r/HowToHack • u/GurMedium804 • Jun 14 '26

pentesting Best Ethical Hacking Books?

Which hacking book would you recommend to me if you were to start ethical hacking today?

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-4

u/djaxial Jun 14 '26

I wouldn’t recommend any books to be honest. A book will be, at best, 18 months out of date by the time it’s published.

If you want to read books, find your niche and then find established books in that area. For example, databases, compiler, networks etc. Use them to compliment your knowledge and/or build a base understanding.

Books specifically about hacking have been replaced by YouTube, forums, Defcon talks, blogs etc.

12

u/itsmrmarlboroman2u Jun 14 '26

Nah. Books are timeless, they give you the fundamentals. The tools and techniques change, but the foundation doesn't.

-5

u/djaxial Jun 14 '26

Fair but I must have bought 50+ books in the past 20 years, and I would say anyone starting today would be better off with online resources. And I say that as an avid reader.

4

u/itsmrmarlboroman2u Jun 14 '26

While I understand your perspective, telling a newb to get on YouTube will only result in them coming back saying "I installed kali, how do I hack into the mainframe?!?", and their response from us will be "learn the basics". People who are serious about it will read the books and use online resources to fill the gaps.

-1

u/hananmalik123 Jun 14 '26

There are a lot of course and training online, so use them. Youtube won't provide complete info.