Tips to Explore Cybersecurity Tools

Trying to land a job in cybersecurity? Here's the secret: Skills matter more than credentials. And the best way to build those skills? Practice. Here’s how I’d start if I were you: -Set up a home lab using tools like Snort, Suricata, or Zeek. -Simulate attacks using Exploit DB and Kali Linux. -Document your findings on LinkedIn, YouTube, Medium, or GitHub.   Want to take it up a notch? -Compare IDS systems (ex. Snort, Suricata, Zeek, Wazuh etc.) -Compare integration methods (ex. Splunk vs. ELK Stack) -Present work at a conference. -Write a paper. (Ex. https://lnkd.in/g9uZmnxH)   ✍️Certificates/Degrees are great, but you won't go far if you can't talk about the concepts! Projects show initiative. Plus, it helps with small talk during interviews. Here’s a few examples with links: 1.Monitor Your Home Network: -Set up Snort: https://www.snort.org/ -Ex. Use it to log and analyze traffic—like web browsing or SSH connections. 2.Simulate Attacks in a Safe Environment -Download Kali Linux and Metasploitable2: https://lnkd.in/gzebUBeE -Ex. Run mock attacks (port scans, brute force attempts, etc.) and test detection ability. 3. Write Your Own Rules -Create custom Snort rules to detect behaviors: https://lnkd.in/g7PUp4H2 -Ex. Blocking access to admin pages or spotting malicious uploads. 4.Visualize Your Findings -Integrate Snort with Splunk or ELK Stack to build dashboards: https://www.splunk.com/ -Ex. Visualize alerts, traffic trends, and risks. 5. Practice with Real Vulnerabilities -Use the Exploit-DB to explore known exploits: https://lnkd.in/gGs8QHfT -Simulate attacks in your lab and see how Snort responds. Start small. Experiment. Build confidence. You GOT THIS! 🤩

FREE Hands-On Cybersecurity Labs You Can Start Today One of the biggest challenges I hear from people trying to break into cybersecurity is this: “How do I get hands-on experience when I haven’t had a job to get hands-on experience?” I feel you. Trust me! We see job posts asking for 2 years of practical skills just to be considered “entry-level.” But here’s the truth: 📌 You don’t need a job to start building skills. You just need the right tools. So I pulled together some of the best FREE labs that’ll let you get real-world experience from your laptop. These are the same tools people use to learn pentesting, threat hunting, and more — all with zero cost. 🧠 12 Free Hands-On Cyber Labs 1️⃣ Hack The Box – Starting Point Beginner-friendly path with step-by-step guidance 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gE-yWGcR 2️⃣ Hack The Box Academy – Linux Fundamentals Master Linux commands and navigation — essential for hacking 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gimTehrY 3️⃣ Hack The Box Academy – Networking 101 Understand IPs, ports, packets, and protocols 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gSXUW2Rm 4️⃣ TryHackMe – Vulnversity A guided penetration test from recon to privilege escalation 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gB8_xpgX 5️⃣ TryHackMe – OWASP Top 10 (2021) Learn and exploit common web app vulnerabilities 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gTeQRf3p 6️⃣ TryHackMe – Mr. Robot CTF A challenge inspired by the Mr. Robot TV show 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gCSzpt7W 7️⃣ TryHackMe – Blue Exploit the EternalBlue Windows vulnerability (MS17-010) 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gqWGVENp 8️⃣ TryHackMe – Juice Shop Hack a purposely vulnerable web app used in the industry 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gHEC7V4s 9️⃣ CyberDefenders – Blue Team Labs Practice DFIR, threat hunting, SIEM, and more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gaB4TGNV 🔟 RangeForce Community Edition Interactive, browser-based defensive training modules 🔗 https://lnkd.in/giBCVYFz 1️⃣1️⃣ Immersive Labs Community Labs and simulations across red and blue team skills 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gfKuiF_Q 1️⃣2️⃣ PicoCTF by Carnegie Mellon A free CTF platform for all skill levels 🔗 https://picoctf.org 🔑 Major Key: ✅ You don’t need permission to start. ✅ Practice consistently — even 30 minutes a day adds up. ✅ Track your progress like it’s your job. ✅ Document what you learn — that becomes your proof. Most people won’t put in the reps. If you do, you’ll separate yourself. 📣 Know someone who needs this? Tag them. Let’s grow together 💪 #CyberSecurity #TryHackMe #HackTheBox #FreeResources #BlueTeam #EntryLevelCyber #LearnToHack #RedTeam #MajorKey #LinkedInFam

🚀 Cyber Curious? Try Before You Apply. This is another one for Cyber Students and Career Changers: Are you thinking of becoming a digital defender, ethical hacker, or cyber analyst but not sure what that means? Good news: You don’t need a job offer (or a computer science degree) to start exploring. These hands-on platforms let you try risk-free, commitment-free, and budget-friendly cybersecurity roles. 🧑🏽💻🎮 🛠️ Try These Cyber Roles Like a Pro: 1️⃣ TryCyber 🎯 Built for beginners—this site lets you walk through real-life scenarios like a Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst, digital forensics agent, or risk assessor. 🔗 https://www.trycyber.us 2️⃣ CyberStart 🎮 Originally designed for high schoolers—but don’t let that fool you. CyberStart’s gamified platform is highly engaging for all ages. Solve puzzles and hack systems (legally), and learn foundational cyber skills. 🔗 https://www.cyberstart.com 3️⃣ RangeForce Community Edition 💻 Want blue team training? Simulate defending real-world infrastructure with these free cyber defense modules. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/egmJxbJ8 4️⃣ Blue Team Labs Online (BTLO) 🧩 Test your threat hunter or forensic analyst skills with real-world logs and data challenges. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e8nX79q2 5️⃣ TryHackMe (Beginner Labs Section) 🌐 While often used for red teaming, THM has “Intro to Cyber” rooms and guided paths for blue team, web security, and SOC analyst training. 🔗 https://tryhackme.com ✨ Why this matters: Exploring cybersecurity roles before committing helps you: ✔️ Discover what fits your brain 🧠 ✔️ Build portfolio experience 📁 ✔️ Talk confidently in interviews 🗣️ 📔Note: This does not endorse any particular site or vendor. They are all very cool tools and available for use. Use your cyber sense when clicking on any and all environments and platforms. 😅 💬 Which role do you want to try first? Or if you’ve already dabbled, have I missed one? Drop your favorite lab training platform below! 👇🏾 #CyberCareers #TryCyber #CyberCurious #CareerChange #BlueTeam #RedTeam #CyberBeginners #WorkforceResilience #DrResiliency #CyberIsForEveryone #HandsOnCybersecurity #WomenInCyber #NextGenCyber Cyberminds Research Institute