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Best Free Resources to Learn Cybersecurity in 2025 — Beginner Roadmap

Published: Sep 11, 2025 · By DailyTrendz Editorial

Want to learn cybersecurity without spending a fortune? This guide collects the best free courses, hands-on labs, YouTube channels and a step-by-step roadmap to help beginners build real skills and a portfolio in 2025.

Image: Hands-on labs and guided courses help you learn cybersecurity the practical way.

Why learn cybersecurity in 2025?

Demand for cybersecurity professionals remains high worldwide. Entry-level roles pay well and the field offers strong long-term prospects. Crucially, many quality learning paths are free — you only need time, curiosity and a structured plan.

Top free resources (quick table)

Resource	Type	Best For	Key Features	Link
TryHackMe	Guided labs	Beginners	Step-by-step rooms, progressive tracks	TryHackMe
HackTheBox (Free)	Practical labs	Hands-on practice	Realistic machines, CTF style	HackTheBox
Cybrary	Online courses	Structured learning	Free courses + community labs	Cybrary
OWASP	Documentation	Web security	OWASP Top 10, guides & tools	OWASP
Open Security Training	Lectures	Intermediate learners	Deep technical topics, slides & labs	OpenSecurityTraining
YouTube (e.g., John Hammond)	Video tutorials	Visual learners	Walkthroughs, CTFs, tool demos	YouTube search
Khan Academy	Course basics	Absolute beginners	Intro to computer security concepts	Khan Academy

Note: Many platforms offer both free and paid content — start free, then invest if you need advanced labs or certificates.

A beginner's step-by-step roadmap

1. Week 1–4 — Basics: Learn core concepts (networks, protocols, common threats). Use Khan Academy or Cybrary beginner courses.
2. Month 2–3 — Guided labs: Start TryHackMe beginner paths (Intro to Cybersecurity, Linux fundamentals).
3. Month 4–6 — Hands-on practice: Try vulnerable machines on HackTheBox and complete CTF challenges. Document your work.
4. Month 6+ — Specialize & build portfolio: Choose web security, cloud security, or red-team topics. Publish write-ups and GitHub labs.
5. Continuous: Join communities (Discord, Reddit r/cybersecurity), follow experts, and track CVE/news.

Practical tip: Keep a public GitHub repo or blog with write-ups — employers and bug-bounty programs value demonstrated skills.

How to practice safely (legal & ethical)

Always use platforms that explicitly allow testing (TryHackMe, HackTheBox). Do NOT scan or attack systems you don’t own or have permission to test — that’s illegal. Learn the law and follow responsible disclosure when you find vulnerabilities.

Comparison — Guided vs. Open Practice

Type	Best For	Pros	Cons
Guided Labs (TryHackMe)	Beginners	Step-by-step, hints, learning tracks	Less realistic than full machines
Open Practice (HackTheBox)	Intermediate	Realistic machines, community	Steeper learning curve

Free learning routine (sample)

Follow this 8-hour/week routine for 3 months:

• 2 hrs — Guided course (Cybrary/TryHackMe)
• 3 hrs — Hands-on lab or HackTheBox machine
• 1 hr — Watch a YouTube walkthrough and take notes
• 1 hr — Read OWASP Top 10 or write a short blog post
• Optional 1 hr — Community Q&A, Discord or practice CTF

Where to show your work (portfolio ideas)

• Create write-ups on a personal blog (publish hints, solutions and lessons learned).
• Publish scripts/tools on GitHub.
• Share short explainers or demo clips on YouTube or LinkedIn.

Trusted links & further reading

• TryHackMe — Beginner paths & rooms
• HackTheBox — Practice machines
• Cybrary — Free courses
• OWASP — Web security resources
• Open Security Training — In-depth lectures

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I become job-ready using only free resources?

A: Yes — many professionals started with free labs and community resources. Combine practical labs, a visible portfolio, and targeted paid certification if needed.

Q: Which one should I start with — TryHackMe or HackTheBox?

A: Start with TryHackMe for guided learning; switch to HackTheBox to challenge yourself with realistic machines as you progress.

Q: Are certifications necessary?

A: Not mandatory for entry-level roles, but certifications (CompTIA Security+, eJPT, OSCP) help in some hiring scenarios. Use free resources first and consider certs later.

Final thoughts — learn by doing

Cybersecurity learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Use the free resources above, stay consistent, document your work, and join communities. Within months you’ll have practical skills and a portfolio that speaks louder than any resume line.

Ready to start? Try a TryHackMe beginner room today and add your first write-up to a GitHub repo — small steps compound fast.

© 2025 DailyTrendz · dailytrendz.blog

Disclaimer: Links point to third-party resources. Check platform terms and follow legal/ethical guidelines while practicing cybersecurity techniques.