What Are the Best Cybersecurity Books for Beginners?

Introduction

Our 8,000+ placed students at Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies started with zero knowledge and only these books. After 3 to 6 months of disciplined reading plus free labs, they cleared CEH, OSCP, and got placed at Deloitte, EY, Paytm, Indian banks with ₹15 to 60 LPA packages. Here is the exact beginner-friendly book list and reading sequence they followed in 2025.

Top 15 Must-Read Cybersecurity Books for Beginners (2025 Edition)

• Hacking: The Art of Exploitation (Jon Erickson) – Best for understanding low-level hacking
• The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook – Bible of web vulnerabilities
• Black Hat Python (2nd Edition) – Python for hackers and pentesters
• RTFM: Red Team Field Manual – Quick command reference
• BTM: Blue Team Field Manual – Defense commands
• Nmap Network Scanning (Gordon Fyodor Lyon) – Official Nmap book
• Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide – Complete Metasploit mastery
• Gray Hat Hacking (6th Edition) – All-round ethical hacking
• Violent Python – Classic Python hacking cookbook
• The Hacker Playbook 3 – Real-life pentesting scenarios
• Ghost in the Wires (Kevin Mitnick) – Real social engineering stories
• Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking (Hadnagy)
• Practical Malware Analysis – Beginner-friendly malware book
• Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction (Georgia Weidman)
• Blue Team Handbook – SOC analyst starter

Most are available free legally on official sites or GitHub.

Exact 6-Month Reading + Practice Plan (Used by Our Toppers)

Month 1: Basics – Ghost in the Wires + Social Engineering book
Month 2: Linux & Networking – RTFM + BTM + Nmap book
Month 3: Programming – Black Hat Python + Violent Python
Month 4: Web Hacking – The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook (100%)
Month 5: Exploitation – Hacking: The Art of Exploitation + Metasploit Guide
Month 6: Real Practice – The Hacker Playbook 3 + Gray Hat Hacking

90% of our placed students followed this exact sequence before joining lab and clearing OSCP.

Where to Get These Books Free & Legally

• Official author websites and GitHub repos
• Free-ebooks.net, PDFDrive (legal sections)
• Library Genesis (use responsibly)
• Publisher promotions and Humble Bundle security packs
• Our student WhatsApp group shares updated links every month

All students get lifetime updated PDF folder on day 1.

See the ultimate beginner-to-pro roadmap

Why Books + Our Lab = ₹60 LPA Job

Books give 60% theory and mindset. Real jobs need 200+ machines, licensed tools, Active Directory, professional reporting, and placement support. That’s why students finish these books first, then join our lab for 3 months and get placed at Deloitte, EY, Paytm, banks with ₹15 to 60 LPA packages.

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Conclusion

Start reading today for free. Finish these 15 books in 6 months and you will be ahead of 95% of beginners. Then join Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies, India’s only institute that turns book learners into ₹60 LPA professionals. New batches every Monday in classroom Pune plus 100% live online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these books enough for job?

No. Need lab practice after books.

Which book first for absolute beginner?

Ghost in the Wires (story format).

Is Hacking: The Art of Exploitation hard?

Yes, but best for real understanding.

Do you provide all PDFs?

Yes. Lifetime updated folder free.

Best book for web hacking?

The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook.

Which institute follows this book list?

Only Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha.

Can girls start with books?

Yes. 40% of our girls did exactly this.

Next batch after books?

Every Monday. Limited seats.

Free demo available?

Yes. Every Saturday 11 AM.

Weekend self-study batch?

Yes. Full weekend guidance.

Non-IT can read these books?

Yes. Most of our students started non-IT.

Job guarantee after lab?

Yes. Written 100% placement.

Best Python hacking book?

Black Hat Python 2nd Edition.

Is RTFM enough for commands?

Yes. Everyone keeps it open in lab.

Free or paid books better?

These classics are best, mostly free legally.