#As a beginner in cybersec, do I need to learn python first?

61 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

exotic marsh
#

Wanted to know if I had to learn python or any programming language as a prerequisite to getting into cybersecurity, and if I'm to learn one before or after which would be recommended?

warm hamlet
#

Personally I would say no, and I’d even say that you don’t need to initially know any language as a prerequisite when ur comes to cyber security.

Even though I had programming experience when I participated in my first hackathon, I didn’t really need python to solve majority of the problems and even when I did need to use python I would just quickly learn what I needed to on the internet or use gpt

I would however learn something like power shell as it’s used a lot in cybersec

exotic marsh
#

Thank you, I was trying to pick between learning it first or getting into Cybersec directly because python is really versatile and I can use it for a wide range of stuff outside Cybersec but I felt it wouldn't help as much when I'm starting now

minor plover
#

Powershell is nice but tbf it's more advanced than python since it requires knowledge in windows operating system

#

Everybody who does cyber security should be very comfortable around Python

#

You should have a very clear understanding in programming before even touching hacking

warm hamlet
#

I think it definitely depends on what kind of hacking you are doing though, wouldn't you agree? I think that starting with hackathons is a great way to get into cybersecurity and it doesn't require in depth python skills. Powershell is more advanced sure but you're probably going to be using it a lot more than python. The only times I have used python in my cybersecurity "career" is using chatgpt to create a script

#

I definitely agree that having a clear understanding of programminig before touching hacking is important, but I don't think its necessary

It'll just make it a bit harder

minor plover
#

This is why people usually recommend getting familiar with shell scripting on Linux

#

I never heard anyone studying PS as their first language

warm hamlet
#

But like what r u using python for in regard to cyber security besides super specific things where scripts already exist

#

I’m kindof genuinely asking bc I’m still relatively new to cyber sec

minor plover
#

It's not for specific tasks

#

It's for everything

#

It's the most common used language in hacking right after bash

warm hamlet
#

I think Im just uneducated/theres stuff I haven't done yet, I've been thinking about solely hackathon type puzzles

minor plover
warm hamlet
minor plover
#

bash

#

I never in my life had to use PS

warm hamlet
#

Im interested on where you are using py in order to advance my own knowledge and performance in these events...

minor plover
#

python is everywhere

warm hamlet
#

Like are you using it for pcap files

#

or like

#

are you using it for cryptography

minor plover
#

why would I be using python to read packets? what?

#

no

warm hamlet
#

exactly im just like, trying to figure out where you would use it ig

#

like an example problem perhaps?

minor plover
#

every tasks

#

hmmm

warm hamlet
#

i think im not understanding bc your answer is very broad

minor plover
#

I was doing a CTF that requires web requests interception, so I wrote a Python script to complete it

warm hamlet
#

why not just use burp suite?

#

no python knowledge required and does all the web interception for u

minor plover
#

because I had to automatically manipulate data, it wasn't just some sipme brute forcing or something. I don't even remember what the CTF was about

#

Python is also commonly used for simple hacking tools

#

check my linked GitHub if you'd like to see examples

warm hamlet
#

ill take a look rq 👍

#

@minor plover ah ok iswym, that can def be very useful, though that definitely requires some pretty deep knowledge of python and reverse shells that I doubt could be amassed by studying the language

#

like, no part time programmer is going to be able to manually write a script like that yk, u could use gpt ig

#

but I mean you dont need to know the language to use gpt

minor plover
warm hamlet
# minor plover the rev shell client I've made is a bit advanced, most people don't need to know...

ah yes ok I understand, I guess because the initial question posted was "should I have prerequisite knowledge of py before starting cybersecurity" I thought that the best response to be no, because you need years on years of python experience to be able to write a script such as the one you created, you might as well just start learning the basics of cybersecurity such as: methods of encoding/decoding, linux stuff, wireshark stuff etc

#

If you still believe that its worthwhile to learn basic python before starting you can lmk, I'd trust you to be more experienced than I am. I've only gone to a few hackathons and done a handfull of problems participating in my schools cyber sec club

minor plover
#

there's a common saying

#

"you don't need to know programming to be a hacker, but it sure will make you a better one"

warm hamlet
#

I can definitely agree with that

#

I think that should be the final answer to the initial question 🤣

minor plover
#

agreed

minor plover
#

I recommend first studying some programming languages such as Python, maybe even Java if you'd like to have a deeper understanding

#

then you can start messing with cyber security and hacking

#

like studying CCNA and Linux

exotic marsh
# minor plover <@1088916314225131651>

I read through the whole thing and was lost as hell, but I'm excited for it, I'm going to learn python alongside master ting the theoretical aspects of cybersecurity
What are packets, how Mac addresses are assigned etc

Then focus on the practical aspects when after gaining atleast basic understanding of it

How does that sound?

minor plover
#

Mac addresses are being assigned hardcoded in the NIC factory