cybersecurity / network security
Network Security, Free
Most attacks travel over the network — so understanding traffic is a security superpower. Learn the fundamentals, then master the two tools every practitioner lives in: Wireshark and Nmap. All resources free and current.
To secure a network you first have to see it. Network security is about understanding how packets flow, spotting what shouldn't be there, and knowing how attackers probe and pivot. Build the foundations with a structured course, then get fluent with Wireshark (to inspect traffic) and Nmap (to discover and map hosts) — the two tools you'll use in almost every engagement.
01 · FOUNDATIONS
Learn the fundamentals
How networks work and how they're defended.
- Cisco Networking Academy ↗Free networking and network-security courses from Cisco — the authority on how networks actually work. Completion badges included.netacad.com
- Fortinet Training Institute ↗Free, self-paced network-security training and certification tracks from a leading firewall vendor.training.fortinet.com
02 · THE TOOLS
Wireshark & Nmap
The two tools every network defender and attacker relies on.
- Wireshark Documentation ↗The world's foremost network protocol analyzer — capture and inspect live traffic packet by packet. Free, with a great official user guide.wireshark.org
- Nmap Network Scanning (free book) ↗The official, free online book for Nmap — host discovery, port scanning, and the NSE scripting engine, from the tool's creator.nmap.org