How to Prepare for the PEN-200 (PWK) Course and Certification Exam
How to Prepare for the PEN-200 (PWK) Course and Certification Exam
The PEN-200 (PWK) course and certification exam is one of the most popular and respected cybersecurity training programs in the world. It teaches you how to perform penetration testing with Kali Linux, a powerful and versatile operating system for ethical hacking. The course covers topics such as information gathering, vulnerability scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation, privilege escalation, web application attacks, password cracking, and more. The certification exam challenges you to hack into a simulated network of machines within 24 hours and write a professional report of your findings.
Offensive Security Pwk 21.pdf
However, the PEN-200 (PWK) course and certification exam is not easy. It requires a lot of dedication, practice, and perseverance. Many students struggle with the course material, the lab environment, and the exam itself. Some even give up before completing the course or passing the exam. So how can you prepare for this challenging and rewarding journey?
Here are some tips and resources that can help you succeed in the PEN-200 (PWK) course and certification exam:
Review the syllabus. The PEN-200 (PWK) syllabus is a comprehensive document that outlines the learning objectives, topics, and exercises of each module of the course. It also provides links to additional resources and references that can help you deepen your understanding of the concepts. You can download the syllabus from here. Make sure you read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the expectations and requirements of the course.
Brush up on your fundamentals. The PEN-200 (PWK) course assumes that you have some basic knowledge of networking, Linux, scripting, and web technologies. If you are new to these topics or need a refresher, you can start with some online courses or tutorials that cover them. For example, you can check out TryHackMe, a platform that offers interactive learning modules and challenges on various cybersecurity topics. You can also read some books or blogs that explain the basics of penetration testing and ethical hacking.
Practice your skills. The best way to learn penetration testing is by doing it. The PEN-200 (PWK) course provides you with access to a lab environment where you can practice hacking into different machines with varying levels of difficulty. However, before you dive into the lab, you may want to warm up your skills on some other platforms that offer similar scenarios. For example, you can try Offensive Security Proving Grounds, a service that offers realistic and diverse machines for penetration testing practice. You can also try Hack The Box, another popular platform that hosts vulnerable machines for hacking challenges.
Follow a learning path. The PEN-200 (PWK) course covers a lot of material in a short time. It can be overwhelming and confusing to follow along without a clear plan or structure. Therefore, it is advisable to follow a learning path that guides you through the course content in a logical and progressive way. For example, you can follow the Offensive Path on TryHackMe, which aligns with the PEN-200 (PWK) syllabus and prepares you for the certification exam. You can also follow some online courses or books that teach penetration testing with Kali Linux in a structured manner.
Seek help and feedback. The PEN-200 (PWK) course is designed to be self-paced and independent. However, that does not mean that you have to do it alone. You can seek help and feedback from other students, instructors, mentors, or experts who have gone through the course or passed the exam. You can join online communities such as r/oscp on Reddit, where you can ask questions, share tips, and support each other. You can also join some Discord servers or Slack channels that are dedicated to penetration testing and ethical hacking.
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