What Are the Best Ethical Hacking Forums to Join?

Introduction

In 2025, ethical hacking is more than a skill. It's a career with 3.5 million global jobs waiting. Forums connect you to experts, free resources, and real-world advice. Imagine asking about a Burp Suite issue and getting a response from a OSCP-certified pro in minutes. Or sharing your first CTF write-up and landing a mentorship. These communities turn solo learning into collaborative mastery.

This guide ranks the top 10 ethical hacking forums based on activity, safety, and value. From Reddit's massive reach to niche Discord servers, you'll find platforms for beginners prepping for CEH and experts hunting zero-days. We'll cover features, rules, and tips to participate without risks. By the end, you'll know where to join and how to contribute. Let's connect.

Reddit: The Massive Hub for All Skill Levels

Reddit hosts the largest ethical hacking discussions with millions of views. Subreddits like r/ethicalhacking and r/netsec offer daily threads on tools, news, and career advice. Moderators enforce rules against illegal activity.

• r/ethicalhacking: 53K members, beginner questions, tool recommendations
• r/netsec: Technical deep dives, vulnerability discussions
• r/howToHack: Guided tutorials, noob-friendly
• Daily posts: 50+ new threads
• Free, anonymous, mobile app
• Search past threads for solutions

HackerSploit Forum: Structured Learning and Support

HackerSploit Forum is a dedicated space for offensive security. Created by YouTube educator Hak5, it focuses on practical tutorials and tool discussions. Active moderation keeps it ethical.

• 14K posts on Kali, Metasploit, Burp Suite
• 3K members, video-linked guides
• Sections: Pentesting, Android, Networking
• Free registration, no ads
• Weekly challenges and Q&A
• Integrates with HackerSploit YouTube

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0x00sec: Technical Discussions for Pros

0x00sec is a veteran forum for advanced ethical hackers. It emphasizes code, exploits, and research. No beginners, but gold for experienced users.

• Topics: Reverse engineering, exploit dev, crypto
• Strict rules: No illegal sharing
• Active since 2009, 10K+ members
• Subforums: Malware, Pentesting, Programming
• High-quality threads, low noise
• Free, invite-only for some sections

zSecurity: Global Community for All Levels

zSecurity is an international forum for ethical hacking from scratch. It supports multiple languages and offers tutorials for newbies to experts.

• 12K members, 78K posts
• Forums: Pentesting, Malware, Reverse Engineering
• Free courses and challenges
• Active Discord integration
• Focus: Ethical and legal hacking
• Monthly contests and CTFs

Null Byte: WonderHowTo's Hacking Wing

Null Byte is a tutorial-heavy forum tied to WonderHowTo. It excels in step-by-step guides for web hacking and forensics.

• Video tutorials on XSS, SQLi
• Community comments and Q&A
• Free, 500K+ monthly visitors
• Sections: WiFi, Mobile, Forensics
• Beginner-friendly with visuals
• Linked to HackThisSite challenges

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HackThisSite: Classic Challenges and Missions

HackThisSite is a 20-year-old platform with realistic hacking missions. It's forum-based with user support for solving puzzles.

• Missions: Basic to advanced web/network
• Forum: Hints, write-ups, discussions
• Free, 200K+ unique visitors
• Progression: Unlock harder levels
• Focus: Legal, ethical practice
• Community-driven content

Cybrary Forum: Training-Linked Discussions

Cybrary combines free courses with a forum for cybersecurity learners. It's great for certification prep and career advice.

• Threads tied to CEH, CompTIA courses
• 10K+ members, job board
• Sections: Networking, Forensics
• Free with course enrollment
• Mentorship programs
• Weekly AMAs with experts

Exploit.in: Research and Tool Sharing

Exploit.in is a Russian-English forum for vulnerability research and tool development. It's technical, with exploits and PoCs.

• Focus: Exploit dev, zero-days
• Multi-language support
• Free registration
• Sections: Web, Mobile, Crypto
• Active for 15+ years
• Strict ethical guidelines

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EvilZone: Resources and Tutorials

EvilZone offers ethical resources despite the name. It has tutorials, tools, and discussions for learning.

• Tutorials on Kali, Metasploit
• Code of conduct: No illegal activity
• Free, community-moderated
• Sections: Programming, Web Hacking
• Practical challenges
• Beginner-friendly

Breaking Bad: Emerging Ethical Discussions

Breaking Bad is a newer forum gaining traction for ethical topics. It focuses on modern threats like AI hacking.

• Discussions: AI security, cloud pentesting
• Small but active community
• Free access
• Weekly threads on tools
• No ads, clean interface
• Focus on legal hacking

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Top Ethical Hacking Forums Comparison

Conclusion: Join, Learn, and Give Back

Forums are only as good as their members. Join one today. Ask questions. Share write-ups. Mentor newbies. In 90 days, you’ll go from lurker to leader. Ethical hacking isn’t solo. It’s community.

Start with Reddit and HackerSploit. Post your first question. The next exploit you discover might come from a forum tip. Stay ethical. Stay active. Stay secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ethical hacking forums safe to join?

Yes. Stick to moderated, ethical platforms. Never share personal info or illegal tools.

Can beginners join advanced forums?

Yes, but read rules. 0x00sec prefers experience. Start with Reddit or zSecurity.

Do forums require real names?

No. Use pseudonyms. Protect your identity.

Is HackForums safe for ethical hacking?

No. Avoid. Known for black-hat activity despite some ethical sections.

Can I get a job from forums?

Yes. Many recruiters scout Reddit, Cybrary, and 0x00sec. Share CTF write-ups.

Are there women-only ethical hacking forums?

Yes. WiCyS and Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu have private communities.

Should I use VPN on forums?

Recommended. Hide your IP, especially on public Wi-Fi.

Can I post exploit code?

Only if legal and disclosed responsibly. Never share zero-days publicly.

Are Discord servers better than forums?

For real-time chat, yes. For archives, forums win. Use both.

How do I avoid scams in forums?

Never buy “hacking tools” or pay for “certifications.” Free resources are best.

Which forum has the best CTF discussions?

HackThisSite and zSecurity. Active write-ups and team events.

Can I promote my course in forums?

Only in designated areas. Read rules. Spam gets banned.

Are there mobile apps for these forums?

Reddit yes. Others use browser or Discord apps.

Should I join multiple forums?

Yes. Reddit for breadth, 0x00sec for depth, zSecurity for global reach.

What’s the #1 rule in ethical forums?

Stay legal. No black-hat tools, no doxxing, no illegal requests.