Top 93 Websites for Hackers & Pentesters
Table of Contents
Why Bookmark These Sites?
In cybersecurity, staying two steps ahead of threats requires consistent access to reliable, up-to-date tools and knowledge. Bookmarking the right websites can save hours of Google searches and ensure you always have a trusted path to exploit codes, vulnerability data, learning content, and discussion forums. Whether you’re preparing for a certification, practicing for a CTF, or conducting a real-world red team engagement, these resources serve as your digital Swiss Army knife—compact, diverse, and always ready to deploy.
Additionally, many of these sites house curated content from top-tier security researchers, tools that mimic real-world attacker behavior, and updated feeds of active threats or mitigations. Keeping them organized and accessible enhances both productivity and professionalism.
Top CTF & Practice Labs
Beginner-friendly CTFs
- OverTheWire
- PicoCTF
- Hack The Box (HTB) – With “Starting Point” modules for newcomers
- TryHackMe
- RootMe
Intermediate / Pro Labs
- Hack The Box – Includes Pro Labs and Endgame scenarios
- Offensive Security – Proving Grounds
- PentesterLab
- VulnHub
- AttackDefense Labs
Tool Repositories & Downloads
Exploit Frameworks
Recon & Enumeration Tools
Vulnerability Databases & Exploit Search
- CVE Details
- National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- MITRE CVE
- Exploit-DB
- Shodan – For identifying vulnerable devices online
- Packet Storm Security
Writeups, Blogs & Research Papers
- PortSwigger Research Blog
- Google Project Zero
- Pentest Blog by TrustedSec
- HackerOne Hacktivity
- ACM Digital Library
- IEEE Xplore
Capture-the-Flag Walkthroughs (Community Writeups)
- CTFtime.org Writeups
- 0xdf Hacks Stuff (HTB/CTF solutions)
- IppSec’s YouTube Channel – HTB machine walkthroughs
- HackTricks
- PayloadAllTheThings
Learning Platforms & Courses
- Offensive Security (OSCP, OSEP, etc.)
- SANS Institute
- TryHackMe
- eLearnSecurity (INE)
- Pluralsight Security Paths
- Cybrary
- Coursera – Cybersecurity Specializations
Books, Cheat Sheets & Printable References
- “The Hacker Playbook” by Peter Kim
- “Red Team Field Manual”
- “Web Hacking 101” (Free PDF)
- GTFOBins – Unix binaries for bypassing restrictions
- LOLBAS – Living Off The Land Binaries
- OWASP Testing Guide
- Security Cheat Sheets by PentestMonkey
Community & Forums (Discord, Reddit, StackExchange)
- Reddit:
- r/netsec
- r/AskNetsec
- r/hacking
- Discord Servers:
- Hack The Box Discord
- TryHackMe Discord
- StackExchange:
- Information Security Stack Exchange
- Reverse Engineering Stack Exchange
Safety, Legal & Ethics Resources (Important for E-E-A-T Compliance)
- EC-Council Code of Ethics
- ISC² Code of Ethics
- OWASP Legal Interoperability Guide
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- EU GDPR Compliance Guides
- HackerOne Responsible Disclosure Guidelines
How to Use This List
Sample 30-Day Learning Path
| Week | Focus Area | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundamentals | TryHackMe: Intro Paths, OverTheWire Bandit |
| 2 | Tools & Scanning | Nmap, Dirb, Burp Suite basics |
| 3 | Exploitation | HTB Starting Point, Metasploit basics |
| 4 | Recon & Reporting | Practice writing reports, explore OSINT tools |
Daily Habit Tips:
- Read one writeup from HTB or CTFtime
- Practice recon with Amass or Sublist3r for 15 mins
- Join the Discord server of your favorite platform for peer support
| Topic Area in List Post | Suggested Internal Link |
|---|---|
| section talking about termux hacking tools | https://h4ck3r.me/best-termux-tools-for-android/ |
| section talking about metasploit labs | https://h4ck3r.me/how-to-use-metasploit-full-basics-installation/ |
| android reverse engineering resources | https://h4ck3r.me/how-to-install-apktool-in-termux/ |
| beginners hacking learning websites | https://h4ck3r.me/termux-complete-courses-beginner-to-pro/ |
| phishing learning resources topic | https://h4ck3r.me/what-is-phishing-and-smishing/ (you have multiple phishing related ones – use any of those) |
| linux based exploitation platforms | https://h4ck3r.me/how-to-install-kali-linux-in-windows/ |
Top 10 Resources for Beginners
- TryHackMe
- Hack The Box (HTB)
- OverTheWire
- National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- Exploit-DB
- Metasploit Framework
- Recon-ng
- CTFtime.org
- SecurityTube
- PayloadsAllTheThings
FAQ
Q: Are these tools legal to use?
A: Yes—if used ethically, within a controlled environment like personal labs, practice platforms, or on systems you have explicit permission to test.
Q: Can I use these resources offline?
A: Many tool repositories and GitHub projects can be cloned offline. Platforms like HTB and TryHackMe require web-based access.
Q: Are all these free?
A: Yes, there are both free and paid resources listed. Always look for community editions or trial periods before committing.
Final Notes & Subscribe
The world of ethical hacking is evolving rapidly, and so should your toolkit. Stay informed, stay ethical, and always continue learning. If you want regular updates on the newest pentesting tools, CTF walkthroughs, and cybersecurity news, consider subscribing to newsletters like:
Keep exploring, keep practicing, and keep securing the web—one line of defense at a time.
🔁 Bookmark this list and come back regularly to discover more tools, improve your bug bounty skills, or just stay sharp.