤ A short, well-structured introduction covering footprinting, scanning, and the basics of hacking tools. Get up to speed quickly!
Link: https://www.greatlearning.in/academy/learn-for-free/courses/ethical-hacking-for-beginners
Introduction to Ethical Hacking – Cybrary
➤ A crash course that explains the core ideas and objectives of ethical hacking with engaging video modules.
Link: https://www.cybrary.it/course/introduction-to-ethical-hacking/
Cybersecurity Basics – edX (by University of Washington)
➤ An academic-level course focusing on threats, mitigation, security policies, and risk management. Great for a deeper understanding.
Link: https://www.edx.org/course/cybersecurity-basics
OWASP Top 10 Explained – Codecademy/YouTube Archives
➤ Crucial for web security! Study the top 10 most critical web application vulnerabilities, straight from OWASP’s maintained resources. (Search for “OWASP Top 10” on https://www.codecademy.com/ or YouTube).
Link: https://owasp.org/www-project-top-10/ (for the official list)
Intro to IT & Cybersecurity – CompTIA/ITProTV
➤ Non-technical to mid-level learners will benefit immensely from this foundational course with vendor-neutral insights.
Link: https://www.itprotv.com/courses/comptia/comptia-it-fundamentals-fc0-u61/ (Often includes free intro modules)
Cybersecurity Essentials – Fortinet NSE 1 to NSE 2
➤ A structured free certification path from Fortinet covering cybersecurity awareness, threat intelligence, and secure practices. Earn an industry-recognized cert!
Link: https://training.fortinet.com/ (Look for NSE 1 and NSE 2 courses)
Google Cybersecurity Career Certificate (Audit-Free via Coursera)
➤ You can audit the course for free on Coursera! Includes labs, role-based security tasks, and key cybersecurity concepts. A fantastic way to learn from Google.
Link: https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-cybersecurity (Look for the “Audit” option on individual courses within the specialization)
TryHackMe Free Rooms
➤ Practical, gamified hands-on hacking simulations covering topics from beginner to pro—absolutely great for building your portfolio and practical skills!
Link: https://tryhackme.com/ (Look for their “Free Rooms” or “Learning Paths”)
What Makes These Courses Absolutely Exceptional?
Zero cost, no strings attached! Learn from Fortune 500-level instructors and programs without paying a single rupee.
Most include certificates, interactive labs, or gamified environments to make learning engaging and practical.
They are ideal for prepping for major penetration testing certifications (like CEH or OSCP) by building a strong foundation.
Pro Strategy: Combine for Maximum Impact!
Pair Hacker101, TryHackMe, and Cisco’s Intro Course for a solid progression from beginner theory to hands-on hacking.
Then, if you’re aiming for professional credentials, branch into paid certifications like TCM Security or CEH v12.
This leaked lineup is the ultimate shortcut for anyone diving into ethical hacking—without spending a cent. Save it, bookmark it, and start exploiting vulnerabilities… the legal way!
