Free Resources to Master Web Hacking Like a Pro
Unlocking the world of web hacking doesn’t require a paid course or elite access.
Below is a carefully curated list of rare, free online courses, tools, and platforms that offer in-depth, hands-on training in ethical hacking and web exploitation — ideal for beginners to advanced learners looking to level up fast.
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1. PortSwigger Web Security Academy
A free, practical platform offering real-world simulated labs on everything from XSS, SQLi, CSRF, to modern web vulnerabilities like HTTP request smuggling and DOM-based issues.
→ https://portswigger.net/web-security
Highlights:
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2. OWASP Juice Shop
An intentionally vulnerable modern web app to test your hacking skills in a gamified, self-hosted environment.
→ https://owasp.org/www-project-juice-shop/
Highlights:
Covers OWASP Top 10
Gamified challenges with a scoreboard
Works on Docker, Heroku, or locally
Open source and regularly updated
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3. HackTheBox Academy (Free Modules)
A learning platform from HackTheBox offering free foundational paths in Linux, Networking, and Web Security Basics.
→ https://academy.hackthebox.com
Highlights:
Browser-based hands-on labs
Focus on practical exploitation
Earn progress-based certificates
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4. Web Security Dojo
A portable VM preloaded with hacking tools and vulnerable apps. Great for offline practice and penetration testing.
→ https://github.com/websecalpha/websecuritydojo
Highlights:
Works without Internet
Ready-to-use training labs
Includes Burp Suite, ZAP, and vulnerable apps
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5. Hacker101 by HackerOne
Includes beginner-friendly video tutorials, real-world CTF challenges, and bug bounty simulation environments.
→ https://www.hacker101.com
Highlights:
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6. PayloadsAllTheThings (GitHub)
A massive archive of payloads, cheat sheets, and bypass techniques for almost every known vulnerability.
→ https://github.com/swisskyrepo/PayloadsAllTheThings
Highlights:
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7. PentesterLab (Free Badges)
Earn free badges by completing web hacking labs that walk through real-world flaws using guided exercises.
→ https://pentesterlab.com
Highlights:
Offers certificate-backed free courses
Vulnerabilities: SSRF, XXE, JWT, and more
Ideal for structured progression
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8. Google Gruyere
A beginner-friendly vulnerable app built to demonstrate basic web app bugs through step-by-step tutorials.
→ https://google-gruyere.appspot.com
Highlights:
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9. bWAPP (Buggy Web App)
A PHP-based vulnerable app with over 100+ web bugs across categories like HTML5, Flash, LDAP, and AJAX.
→ http://www.itsecgames.com
Highlights:
Easily hosted with XAMPP or WAMP
Ideal for Burp Suite/ZAP practice
Teaches both common and advanced flaws
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10. DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web App)
One of the oldest and most popular vulnerable applications used in infosec bootcamps and CTFs.
→ http://www.dvwa.co.uk
Highlights:
Four levels of difficulty (Low to Impossible)
Great for learning brute force, command injection, and file upload flaws
Lightweight and simple to host
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11. TryHackMe: Web Hacking Rooms (Free)
TryHackMe offers numerous free web hacking rooms and beginner-friendly paths like “Web Fundamentals” and “OWASP Top 10”.
→ https://tryhackme.com
Highlights:
Guided and interactive learning
Built-in Linux terminal and attack box
Free certification paths available
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12. OWASP Broken Web Applications Project
A downloadable VM that includes multiple vulnerable apps like WebGoat, Mutillidae, and DVWA.
→ https://owasp.org/www-project-broken-web-applications/
Highlights:
All-in-one VM lab environment
Great for bootcamps and offline training
Ideal for instructors or learners setting up full labs
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13. HackThisSite.org
An old-school but still effective online platform offering security challenges and realistic web hacking missions.
→ https://www.hackthissite.org
Highlights:
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14. WebGoat by OWASP
A deliberately insecure app maintained by OWASP for learning application security lessons.
→ https://owasp.org/www-project-webgoat/
Highlights:
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15. VulnHub Web CTF Machines
VulnHub hosts downloadable VMs designed for ethical hacking and CTF-style learning, many focused solely on web vulnerabilities.
→ https://www.vulnhub.com
Highlights:
Works with VirtualBox or VMware
Community-contributed challenges
Focus on web, privilege escalation, and enumeration
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Bonus Tip: Use Burp Suite Community Edition
Enhance your hands-on testing with Burp Suite CE, a free tool from PortSwigger ideal for intercepting, manipulating, and testing web requests.
→ https://portswigger.net/burp/communitydownload
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Final Words
These tools and resources offer legally safe, highly practical training in modern web exploitation. Whether you’re preparing for bug bounties, CTFs, or a career in cybersecurity, this curated set delivers everything you need — for free.
