This Specialization provides a complete journey into ethical hacking and penetration testing with Kali Linux, covering reconnaissance, exploitation, wireless security, Android vulnerabilities, SQL injection, cryptography, and advanced red-team techniques. Through six structured courses, learners will gain hands-on experience using industry-standard tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and sqlmap to identify, exploit, and secure vulnerabilities. Designed for beginners and aspiring cybersecurity professionals, this program emphasizes practical labs, real-world simulations, and step-by-step projects to prepare learners for careers in penetration testing, cybersecurity analysis, and ethical hacking.
Kali Linux: Ethical Hacking & Pentesting Specialization
Kali Linux: Ethical Hacking & Pentesting Specialization
Master Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux. Gain hands-on skills in penetration testing, cyber defense, and ethical hacking with Kali Linux
Instructor: EDUCBA
Included with 
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level
Recommended experience
1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level
Recommended experience
1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
What you'll learn
Perform ethical hacking and penetration testing using Kali Linux tools and frameworks.
Identify, exploit, and defend against vulnerabilities across networks, systems, and applications.
Apply real-world cybersecurity methodologies to strengthen security postures.
Overview
Skills you'll gain
- Threat Detection
- Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
- Malware Protection
- Vulnerability Scanning
- Database Management
- Data Import/Export
- Hardening
- Cyber Threat Intelligence
- Security Testing
- Cryptography
- Cybersecurity
- Linux Administration
- Vulnerability Assessments
- Cyber Security Assessment
- Exploitation techniques
- Penetration Testing
- Public Key Infrastructure
Tools you'll learn
What’s included
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Taught in English
Recently updated!
October 2025
55 practice exercises
Advance your subject-matter expertise
- Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
- Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
- Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
- Earn a career certificate from EDUCBA
Specialization - 6 course series
What you'll learn
Define ethical hacking fundamentals and set up secure labs.
Perform reconnaissance using footprinting, DNS, and Google hacking.
Apply tools like Nmap & ZenMap to identify vulnerabilities.
Skills you'll gain
Penetration Testing, Operating Systems, Network Analysis, Vulnerability Scanning, Virtual Machines, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Assessments, Exploit development, Hardening, Linux, and System Configuration
What you'll learn
Perform advanced reconnaissance using Nmap, DNS, and OSINT tools
Analyze phishing, social engineering, and malware techniques.
Simulate backdoor exploitation and persistence strategies.
Skills you'll gain
Penetration Testing, Malware Protection, Human Factors (Security), Network Analysis, Exploitation techniques, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Assessments, and Email Security
What you'll learn
Identify and simulate backdoors, privilege escalation, and spoofing.
Apply tools like Meterpreter, John the Ripper, and EvilGrade.
Execute and defend against MITM, redirection, and DDoS attacks.
Skills you'll gain
Network Protocols, Network Security, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Exploitation techniques, Penetration Testing, Microsoft Windows, Remote Access Systems, Cyber Security Assessment, Command-Line Interface, Metasploit, and Network Analysis
What you'll learn
Analyze Android vulnerabilities and wireless encryption standards.
Apply wordlist generation, password cracking, and WPA2 analysis.
Deploy persistent payloads and test real-world attack vectors.
Skills you'll gain
Exploitation techniques, Penetration Testing, Wireless Networks, Linux Commands, Security Testing, Operating Systems, Cryptography, Microsoft Windows, Vulnerability Assessments, and Network Security
What you'll learn
Apply Metasploit commands, exploits, and payloads in Kali Linux.
Perform SQL injection with manual, dork, and sqlmap techniques.
Analyze cryptographic methods, hash flaws, and DB security.
Skills you'll gain
Metasploit, Exploitation techniques, Penetration Testing, SQL, Cryptography, Cybersecurity, Encryption, Vulnerability Scanning, Public Key Infrastructure, Data Encryption Standard, Data Import/Export, Vulnerability Assessments, MySQL, Command-Line Interface, PostgreSQL, and Database Management
What you'll learn
Set up pentesting labs and perform advanced Nmap reconnaissance.
Build Python scanners, exploit SMTP, Samba, and NFS services.
Apply malware analysis, social engineering, and automation scripts.
Skills you'll gain
Penetration Testing, Exploitation techniques, Automation, Mobile Security, Network Analysis, Malware Protection, Scripting, Cyber Operations, Vulnerability Assessments, Cyber Security Assessment, Virtual Environment, Authentications, Android (Operating System), and Command-Line Interface
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
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Frequently asked questions
The Specialization can typically be completed in approximately 15 to 16 weeks, with an estimated commitment of 3–4 hours per week. This pacing allows learners to progress steadily through hands-on labs, practical projects, and in-depth modules without feeling rushed. The timeline is designed to balance theoretical understanding with real-world practice, ensuring learners gain both the knowledge and applied skills needed to confidently perform ethical hacking and penetration testing tasks using Kali Linux.
No prior cybersecurity or hacking experience is required. However, learners should have a basic understanding of computers, operating systems, and networking concepts to maximize the hands-on learning experience.
Yes. The courses are structured progressively, starting with foundational concepts and moving toward advanced penetration testing techniques. Following the sequence ensures that each new skill builds logically on the previous one.
More questions
Financial aid available,