Part 3: How to Become a Pentester in 2025:Practical Practice: Labs & CTFs
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Summary
To become a pentester, it is necessary to practice hard, and the best way to do that is through labs and CTF (Capture The Flag) challenges.
The best place to practice is Hack The Box Labs, which has dozens of ready-made machines.
It is best to start with retired boxes that have detailed write-ups on Medium and step-by-step video walkthroughs from creators like IppSec.
This copying of walkthroughs is a disciplined mimicry that will sharpen one’s skills similar to the way Pablo Picasso learned by copying Velázquez and others.
After mastering the basics, it is a good idea to tackle Pro Labs, which mirror real-life networks and offer a chance to rehearse and refine dozens of techniques under near-live conditions.
The best way to prepare for exams is following the TJ Null List, a curated collection of boxes aligned with the major OffSec certifications.