Welcome to Technology Moment — your trusted hub for decoding the ever-evolving world of tech. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into hacking or you’re already knee-deep in kernel exploits, having the right resources can be a game changer. That’s why we’ve put together this carefully curated list of the Top 18 Hacking Books, organized by skill level—from absolute beginners to specialized experts.
At Technology Moment, we don’t just follow trends—we break them down so you can grow your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and stay ahead of the curve. Ready to find the next book that will level up your hacking game? Let’s dive in.
When most people hear the word “hacking,” they either think of movie-style cyber criminals or elite tech geniuses tapping away in a dark basement. But hacking is much more than that—it’s about understanding how systems work, finding their vulnerabilities, and learning how to secure or exploit them ethically.
Whether your goal is to become a cybersecurity professional, an ethical hacker, or you’re just curious about the world behind the screen, reading the right books at the right stage of your journey can speed up your learning and deepen your understanding.
This article is your go-to guide for the best hacking books out there, no matter what level you’re at. From total beginner to advanced specialist, we’ve broken down the best reads for each stage:
- Easy-to-follow beginner books that break things down clearly
- Foundational books that build your skills step-by-step
- Intermediate guides that get into the nitty-gritty
- Advanced and expert books that challenge your thinking
- Specialized reads for those diving deep into areas like malware analysis, reverse engineering, or blue teaming
Ready to explore? Let’s start with the best books for absolute beginners.
Table of Contents
Beginner Level Hacking Books
This section is tailored for people who are just starting their journey in hacking. Maybe you’ve never written a line of code, or perhaps you’re familiar with some tech concepts but don’t know how they connect in the context of cybersecurity. If you’re asking questions like:
- “What exactly is ethical hacking?”
- “How do hackers think?”
- “Where should I even begin?”
…then this level is for you.
At this stage, you don’t need a computer science degree or any prior experience. What you need is a solid foundation and a good sense of how things work under the hood—books that ease you into the concepts without making your head explode.
Top 3 Books for Beginners
1. Jon Erickson’s “Hacking: The Art of Exploitation”
What sets it apart is how it combines theory and practical skills. Rather than just telling you what hacking is, it shows you—walking you through the logic behind buffer overflows, networking, programming, and shellcode.
It even comes with a bootable Linux environment, so you don’t need to worry about messing up your own system while you practice. You’ll get your hands dirty learning basic C programming, assembly language, and how exploits work from the inside out.
Why it’s great: It’s immersive, beginner-friendly (with effort), and perfect for people who learn by doing.
2. “The Hacker Playbook 2” by Peter Kim
This book reads like a hacking field manual. It’s filled with step-by-step tutorials and walkthroughs for common real-world hacking scenarios, like network scanning, exploitation, and privilege escalation.
While technically the second in the series, this book is easy enough for beginners to follow, especially those who want practical, real-world applications rather than just theory.
Why it’s great: It’s hands-on, action-oriented, and makes you feel like you’re already in the game.
3. “Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking” by Georgia Weidman
Georgia Weidman breaks down key concepts in penetration testing, from setting up your lab to exploiting basic vulnerabilities. You’ll learn about Kali Linux, Metasploit, wireless attacks, web app hacking, and mobile hacking.
Everything is explained clearly, with screenshots and practical labs. It’s ideal for people who want to understand ethical hacking step-by-step with no fluff.
Why it’s great: It’s comprehensive, lab-based, and written by one of the most respected professionals in the field.
Foundation Level Hacking Books
The Foundation Level is perfect for those who’ve already dipped their toes into basic hacking concepts and want to build a solid understanding. Maybe you’ve finished a beginner course or played around with tools like Kali Linux or Wireshark. You’re comfortable with command-line interfaces and basic scripting—but now you want to go deeper.
At this stage, it’s not just about knowing what to do, but why and how it works behind the scenes.
Top 3 Books for Building a Strong Base
1. David Kennedy’s “Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide”
This book walks you through one of the most popular exploitation frameworks—Metasploit. It’s hands-on and ideal for learning how to use exploits, payloads, and modules to test the vulnerabilities of systems safely and legally.
You’ll learn:
- Setting up a test lab
- Conducting reconnaissance
- Launching exploits and writing custom payloads
2. “Black Hat Python” by Justin Seitz
This one’s a game-changer if you want to blend programming with hacking. It’s tailored to black-hat techniques for educational purposes, and teaches Python through real-world offensive hacking use cases.
You’ll cover:
- Keylogging and screen capturing
- Network sniffing and packet crafting
- Automating attacks with Python scripts
3. “Linux Basics for Hackers” by OccupyTheWeb
If you want to hack, you’ve got to know Linux. This book covers the essentials of Linux with a hacker’s mindset. It’s made for aspiring ethical hackers who want to understand file systems, permissions, networking, and bash scripting.
You’ll learn:
- How to become an expert at using the Linux terminal
- Installing and using hacking tools
- Writing basic shell scripts
Key Skills You’ll Learn
- Command-line mastery
- Scripting in Python and Bash
- Using penetration testing tools
- Understanding Linux security principles
Intermediate Level Hacking Books
At the Intermediate Level, you’re past the basics and ready to explore real-world exploitation, reverse engineering, and network-level attacks. You may have some experience with CTFs (Capture The Flag challenges) or labs like Hack The Box and want to deepen your ability to understand and analyze systems.
This level is about sharpening your tools and learning to think like an attacker.
Top 3 Books for Intermediate Hackers
1. “The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook”
This is the holy grail for anyone interested in web application security. It breaks down vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and authentication bypasses, using real examples and scenarios.
You’ll master:
- Web protocols like HTTP, cookies, and sessions
- Attacking common web flaws
- Manual and automated web testing techniques
2. “Practical Malware Analysis” by Michael Sikorski and Andrew Honig
An absolute gem if you’re interested in reverse engineering malware. It teaches how to dissect malicious code using tools like IDA Pro and OllyDbg.
You’ll explore:
- Static vs dynamic analysis
- Debugging and disassembling malware
- Recognizing anti-analysis tricks used by threat actors
3. “Network Security Assessment” by Chris McNab
This is your go-to guide for offensive security assessment of networks and systems. It covers modern networks and includes detailed checklists and tools for identifying vulnerabilities.
Inside you’ll find:
- Recon and scanning techniques
- Evaluating firewalls, VPNs, and routers
- Testing wireless networks and internal infrastructure
What Makes These Books a Step Up
These books dig deeper into complex attack surfaces and demand more technical fluency. They bridge the gap between being a script-kiddie and someone who truly understands system behaviors and exploits vulnerabilities.
Advanced Level Hacking Books
Welcome to the big leagues. If you’re here, you’ve likely written your own exploits, done red team engagements, or reverse engineered binaries. This level is for serious hackers, security engineers, and penetration testers who want to go beyond typical training materials and enter the world of zero-day analysis, advanced persistence, and stealth hacking.
Top 3 Books for Advanced Hackers
1. “Rootkits: Subverting the Windows Kernel”
This one is all about stealth and persistence. You’ll learn how rootkits are used to manipulate the Windows kernel to hide files, processes, and even entire hacking toolkits.
You’ll master:
- Windows internals
- Device driver development
- Kernel hooking and stealth techniques
2. “Advanced Penetration Testing” by Wil Allsopp
This book walks through full-blown attacks on enterprise environments. It focuses on how attackers breach networks and maintain access under real-world conditions.
Inside you’ll find:
- Social engineering and advanced phishing
- Pivoting and lateral movement
- Post-exploitation techniques at scale
3. “Reversing: Secrets of Reverse Engineering”
If you want to get into deep binary analysis, this book is a goldmine. It teaches reverse engineering across platforms and gives you the skills to understand compiled code and find vulnerabilities others miss.
You’ll learn:
- Assembly language concepts
- Using disassemblers and debuggers
- Software protection and cracking methods
Advanced Concepts Covered
- Writing and detecting rootkits
- Deep dive into Windows internals and assembly
- Enterprise-level penetration strategies
- Bypassing AVs and EDRs
- Complex malware reverse engineering
Expert Level Hacking Books
Now, you’re ready to explore deep system internals, advanced forensics, and exploit development. This level is for serious professionals, red teamers, and cybersecurity veterans aiming to fine-tune their skillsets or break into highly specialized roles.
Top 3 Books for Experts
1. “The Art of Memory Forensics”
This book is your go-to guide for analyzing volatile memory to detect malware and rootkits. It’s incredibly thorough and ideal for incident response and forensic investigations. You’ll learn how to use tools like Volatility and Rekall to dissect live memory and uncover even stealthiest threats.
2. “The Shellcoder’s Handbook”
A must-read for anyone who wants to dive deep into exploit development. It covers techniques like buffer overflows, format string vulnerabilities, and shellcode crafting—topics that are absolutely essential if you want to understand software vulnerabilities at their root.
3. Julian James McKinnon “Hacking”
Despite the misleading title, this book actually scales well into advanced topics too. It’s great for experts who want a refresher across multiple domains like ethical hacking, cryptography, and social engineering. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife—compact but powerful.
The Edge These Books Provide
Expert-level books don’t just teach you how to hack—they train you to think like a hacker. They enhance your ability to find creative solutions, anticipate system vulnerabilities, and build custom tools. These books will push your technical limits and give you an edge in highly competitive roles like exploit development, threat hunting, and red teaming.
Specialization Level Hacking Books
This level is all about niche mastery. Maybe you’re a malware analyst, a machine learning engineer focused on cybersecurity, or a member of a blue team defending critical infrastructure. Specialization-level books cater to very specific domains and are often used by professionals who already have years of experience.
Top 3 Specialized Books
1. Michael Hale Ligh, Steven Adair, Blake Hartstein, and Matthew Richard “Malware Analyst’s Cookbook and DVD”
Packed with recipes for analyzing malicious software, this book is a dream for malware analysts. It’s not just reading—it’s hands-on lab time in book form.
2. David Freeman and Clarence Chio’s “Machine Learning and Security”
This is where cutting-edge tech meets cybersecurity. The book teaches how machine learning can detect anomalies, phishing, and fraud. It’s technical and requires some data science knowledge, but it opens doors to next-gen defense systems.
3. “Cybersecurity Blue Team Toolkit” by Nadean Tanner
Perfect for defenders, this toolkit walks you through incident response, threat intelligence, log analysis, and more. Blue teamers—those who defend rather than attack—will find this book an indispensable resource in securing digital environments.
Going Deep into Niches
Specialization books help you build authority in focused areas. Whether it’s reverse engineering firmware, training neural nets for intrusion detection, or conducting forensic investigations, these books are tailored for domain-specific excellence. They don’t just educate—they elevate.
Tips for Choosing the Right Book for Your Level
1. Know Where You Are
Before picking a book, ask yourself honestly: What do I already know? If basic networking or operating system concepts still confuse you, don’t jump into advanced malware analysis.
- Beginner: You’re new to IT/security; look for books with definitions, diagrams, and labs.
- Intermediate: You’ve done some ethical hacking or coding; aim for books with real-world applications.
- Advanced/Expert: You’re ready to get your hands dirty with system-level exploits, reverse engineering, or memory forensics.
2. Align With Your Goals
Where do you want to go? Penetration tester, red teamer, SOC analyst, reverse engineer, forensic investigator? Your career path should shape your reading list.
- Red Team? -> Go for offensive security books.
- Blue Team? -> Dive into defense and monitoring.
- Cyber Forensics? -> Memory forensics and malware analysis are your go-tos.
3. Don’t Ignore the Publication Date
Cybersecurity evolves fast. A book from 2010 may be solid in theory, but outdated in tools and techniques. Always balance timeless concepts with modern relevance.
4. Check the Author’s Background
Is the author a security researcher, a professional pentester, or someone just compiling basic info? Prefer books by practitioners who’ve been in the trenches.
5. Mix Theory With Practice
Some books are conceptual, others offer labs and tools. Theory without hands-on skills is like learning to swim on dry land.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity and ethical hacking, staying updated and constantly learning is not just recommended—it’s essential. This curated list of books offers a structured roadmap for your hacking journey, no matter where you’re starting from.
For beginners, the focus is on understanding the fundamentals—things like how systems work, what vulnerabilities are, and how to think like a hacker. As you move into the foundation and intermediate levels, you’ll begin to experiment with real-world tools, dive into network and web application security, and even start coding exploits. At the advanced and expert levels, the content gets more intense—covering reverse engineering, memory forensics, and building your own tools. Finally, for those looking to specialize, we’ve recommended books that focus on malware analysis, machine learning in security, and blue teaming strategies.
Whether your goal is to become a penetration tester, a malware analyst, a red teamer, or a cybersecurity consultant, this list offers a book (or three) for every level of your learning curve.
So, pick the right level for yourself, grab a book, and get started. Who knows? The next cybersecurity wizard the world talks about—might just be you.
FAQs
How long does it take to learn hacking?
It really depends on how deep you want to go. If you’re learning part-time, expect to take 3–6 months to get a basic grip, and 1–2 years for professional-level expertise. Consistency is key. Books, hands-on labs, and real practice will speed up the process.
Are these books suitable for ethical hacking?
Yes, all the books listed in this article are ethically focused. They’re commonly used by white hat hackers, security professionals, and penetration testers. You’ll learn how to ethically break systems to help secure them—not to harm.
Can I learn hacking without a degree?
Absolutely! Many ethical hackers and cybersecurity pros are self-taught through books, online courses, and hands-on experience. A degree can help in some career paths, but your skills and certifications (like CEH, OSCP) often matter more.
Do I need to learn programming first?
Not necessarily. You can start with basic hacking concepts without knowing how to code. But eventually, if you want to write or understand exploits, you’ll need to learn languages like Python, C, or Bash. Several books on our list teach coding alongside hacking.
What’s the difference between black hat and white hat hackers?
- Black hat hackers are the “bad guys.” They hack to steal, destroy, or exploit systems illegally.
- White hat hackers are also known as the “good guys.” They apply their expertise to identify and address security vulnerabilities before the adversaries do.
- There are also gray hat hackers, who sit somewhere in between.
