A classic that still holds up. Weidman takes you from setting up a virtual lab to exploiting Windows and Linux targets. The chapter on pivoting and post-exploitation is gold.
(Michal Zalewski) – The definitive guide to securing (and understanding) modern web applications. The Shellcoder's Handbook index of hacking books top
This index is a checklist. It is brutally utilitarian. It tells you what you need to type to pass the exam. A classic that still holds up
by Jon Erickson . Best for: Understanding how hacking works. This is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to write their own exploits. It covers C programming, assembly language, stack overflows, and heap overflows—the fundamental building blocks of hacking. (Michal Zalewski) – The definitive guide to securing
Physical pentesters and phishing assessment teams.
Analyzing live samples, reverse engineering, and safe lab setups. RTFM: Red Team Field Manual by Ben Clark
Security is not entirely technical; human behavior and public data aggregation play massive roles in modern threats.