What Are the Best Free Resources for Learning Cybersecurity?

Introduction

In 2025, you can learn 70% of job-ready cybersecurity skills completely free — if you know the right resources. Our 8,000+ placed students at Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies started exactly like you: zero budget, zero knowledge, using only free platforms. After 3–6 months of disciplined self-study, they joined our lab to master the remaining 30% and got placed at Deloitte, EY, Paytm, Indian banks with ₹12–50 LPA packages. Here is the exact free resource list they used.

Top 15 Best Free Learning Platforms 2025

• TryHackMe – 800+ guided rooms (free tier)
• HackTheBox – Starting Point + retired machines
• PortSwigger Web Security Academy – Full Burp Suite labs
• OverTheWire – Bandit, Natas, Leviathan wargames
• PicoCTF – Annual + archive challenges
• VulnHub – 200+ downloadable vulnerable VMs
• PentesterLab – Free exercises + videos
• Root-Me – 500+ free challenges
• Cybrary – Free courses + labs
• INE Starter Pass – Free eJPT path
• Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Coursera free audit)
• Rangeforce Community – Free cyber range
• Blue Team Labs Online – Free SOC exercises
• Let's Defend – Free incident response
• Web Security Academy by Detectify

Start your free journey → Complete structured training

Best Free YouTube Channels (Used by Our Toppers)

Our placed students learned basics from these channels before joining lab:

• NetworkChuck – Fun beginner videos
• LiveOverflow – Deep technical breakdowns
• John Hammond – CTF walkthroughs
• STÖK – OSCP-like machine solves
• IppSec – Legendary HTB retired videos
• Hak5 – Wireless & hardware hacking
• The Cyber Mentor – Career + practical
• David Bombal – Networking + pentesting

They watched 10–15 hours/week for 3 months. 

Free Books & PDFs Every Student Downloads

Legal free books that built our alumni:

• The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook
• RTFM: Red Team Field Manual
• BTM: Blue Team Manual
• Nmap Network Scanning (official)
• Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide
• Hacking: The Art of Exploitation
• Gray Hat Hacking
• Violent Python

All available free on official sites or GitHub. 

See the ultimate free-to-paid roadmap

Exact 6-Month Free Self-Study Plan

Month 1: Linux + Networking basics → TryHackMe (Intro to Cyber Security, Pre-Security, Linux Fundamentals, Network Fundamentals)
Month 2: Web vulnerabilities → Complete PortSwigger Web Security Academy (all labs 100%) + TryHackMe Web path
Month 3: Basic pentesting → OverTheWire Bandit + Natas + VulnHub first 10 easy machines
Month 4: Real machines → HackTheBox Starting Point + 15 easy retired boxes + TryHackMe medium rooms
Month 5: CTFs & writeups → PicoCTF archive + Root-Me challenges + write detailed reports
Month 6: Apply to our lab → Get access to 200+ OSCP-level machines + placement

90% of our students follow this exact free plan.

Why Free Is Not Enough for ₹50 LPA Jobs

Free resources teach 70% theory + easy boxes. Real jobs need 200+ medium/hard machines, licensed tools (Burp Pro, Nessus), Active Directory attacks, professional report writing, interview cracking, and placement support. That’s why our students join after free learning — and get placed within weeks at Deloitte, EY, Paytm, Indian banks with ₹12–50 LPA packages. 

Join after free learning near you

Conclusion

Start free today — but don’t stop there. Our 8,000+ alumni prove: free resources + our lab = ₹50 LPA job. Join Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies — India’s only institute that welcomes free learners and turns them into professionals. New batches every Monday — Pune + 100% live online. 

Discover future of free learning → AI-powered free labs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get job only with free resources?

Rarely — need lab for real skills.

Which free platform is best?

TryHackMe + PortSwigger combo.

How many hours daily?

Our students did 3–4 hours daily.

Is TryHackMe completely free?

Enough rooms free for beginners.

Which institute accepts free learners?

Only Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha.

Best free web hacking resource?

PortSwigger Web Security Academy.

Can girls learn free first?

Yes — 40% of our girls did.

Next batch starting?

Every Monday — limited seats.

Free demo available?

Yes — every Saturday 11 AM.

Weekend self-study batch?

Yes — full weekend guidance.

Non-IT can start free?

Yes — most of our students did.

Job guarantee after lab?

Yes — written 100% placement.

Parents can attend demo?

Yes — many do.

Free resources enough for OSCP?

No — need our lab for hard boxes.

Best free book?

Web Application Hacker’s Handbook.