New member

[colton200456]

Hello all!
I am a proud new member in this forum and am hoping to go to Def Con this year.

I am also attending college as a Computer Science major and would like to go into cyber security.

My question to all of you great members, where should I start learning how to hack? I want to start now and get a feel for it, so what are the basic beginning steps I should start at/ follow to begin?

thank you and any help is appreciated.

[encrypt3r]

Hey, I'm also new! I looked up this thread for you. https://forum.defcon.org/forum/gener...sources-advice

[colton200456]

Thanks a lot!!

[sainate]

From a fellow n00b, welcome, there are lots of great folks here. Last year was my first year (hopefully of many) getting to go to Def Con and was definitely an experience, I can't wait until DC24. One thing that seemed to be missing from your post was what you were looking to hack and why? Hardware (Arduino, RasPi)? Software (bug bounty, write something new)? Drones (exactly what can be shoved into 250 grams)? Locks? IoT(thermostats, toasters)? People (social engineering)? Guns (Def Con Shoot)? Figure out what you're passionate about (again, hardware, software, ... etc.) and start tinkering. I tend to jump in the middle and try to work my way out from both directions :)

[colton200456]

Actually all! I have a RasPi which I have been exploring, I am most interested in software hacking but again, I would like to look at all. I actually already know how to pick locks, and still learning more about it.

[astcell]

If you want to go to Defcon get a room NOW before prices increase. Closer to Defcon rooms can cost in a night what they now cost in 4 nights.

[sainate]

astcell , that's definitely good (and terribly accurate) advice. We reserved our room as soon as the link was available for DC24 and saved a TON over what we paid last year.

[I.T. Warrior]

Be prepared to get addicted LOL DC17 was my first con and after that, I got hooked so much I expect it to come every year. Whenever I couldn't go it was almost like despair

[sainate]

Rikof , completely agree with the addiction warning. DC23 was my first time actually going to the con and just don't think that I'd be satisfied only catching the videos on Youtube (there's a lot to be said for line-con and hall-con and just the opportunity to network with like minded folks). That said, it looks like we're going to miss DC25 because it's getting moved up a week, so I'll be able to confirm the despair :).

[I.T. Warrior]

The first time I missed it I was studying for CompTIA and yes watching the videos, or twitter it's not the same!! Last year I missed again, but, hopefully I will go this time. I live in a place where hackathons, hackerspaces or else are non existent, so go figure.
Believe me, once I got a dream, that instead of that endless line for registration, what We actually did was diving through a shiny golden wet toboggan like in the water parks!! LOL (BTW, I wasn't smoking anything weird, OK!)

[astcell]

I have made it to every Defcon since my first. Even flew in from Tajikistan to be here.

[DJ Jackalope]

Welcome to the fray! Its addicting and fun and meet as many new people as you possibly can both digitally and in person at con!