Learning plan

  1. Get comfortable with Linux.

Do I really need to be that proficient...? Practice common commands: http://linuxcommand.org/ Learn through games: http://overthewire.org/wargames/

  1. Know a programming language.

PYTHON YES! Saving this course for later; it may cost money: http://www.pentesteracademy.com/course?id=1

  1. Get comfortable with MSF.

It can only be used on one machine in the exam. The exam focuses on manual pentesting, while MSF focuses on convenience and efficiency. I'll practice it on machines and in the OSCP lab, working through each machine manually first and then trying MSF. OSCP reference material: https://www.offensive-security.com/metasploit-unleashed/

  1. Linux machines.

I'm doing all right for now. Keep practicing on the usual lab machines.

  1. Windows machines.

I have a lot of catching up to do.

  1. Buffer overflows.

There's only one in the exam, but I still need to spend time learning and preparing, beyond just getting through the exam. I need to learn this. A short introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S0aBV-Waeo More material: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV61whKVQpEmHVgFd_-Y7kQ/feed