This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other Amazon websites.
This article showcases our top picks for the
Books To Learn Hacking. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article
This list is in no particular order.
This product was recommended by David Attard from CollectiveRay
Hacking is a way to get inside a person’s computer and read their files and data. In my perspective, the best book for learning hacking is Computer hacking: a beginner’s guide. It is a one-stop solution to learn and grasp the basic and advanced lessons of hacking. The book also provides a wide knowledge of the programs and steps needed for hacking. The main advantage of the book is that it explains the concept of ethical and unethical hacking to a way of high extent.
This product was recommended by Daniel Sathyanesan from Winden
The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing by Patrick Engebretson is an excellent book for teaching necessary skills in a practical–and ethical–manner. We have enough immoral hackers in the world, but Engebretson’s book shows the useful application for those skills, which can help coders in preventing malicious attacks and making software more secure.
This product was recommended by Madilyn Hill from Truepersonfinder
This book provides the reader with a step-by-step guide to help learn how to hack websites, smartphones, wireless networks and complete a penetration test for your computer. There are three main reasons why you should read this book. The first reason for you to read this book is that online security is becoming more and more important in today’s society. The second reason for you to read this book is that people who have never hacked a computer before will learn from the resources provided in this book and find out all the secrets of hacking. The third reason for you to read this book is that hackers are always looking for new ways to get into people’s computers and the best way to protect your computer is to understand how a hacker can get inside. The resource that comes with this book covers everything you need to know about hacking including how to hack websites, smartphones, wireless networks, and complete a penetration test.
This product was recommended by Mike Ward from The Finances Hub
It is a must-read book that covers the foundations of networking, security, hacking, etc. It also explains some advanced-level concepts like mobile security, security testing, and other effective ways of network protection. I particularly like Matthew’s idea to keep things simple and easy to understand. The book rarely goes into too many technical details and has lots of case studies and questions at the end of each chapter.
This product was recommended by Lily Wright from VisualHunt
This is a great hacking book that encourages the readers to understand networking and security. I like how the book emphasizes thinking like a hacker; it encourages creativity and exploring new avenues. The book explains several important points using examples and covers many hacking areas. It is a very insightful book and clears some deep concepts on hacking. So be sure to set apart some time to go through the book thoroughly.
This product was recommended by Shiv Gupta from Incrementors Web Solutions
This book relates the true story of Kevin Mitnick, a computer hacker who was at his peak between 1979 and 1995 when he was ultimately apprehended by the FBI after years on the run. This book does an excellent job of describing how the mind of a hacker works and what motivates them. It provides an in-depth peek into the Hacker’s thoughts, which is why I found this book to be quite useful.
This product was recommended by Shiv Gupta from Incrementors Web Solutions
When it comes to hacking books, The Red Team Field Manual is a must-have. This is not a study guide, but rather a Red Team Reference Guide. The fundamental syntax of widely used Linux and Windows commands is included in this book. Python scripts and Windows PowerShell hints are also included. When I go on an assignment or any hacking-related vacation, I always bring this book with me. I’ve also added a lot of personal comments and additions to it. I recommend getting a copy for the price. Put it beneath your pillow at night and have it on you at all times. This is a fantastic small book.
This product was recommended by Phillip Villegas from Three Pedal Mafia
Ethical Hacking is being utilised to train the next generation of offensive security specialists. It is a crash course in modern hacking tactics. You’ll learn important skills for any aspiring penetration tester or security researcher in the book’s many hands-on laboratories. In the advanced chapters, you’ll learn how to check for new vulnerabilities, create trojans and rootkits, use SQL injection to exploit websites, and escalate privileges to extract credentials.
This product was recommended by Kathleen Ahmmed from USCarJunker
This is one of the most commercially successful hacking resource books in the market, as it is not only thorough on website security, but also because the author doesn’t just spoon-feed you with facts, as he follows an efficient approach that makes you think at every point. It is also well-organized and offers a ton of real-world best practices and scenarios, with the first few chapters covering major web components and potential vulnerabilities, and the subsequent chapters discussing hack steps for sessions, databases, etc. This makes it a great book for both beginners and intermediate learners looking to consistently build up their knowledge base and test their abilities.
This product was recommended by Tara Orcutt from Veggieslicious
Hacking School Discipline is a promising addition to the restorative practise literature. The book is built on student connections and is jam-packed with actionable takeaways, techniques, and reflections to help kids achieve social, emotional, and academic success! It offers realistic advice and techniques based on real-life scenarios, guided by the imperatives of changing behaviour while maintaining the relationship. For educators and administrators, this is a must-read.
This product was recommended by Megan Moore from Photography-Lighting
This book by Zaid Sabih will help you to understand exactly how computer systems work and where their vulnerabilities lie. It will also exploit weaknesses and hack into machines to test their security. Most importantly, this book will teach you everything you need to know about ethical hacking and how to secure your systems from hackers.
This product was recommended by Daniel G. Leone from NJ Law Results
Cyber Security is one of the best books to read if you want to learn about ethical hacking, and it also explains the importance of cyber security. This book also explores how malware and cyber attackers operate, and provides an introduction to digital signatures and cryptography.
This product was recommended by Lyle Florez from EasyPeopleSearch
This is an excellent foundational book for beginners and the finest books to learn to hack, especially for those new to networking, security, and hacking. The author employs straightforward language and provides comprehensive explanations of the main themes. It is primarily a theory book with little emphasis on implementation or approaches. It’s a good book for a high-level review of hacking principles, including security testing, various tools, penetration testing approaches, mobile security, and network security.
This product was recommended by Kimberly Silva from FindPeopleFirst
This book will teach you everything you need to know about hacking. The book is broken down into five different chapters, all of which are very important in learning to hack. These chapters are; what is hacking, getting started with hacking, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and pen test methodology. This book will teach you enough to be dangerous while not giving away too many secrets that can ruin your chances of going undetected.