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    Ethical Hacking Courses

    Ethical hacking courses can help you learn how to identify and fix security vulnerabilities by testing systems and networks in a lawful and responsible way.

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    Find the Best Ethical Hacking Course for Your Goals

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools

      Skills you'll gain: Threat Detection, Penetration Testing, Exploit development, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Management, Linux Administration, Incident Response, Vulnerability Scanning, Cyber Security Assessment, Vulnerability Management, Vulnerability Assessments, Cybersecurity, Network Security, Network Monitoring, Bash (Scripting Language), Network Troubleshooting, Anomaly Detection, Cyber Attacks, Computer Security, Network Analysis

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      76 reviews

      Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      E

      EC-Council

      Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE)

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Threat Modeling, Cloud Security, Vulnerability Assessments, Network Security, Threat Detection, Security Awareness, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Cyber Attacks, Application Security, Web Applications, Mobile Security, Internet Of Things, Authentications, Encryption, Wireless Networks

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      571 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      L

      LearnKartS

      Certified Ethical Hacking (v12)

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Network Security, Cryptography

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      261 reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      P

      Packt

      The Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp: Beginner To Advanced

      Skills you'll gain: Linux Commands, Metasploit, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Linux, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Scanning, Command-Line Interface, Exploitation techniques, Scripting, Vulnerability Assessments, Scripting Languages, General Networking, Python Programming, Web Applications, Cybersecurity, Firewall, Network Security, Cyber Operations, Data Ethics, Wireless Networks

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      40 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux

      Skills you'll gain: Linux Administration, Bash (Scripting Language), Network Monitoring, Cyber Security Assessment, Exploit development, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, System Configuration, Virtual Machines

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      29 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      L

      LearnKartS

      Ethical Hacking Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Cyber Security Assessment, Cybersecurity, Security Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Network Security, Exploitation techniques, Malware Protection, Application Security, Security Awareness, Web Servers, Network Analysis

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      183 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    What brings you to Coursera today?

    • Status: Preview
      Preview
      S

      SAE Institute México

      Ethical Hacking

      Skills you'll gain: Exploitation techniques, Vulnerability Scanning, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Security, Network Security, Computer Networking, Network Protocols

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google

      Foundations of Cybersecurity

      Skills you'll gain: Cybersecurity, Security Controls, Cyber Attacks, Security Management, Cyber Security Strategy, Incident Response, Cyber Risk, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Information Assurance, Data Ethics, Network Analysis, Ethical Standards And Conduct

      Build toward a degree

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      37K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Introduction to Ethical Hacking

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, MITRE ATT&CK Framework, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Cyber Security Assessment, Metasploit, Public Key Infrastructure, Exploit development, Exploitation techniques, Threat Modeling, Cybersecurity, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Cryptography, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Mobile Security, Cyber Operations, Security Testing, Vulnerability Scanning, Network Security, Operating Systems, Encryption

      3.5
      Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      13 reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Security & Ethical Hacking: Attacking the Network

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Network Security, Network Monitoring, Exploitation techniques, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Cryptographic Protocols, Network Protocols, General Networking, Computer Networking, Command-Line Interface, Network Analysis, Proxy Servers

      Build toward a degree

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Security and Ethical Hacking

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Network Security, Exploitation techniques, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Cyber Security Assessment, Unix, Computer Security, Network Monitoring, Application Security, Vulnerability Assessments, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Cryptographic Protocols, Network Protocols, Cryptography, Security Awareness, Generative AI Agents, Server Side, Web Applications, Machine Learning Algorithms

      4.3
      Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9 reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      E

      EC-Council

      Cybersecurity Attack and Defense Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Network Security, Threat Modeling, Mobile Security, Cloud Security, Vulnerability Assessments, Public Key Infrastructure, Cryptography, Security Controls, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Authorization (Computing), Security Awareness, Cloud Computing, Encryption, Malware Protection, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Identity and Access Management, Cyber Attacks, Data Integrity

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      746 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Searches related to ethical hacking

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular ethical hacking courses

    • IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools: IBM
    • Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE): EC-Council
    • Certified Ethical Hacking (v12): LearnKartS
    • The Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp: Beginner To Advanced: Packt
    • Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux: IBM
    • Ethical Hacking Fundamentals: LearnKartS
    • Ethical Hacking: SAE Institute México
    • Foundations of Cybersecurity: Google
    • Introduction to Ethical Hacking: Johns Hopkins University
    • Security & Ethical Hacking: Attacking the Network: University of Colorado Boulder

    Why Learn Ethical Hacking?

    Ethical hacking involves simulating cyberattacks to uncover weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them. It's a critical part of cybersecurity, helping organizations strengthen their defenses and protect sensitive data. Learning ethical hacking can equip you with hands-on skills in penetration testing, network security, and threat analysis—supporting careers in IT security and ethical tech practices.

    Skills you can learn in Computer Security And Networks

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Ethical Hacking

    Browse the ethical hacking courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

    • Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE): EC-Council
    • Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux: IBM
    • Foundations of Cybersecurity: Google
    • Ethical Hacking Fundamentals: LearnKartS
    • Ethical Hacking: SAE Institute Mxico
    • Security & Ethical Hacking: Attacking the Network: University of Colorado Boulder‎

    Start by clarifying your goal—whether you're exploring cybersecurity for the first time, preparing for certification (like CEH), or building practical skills in penetration testing.

    • For a hands-on, job-ready path, try the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which includes ethical hacking concepts.
    • Interested in practical techniques? Explore Introduction to Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking by Johns Hopkins University.
    • If you're looking for a focused introduction to ethical hacking, consider The Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp: Beginner To Advanced Specialization from Packt.‎

    These courses are well-suited for learners new to cybersecurity or ethical hacking—no prior experience required:

    • Ethical Hacking Essentials by EC-Council – Covers the basics of information security threats and vulnerability assessments.
    • Cybersecurity for Everyone by the University of Maryland – An accessible introduction to key cybersecurity concepts.
    • Foundations of Cybersecurity – Beginner-friendly, with a focus on tools and methodologies used by ethical hackers.‎
    • A course focuses on a specific skill or tool—like Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking or Operating Systems: Overview, Administration, and Security.
    • A Specialization combines courses to build layered expertise—such as Cybersecurity Attack and Defense Fundamentals Specialization, which builds toward secure systems thinking.
    • A Professional Certificate prepares you for job roles and certifications with practical labs and capstone projects—like IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Certificate or Information Security Analyst Certificate, both of which touch on ethical hacking.‎

    Whether for cybersecurity, penetration testing, or personal interest, having a clear goal when learning ethical hacking is essential. Regular practice in network scanning, vulnerability assessment, and exploiting systems is necessary. Join communities like Reddit’s r/netsec or ethical hacking forums for tips and knowledge sharing. Work on real projects by participating in Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges. Introduction to Ethical Hacking Specialization by John Hopkins University provides a good starting point for beginners new to ethical hacking.‎

    Yes. You can start learning ethical hacking on Coursera for free in two ways:

    • Preview the first module of many ethical hacking courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
    • Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

    If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in ethical hacking, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

    You’ll learn how to identify and exploit system vulnerabilities, perform penetration testing, and use tools like Nmap, Wireshark, and Metasploit. Courses also cover legal and ethical considerations and how to build secure systems to prevent attacks.‎

    Some courses are beginner-friendly and introduce security concepts step by step. However, familiarity with computer networks, operating systems, and basic programming can help you understand advanced techniques and tools.‎

    Yes. Ethical hacking skills are in high demand for roles like penetration tester, security analyst, and cybersecurity engineer. Coursera courses can help you build a foundational knowledge base, prepare for certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), and earn certificates to showcase your skills to employers.‎

    The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification validates your skills in identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities using the same tools as malicious hackers. It covers topics like penetration testing, network security, and threat analysis. Courses like Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization from NYU on Coursera offer foundational knowledge to help you prepare for CEH training.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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