10 Hacking Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

After working extensively as a security consultant with Fortune 500 companies and law enforcement, Justin Seitz updated Black Hat Python to cover the stealthier capabilities of Python 3 for hacking and pentesting. You’ll learn how to build tools like network sniffers, trojan command-and-control servers, and automated malware functions, with deep dives into libraries like ctypes and BeautifulSoup. The book covers practical hacking tactics such as privilege escalation, memory forensics, and web scraping, providing skills that sharpen your offensive security toolkit. If you aim to understand Python’s role in hacking beyond basics and craft custom tools, this book suits you well, though it assumes some programming familiarity.

Georgia Weidman, a seasoned penetration tester and founder of Bulb Security, crafts this book from her extensive experience presenting at top security conferences and conducting research in mobile hacking. You’ll learn essential pentesting skills through practical exercises using tools like Metasploit, Wireshark, and Nmap, progressing from gathering information to exploiting vulnerabilities and post-exploitation tactics. Chapters guide you through cracking passwords, testing web apps, and even writing your own exploits, with a special focus on mobile device security. If you’re diving into penetration testing, this book offers a thorough, hands-on introduction that prepares you for real-world assessments.

This tailored book explores the fundamentals and advanced tactics of hacking, crafted to match your background and interests. It covers core concepts like network vulnerabilities, penetration testing, and social engineering, as well as deeper dives into exploit development and defensive countermeasures. By focusing on your specific goals, the book reveals pathways to mastering complex hacking techniques with clarity and depth. This personalized guide synthesizes collective knowledge into a learning experience that builds your skills progressively and effectively.

Corey J. Ball brings over a decade of hands-on cybersecurity experience to this focused exploration of API security testing. You’ll get a detailed walkthrough of how REST and GraphQL APIs operate, then dive into setting up your own testing environment with tools like Burp Suite and Postman. The book doesn’t just skim the surface—it guides you through techniques such as fuzzing, JSON Web Token attacks, and NoSQL injection, with nine practical labs on vulnerable APIs that sharpen your skills. If you're aiming to identify elusive API vulnerabilities or enhance your penetration testing toolkit, this book offers clear, targeted lessons without unnecessary fluff.

Dr. Daniel G. Graham, an assistant professor at the University of Virginia and former Microsoft program manager, brings his expertise in secure embedded systems to this hands-on guide addressing modern hacking techniques. You'll start by capturing network traffic with ARP spoofing and move through practical exercises like deploying reverse shells, crafting ransomware in Python, and simulating phishing attacks. The book dives deep into advanced topics such as fuzzing for vulnerabilities, SQL injection exploits, and privilege escalation, all while teaching you to think like an ethical hacker. If you're aiming to build skills in penetration testing or malware analysis, this book offers a clear path with real tools and detailed labs, though those seeking purely theoretical discussions might find the practical focus more suited to their needs.

Erickson Karnel's background as a certified ethical hacker and global security consultant shapes this collection that unpacks hacking from multiple angles. You get a layered understanding starting with basic hacking concepts and ethical considerations, moving through security protocols, networking vulnerabilities, and hands-on Kali Linux tools. The book drills into practical topics like penetration testing, social engineering countermeasures, and wireless network exploitation, with real-world examples such as botnets and honeypots enriching your grasp. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional sharpening your toolkit or an enthusiast eager to grasp hacking fundamentals, this set offers a structured path through complex security landscapes.

This personalized book on pentesting offers a tailored exploration of focused hacking exercises designed specifically for your experience level and goals. It covers essential techniques and tools in penetration testing, helping you develop practical skills through a step-by-step progression. The book delves into network vulnerabilities, exploit development, and real-world hacking scenarios, all aligned with your unique interests to maximize learning efficiency. By bridging expert knowledge with your personal background, it reveals how to accelerate your pentesting capabilities with clear, targeted guidance. This tailored approach ensures you engage deeply with the material that matters most to you, making complex cybersecurity concepts accessible and actionable.

Joe Gray, drawing on his extensive experience as a U.S. Navy Submarine Force veteran and recognized social engineering competitor, delves into the human vulnerabilities that technology alone can't fix. You learn how attackers exploit human nature through phishing tactics like spoofing, squatting, and cloning websites, supported by case studies and detailed OSINT tool usage such as Recon-ng and theHarvester. The book balances offensive techniques with defensive measures, teaching you how to both simulate attacks and safeguard organizations by implementing technical controls and awareness programs. If you seek to understand social engineering from both attacker and defender perspectives, this primer equips you with the technical skills and strategic insights necessary for ethical hacking.

What happens when a top bug hunter turns his lens on network protocols? James Forshaw, a leading computer security researcher at Google Project Zero, delivers an expert examination of network security vulnerabilities from an attacker's perspective. You’ll learn to capture, analyze, and manipulate network traffic, reverse engineer protocols, and identify weaknesses like memory corruption and authentication bypasses. Chapters cover everything from basic packet capture to advanced fuzzing and debugging techniques, making it especially useful for penetration testers and developers eager to deepen their understanding of protocol exploitation.

After more than 15 years in cybersecurity and penetration testing, Miriam C. Wiesner crafted this detailed guide to harness PowerShell's dual role in offense and defense. You’ll learn how to configure remote management, analyze critical Windows event logs, and leverage PowerShell to interact deeply with system internals like Active Directory and Azure AD. The book offers hands-on recipes tailored for both red and blue teams, covering exploits, mitigations, and stealth techniques such as running PowerShell without the usual executable. If you’re a security pro with scripting basics, this book sharpens your tactical skills and awareness of PowerShell's security landscape with concrete examples across its 572 pages.

Unlike most hacking books that dive straight into technical exploits, Phillip L. Wylie and Kim Crawley focus on the career-building journey of becoming an ethical hacker. You’ll explore foundational IT skills such as operating systems and networking, then progress to developing a hacker mindset essential for penetration testing. The book offers a roadmap for assessing your current abilities, choosing educational paths, and leveraging certifications like CISSP and OSCP to enter the field. It also covers practical strategies for gaining experience through labs, bug bounties, and networking, making it ideal if you want a structured, realistic guide rather than just theory or tools.

Andrew Huang, an MIT-trained hacker and open hardware advocate, offers a deep dive into reverse engineering through this Xbox-focused guide. You gain practical skills in hardware hacking, soldering, and debugging, alongside a detailed look at Xbox security systems, blending technical mastery with an understanding of legal and ethical issues hackers face today. The book’s chapter from the Electronic Frontier Foundation illuminates the rights and responsibilities surrounding reverse engineering, making it a thoughtful read beyond just technical know-how. If you’re eager to explore hacking from hardware fundamentals to advanced security mechanisms, this book lays out a clear, hands-on path.