[How to get started in Cyber Security?]

14 hours ago, digininja said:

The recommendation is the same to everyone, learn as much as you can in as many areas as you can and show your enthusiasm for the subject by blogging, tweeting and getting involved

Sadly enough, the most involved I get with anything (other than friends of mine who share the same likes), is where we are currently sitting. A forum type setting.

9 hours ago, r3plic4tor said:

Is your goal to exploit Web Applications, The Web server itself, Browser hacking processes, Networked machines in a WiFi/Ethernet environment, private or corporate, etc etc. Maybe you prefer coding scripts for automation or injecting malware,  or maybe your preference is Social Engineering and the likes.....Whatever!

I could tell you what would peak my interest, but until I have any kind of hands on application, don't really know if it it will or not. For instance, I love shooting long distance, but I hated reloading my own ammo even though the idea itself peaked my interest.

If I had to choose, it would be network security. How can I get into this machine on this network to do what I have been contracted to do, or how to prevent others from entering my own network. Makes me all riled up inside.

[How to get started in Cyber Security?]

I'm going to threadjack for a minute, didn't want to start a whole new thread on the subject and clutter up the site.

Would the same suggestions apply to people who have limited time throughout the day to learn? I work long hours (thanks to military background), have 2 kids and a wife, and going to school for cyber security. I've got a hand full of VM's running at any given time trying to learn as much as possible with as little time as I do have for my own time. I've looked through the where to start thread, and dog eared a lot of the references for future use.

Really looking for a solid foundation to start, so I can learn literally as much as possible. Don't be surprised if I ask a few dumb questions, probably like the following.

On 6/4/2018 at 6:33 AM, r3plic4tor said:

Dedicate a laptop to Kali Linux as an attack machine, then on another 'networked' machine, set up some vunerable VM's as a testing lab for you to polish your skills. I recommend Virtualbox. (bridge your adaptor connections)

Is Kali the epitome of where to start? I've looked a little into Parrot and wanted to know if it's worth the time and effort to get started up with Parrot, when the industry standard is Kali.