Foundations of Ethical Hacking: A CEH v12 Prep Course — PickAClass
⏱ 3h 📚 30 lessons 🎧 Audio version

Foundations of Ethical Hacking: A CEH v12 Prep Course

Learn the core principles, tools, and techniques you need to understand the ethical hacking lifecycle and prepare for your exam.

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About this course

Ready to learn how attackers think so you can build better defenses? This course provides the foundational knowledge you need to begin your journey into the world of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. You will explore the complete ethical hacking process, from reconnaissance and network scanning to system exploitation and web application security. By the end, you'll have a practical understanding of common vulnerabilities and the defensive mindset required to protect modern digital environments. What you'll learn: - Understand the core principles of ethical hacking, cybersecurity, and the threat landscape. - Practice network scanning and enumeration using essential tools like Nmap. - Learn to identify and exploit common system and web application vulnerabilities. - Analyze network traffic to understand common protocols and potential attacks. - Explore the fundamentals of cryptography, password cracking, and social engineering tactics. - Grasp modern security concepts, including basic cloud security threats and zero-trust principles. - Build a solid knowledge base to help you prepare for the CEH v12 exam topics. The course starts with the absolute basics of networking and security before guiding you through each stage of the ethical hacking methodology with clear, text-based explanations and practical examples. This course is designed for absolute beginners. No prior experience in cybersecurity or hacking is required to get started. Start reading today to build your foundation in ethical hacking.

Course contents

6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h

1 Introduction to Ethical Hacking & Networking
Establish the foundational mindset and technical basics of networking.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. The Ethical Hacking Mindset
    Understanding the difference between white, gray, and black hat hackers.
    6 min
  2. Cybersecurity Fundamentals
    The CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) and its importance.
    6 min
  3. The Modern Threat Landscape
    Identifying current types of malware, APTs, and threat actors.
    6 min
  4. Networking 101 for Hackers
    Basics of IP addressing, subnets, and the OSI model.
    6 min
  5. The 5 Phases of Hacking
    Overview of the standard methodology: Recon, Scanning, Gaining Access, Maintaining Access, Clearing Tracks.
    6 min
2 Reconnaissance & Network Scanning
Learn how to gather information and map out a target network.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Footprinting & Reconnaissance
    Passive vs. active information gathering techniques.
    6 min
  2. Introduction to Nmap
    Setting up Nmap and running your first basic network scan.
    6 min
  3. Advanced Nmap Techniques
    Using different scan types (TCP Connect, Stealth, UDP) to bypass filters.
    6 min
  4. Service & OS Detection
    Using Nmap to identify running services and target operating systems.
    6 min
  5. The Art of Enumeration
    Extracting detailed information like usernames and shares from a target.
    6 min
3 System Exploitation & Vulnerabilities
Understand how attackers identify and exploit weaknesses in systems.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Vulnerability Assessment
    The process of identifying and prioritizing security weaknesses.
    6 min
  2. Gaining Access: Exploitation Basics
    How exploits work to take advantage of vulnerabilities.
    6 min
  3. Metasploit Framework Intro
    A brief look at the industry-standard tool for exploitation.
    6 min
  4. Privilege Escalation
    Moving from a low-level user to an administrative or root account.
    6 min
  5. Maintaining Access & Hiding
    How attackers use backdoors and clear logs to stay undetected.
    6 min
4 Web Apps & Traffic Analysis
Analyze web-based threats and network communication protocols.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Web App Architecture
    How browsers, servers, and databases interact.
    6 min
  2. OWASP Top 10 Overview
    Introduction to the most critical web application security risks.
    6 min
  3. Analyzing Network Traffic
    Using packet sniffers to see what's happening on the wire.
    6 min
  4. Common Protocol Attacks
    Understanding vulnerabilities in DNS, DHCP, and HTTP.
    6 min
  5. Defending Web Applications
    Basic defensive measures like WAFs and input validation.
    6 min
5 Cryptography & Social Engineering
Master the human and mathematical sides of security.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Introduction to Cryptography
    The role of encryption, hashing, and digital signatures.
    6 min
  2. Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Encryption
    Understanding how keys are used to secure data.
    6 min
  3. Password Cracking Techniques
    Dictionary attacks, brute force, and rainbow tables.
    6 min
  4. Psychology of Social Engineering
    Why humans are often the weakest link in security.
    6 min
  5. Phishing & Physical Tactics
    Common social engineering delivery methods and how to spot them.
    6 min
6 Modern Security & CEH Prep
Explore cloud security, zero-trust, and prepare for certification.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Cloud Security Fundamentals
    Introduction to AWS/Azure/GCP security models.
    6 min
  2. Common Cloud Threats
    Misconfigurations and shared responsibility model risks.
    6 min
  3. The Zero Trust Model
    Moving from perimeter-based security to 'never trust, always verify'.
    6 min
  4. Implementing Zero Trust
    Micro-segmentation and identity-centric security.
    6 min
  5. CEH v12 Exam Strategy
    How to approach the exam and key topics to review.
    6 min
Final project

Mini-Vulnerability Assessment Report

Using the skills learned, you will outline a hypothetical attack and defense plan for a small business network.

What you'll get

  • 📜 Certificate of completion
    Add it to your LinkedIn profile
  • 💬 Personal AI tutor
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  • 🎧 Audio version included
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  • ♾️ Lifetime access
    Come back anytime, no expiry
  • 📱 Phone or computer
    Works anywhere, any device
  • 💸 14-day refund
    No questions asked
  • ⚡ Short & focused
    3h of practical content

Certificate of completion

Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.

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PickAClass
Skills profile · verifiable
Document
Certificate of Mastery
This certifies that
Name Surname
has successfully demonstrated mastery of
Foundations of Ethical Hacking: A CEH v12 Prep Course
Skills demonstrated
✓
Behavioral pattern analysis
Foundational
1.2 hrs
✓
Decision-architecture frameworks
Proficient
1.4 hrs
✓
A/B test design
Proficient
1.7 hrs
✓
Behavioral copywriting
Advanced
1.9 hrs
P
PickAClass — Name Surname
Foundations of Ethical Hacking: A CEH v12 Prep Course
Page 2 of 2
Performance detail
Coursework summary
Lessons completed 14 / 14
Practice questions 26 / 28
Assignments submitted 4 (avg 4.5 / 5)
Capstone project Reviewed — 4.6 / 5
Total practice 6.2 hrs
Performance benchmark
Cohort rank Top 12% of 1,625
Time to completion 11 days (median: 22)
Mastery score 91 / 100
Practice-question score 94%
Skill verification Verified Skill Path
Verify this credential
pickaclass.com/certificates/PCC-2026-X4F7-AP19
Issued under the academic standards of PickAClass. Skill levels reflect assessed performance against the course's competency rubric. This is an original credential of this platform.

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