10 Best Ethical Hacking Courses, Certification, Training and Tutorial
Ethical hacking is the process of attempting to breach the security of a system or network with permission, in order to evaluate its security.
They aim to collect and analyze information to devise strategies to strengthen the system’s security, network, or applications.
The best ethical hacking courses are essential for anyone looking to build a successful career in cybersecurity.
Whether you’re a beginner searching for an ethical hacking course free of cost or a professional aiming to earn a certified ethical hacker course credential, there are numerous options to help you gain the necessary skills.
The best ethical hacking course will cover critical areas like penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and defensive strategies to prepare you for real-world cyber threats.
Many platforms offer ethical hacking courses tailored to different skill levels, including ethical hacking training courses that provide hands-on experience and practical knowledge.
If your goal is to earn an ethical hacking certification or an ethical hacker certification, choosing the right certified ethical hacking course can significantly enhance your credibility and career prospects.
Many ethical hackers earn certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) to validate their skills and professionalism.
Understanding Ethical Hacking and Courses
An ethical hacker is a cybersecurity expert who is authorized to break into computer systems, networks, and applications to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.
Ethical hackers play a crucial role in industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology, where data protection is critical.
With cyber threats on the rise, ethical hacking is one of the most in-demand career paths in cybersecurity.
Ethical hackers not only help prevent data breaches and financial loss but also ensure compliance with security regulations.
Their work supports safe digital environments and builds public trust in technology.
Ethical hacking involves legally testing systems to find and fix vulnerabilities.
Beginners can start with an ethical hacking course online free or a free ethical hacking course to learn basics like pen testing and vulnerability assessment.
To advance, many pursue the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, a globally recognized ethical hacking certification from EC-Council.
Through CEH courses, candidates build strong knowledge and skills, preparing for the CEH exam.
Although the cost of ethical hacking certification varies, the career benefits are high, with roles such as penetration tester offering strong salary potential for those with an ethical hacking certification.
Certified ethical hackers are in demand across industries, making this a valuable path for future cybersecurity professionals.
10 Best Ethical Hacking Courses, Certification, Training and Tutorial
01.Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) (Coursera)
This beginner-friendly course introduces learners to essential ethical hacking skills and cybersecurity concepts.
Developed by EC-Council, it focuses on the hacker mindset, system vulnerabilities, and various phases of ethical hacking—like reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, and maintaining access.
Learners get a solid grounding in scanning, enumeration, and system penetration.
Key Features:
- Industry-recognized content from EC-Council
- No prior experience needed
- Includes hands-on labs and quizzes
- Earn a shareable certificate
No of Students Enrolled: 65,104+
Rating: 4.6 Out of 5
Link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ethical-hacking-essentials-ehe
02. Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch (Udemy)
One of Udemy’s most popular ethical hacking courses, it teaches how to ethically hack networks, crack Wi-Fi, bypass security, and more using practical real-world scenarios.
It focuses on network hacking, gaining access, and post-exploitation.
Perfect for beginners and intermediate learners wanting a hands-on approach.
Key Features:
- Hands-on training with live examples
- Covers Wi-Fi, website, and network hacking
- Lifetime access
- Certificate on completion
No of Students Enrolled: 651,845+
Rating: 4.6 Out of 5
Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/learn-ethical-hacking-from-scratch/
03. Learn Social Engineering From Scratch (Udemy)
This course offers a deep and practical exploration into social engineering, the psychological side of hacking.
You’ll learn how attackers manipulate human behaviour to gain access to sensitive systems and data. Designed for both aspiring operating systems and cybersecurity enthusiasts.
It provides step-by-step guidance using real-life scenarios and attack simulations.
Key Features:
- Focused entirely on social engineering attacks
- Hands-on demonstrations and labs
- Learn tools like SET, Beef, Empire, and Gophish
- Understand phishing, fake websites, credential harvesting
- Taught by industry expert Zaid Sabih
No of Students Enrolled: 7,871 +
Rating: 4.7 Out of 5
Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/learn-social-engineering-from-scratch/?couponCode=ST16MT230625B
04. Ethical Hacker (Udacity)
This course covers the full spectrum of ethical hacking—from reconnaissance and scanning to gaining access and post-exploitation.
You’ll learn how to think like a hacker to proactively identify and fix vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
The curriculum is developed with guidance from industry professionals and includes practical labs, projects, and tools used by ethical hackers.
Key Features:
- In-depth modules on reconnaissance, scanning, and system exploitation
- Real-world hands-on projects and labs
- Covers web app attacks, Wi-Fi hacking, and penetration testing
- Includes Kali Linux, Metasploit, Nmap, and Burp Suite
- Personal mentor support and project feedback
Rating: 4.1 Out of 5
Link: https://www.udacity.com/course/ethical-hacker-nanodegree–nd350
05. Ethical Hacking: An Introduction (Futurelearn)
This introductory course offers a clear and accessible overview of ethical hacking and cybersecurity principles, designed especially for beginners.
It explores the mindset and responsibilities of ethical hackers, the tools they use, and the legal and ethical frameworks they operate within.
You’ll learn how hackers think, how systems can be exploited, and how ethical hacking helps protect organizations from cyber threats.
It’s ideal for learners with little or no technical background who are curious about starting a career in cybersecurity.
Key Features:
- Developed by Coventry University
- Covers ethical hacking concepts, legal issues, and cyber ethics
- Beginner-friendly—no prior experience needed
- Includes interactive exercises, videos, and quizzes
- Learn about attack types and hacker methodologies
No of Students Enrolled: 21,345+
Rating: 4.4 Out of 5
Link: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ethical-hacking-an-introduction
06. Diploma in Ethical Hacking (Alison)
It is designed for learners who want to understand how cyberattacks are carried out and how to protect against them.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including footprinting, system hacking, sniffing, malware threats, denial-of-service attacks, and cryptography.
Whether you’re a beginner or an IT professional, this self-paced course helps build foundational and practical knowledge for securing networks and systems.
Key Features:
- Covers penetration testing, malware analysis, sniffers, and DoS attacks
- Includes modules on firewalls, cryptography, and hacking tools
- Self-paced learning with no deadlines
- Suitable for beginners and intermediate learners
No of Students Enrolled: 121,132+
Link: https://alison.com/course/diploma-in-ethical-hacking
07. Ethical Hacking; Basic Concepts of Networking (Futurelearn)
This course focuses on the fundamental networking concepts that every ethical hacker needs to know.
Before diving into hacking techniques, it’s essential to understand how networks operate—and this course provides exactly that foundation.
Topics include IP addressing, OSI and TCP/IP models, DNS, protocols, ports, and common networking devices.
It’s ideal for beginners preparing to pursue more advanced ethical hacking or cybersecurity courses.
Key Features:
- Covers network architecture, IP classes, protocols, and subnetting
- Introduces key concepts like firewalls, switches, and routers
- Free course content with optional certification
- Great starting point for aspiring ethical hackers and IT learners
No of Students Enrolled: 18,054+
Link: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ethical-hacking-an-introduction
08. Professional Ethical Hacking (Alison)
Learners gain advanced skills in identifying, exploiting, and mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
It goes beyond the basics to cover professional-grade hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies used in real-world penetration testing and network security assessments.
You’ll explore areas like reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, system hacking, and Linux command-line operations—all essential for ethical hackers working in the field.
Key Features:
- Advanced-level content suitable for aspiring professionals
- Focuses on Kali Linux tools, scanning, and system exploitation
- Includes lessons on foot printing, information gathering, and network scanning
- Learn command-line skills and security analysis techniques
No of Students Enrolled: 26,499+
Link: https://alison.com/course/professional-ethical-hacking
09. Diploma in Ethical Hacking Techniques for Beginners and Experts (Alison)
This diploma-level course offers a complete journey through ethical hacking, tailored for both beginners and experienced learners.
It provides a deep dive into a wide range of hacking techniques and cybersecurity practices—starting from foundational concepts to more advanced exploitation methods.
You’ll learn about malware, keylogging, DoS attacks, SQL injection, and vulnerability scanning, along with the ethical and legal frameworks that guide ethical hacking in the real world.
Key Features:
- Designed for all skill levels, from beginner to expert
- Covers system hacking, password cracking, social engineering, and more
- Learn network scanning, sniffing, and cryptography techniques
- Explore real-world attack simulations and prevention strategies
No of Students Enrolled: 33,035+
Link: https://alison.com/course/diploma-in-ethical-hacking-techniques-for-beginners-and-experts
10. Ethical Hacking (edX)
This course is designed to give learners a hands-on introduction to ethical hacking and cybersecurity principles.
Ideal for beginners, this course offers a taste of how hackers think and operate—while emphasizing ethical practices and defensive strategies.
Through guided labs and practical exercises, you’ll explore vulnerabilities in systems and learn basic tools used in ethical hacking.
Key Features:
- Beginner-friendly interactive experience
- Focus on real-world hacking scenarios and tools
- Learn core concepts like vulnerabilities, system testing, and hacker tactics
- Self-paced and ideal for quick skill-building
No of Students Enrolled: 24,769+
Link: https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/edx-try-it-ethical-hacking
11. Complete Ethical Hacking Course 2025 : Go From Zero to Hero (Udemy)
It’s designed to help you build a strong foundation in cybersecurity and ethical hacking, using a step-by-step approach with real-world simulations.
You’ll learn how to set up your own hacking lab, understand key tools like Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Wireshark, and practice techniques including system hacking, wireless attacks, social engineering, SQL injection, and more.
The course is highly practical, with emphasis on learning by doing, and is constantly updated to reflect the latest in cybersecurity threats and defences.
Key Features:
- Complete roadmap from beginner to advanced ethical hacker
- Learn to set up a virtual hacking lab using Kali Linux and VirtualBox
- Covers network scanning, system exploitation, and wireless hacking
- Real-world attacks: phishing, social engineering, password cracking
- Use top tools: Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, Hydra, Aircrack-ng
No of Students Enrolled: 50,200+
Rating: 4.3 Out of 5
Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/new-the-complete-ethical-hacking-course-2024zero-to-hero/
12. Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) (edX)
It introduces learners to the core concepts of ethical hacking and cybersecurity.
It is ideal for anyone beginning their journey into information security.
The course covers a wide range of modern attack surfaces—including web applications, networks, wireless systems, mobile, IoT, and cloud platforms.
This course prepares you for entry-level cybersecurity roles by offering hands-on practice and practical knowledge aligned with current industry demands.
Key Features:
- Complete roadmap from beginner to advanced ethical hacker
- Covers threats, vulnerabilities, and hacker techniques
- Includes network, web, wireless, mobile, IoT, and cloud attack vectors
- Prepares for entry-level cybersecurity roles
No of Students Enrolled: 23,382+
Rating: 4.6 Out of 5
Link: https://www.edx.org/learn/information-security/ec-council-ethical-hacking-essentials-ehe
The Future of Ethical Hacking
As technology evolves, so do cyber threats.
The rise of AI, cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain has created new security challenges, and ethical hackers will be at the forefront of addressing them.
Organizations are increasingly investing in ethical hacking certifications for their security teams, while governments are enforcing stricter compliance standards.
This trend ensures that ethical hacking will continue to be a high-growth, high-demand field.
With continuous learning and upskilling, cybersecurity professionals in this space can stay ahead of cybercriminals and play a key role in shaping a safer digital future.
Wrapping Up: Best Ethical Hacking Courses & Certification Online
In a world where cyber threats continue to grow in complexity and frequency, ethical hackers have become essential defenders of digital security.
Ethical hacking is a vital and fast-growing field within cybersecurity, offering exciting opportunities for those with a passion for problem-solving and digital defence.
Unlike malicious hackers, ethical hackers—also known as white-hat hackers—work legally and responsibly to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity.
Whether you’re starting with a free ethical hacking course or working toward the prestigious CEH credential, there are plenty of opportunities to build a successful career in this field.
With strong career prospects, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to make a real impact, ethical hacking is not just a job—it’s a mission to secure the digital world for everyone.
As businesses continue to prioritize security, the demand for certified ethical hackers will only increase—making now the perfect time to start your journey into ethical hacking.
Some Common FAQS on Best Ethical Hacking Courses
1. What is meant by ethical hacking?
Ethical hacking is the authorized process of testing computer systems, networks, or applications to find security vulnerabilities. It’s done legally by cybersecurity professionals to strengthen system defenses before malicious hackers can exploit them.
2. Is ethical hacking a job?
Yes, ethical hacking is a recognized career in the cybersecurity field. Professionals in this role are often called ethical hackers, penetration testers, or security analysts, and they work for companies, governments, or as freelancers.
3. What is the best course for ethical hacking?
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course by EC-Council is one of the most respected and widely accepted certifications. It covers advanced hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies. For beginners, platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and edX offer excellent foundational courses.
4. Can I study ethical hacking online?
Yes, you can study ethical hacking entirely online. There are both free and paid courses available, including interactive labs and certification training.
5. Which type of ethical hacking is best?
The best type depends on your interest, but network penetration testing, web application security, and cloud security are highly in demand.
6. Is ethical hacking a good career?
Yes, ethical hacking is a promising career with strong job growth, competitive salaries, and global demand. It offers roles in various industries and is ideal for those passionate about cybersecurity, problem-solving, and digital protection.
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