OverviewStart here2 min
System Hacking
Passwords, privilege escalation and covering tracks.
About this module
This is where an attacker tries to get in and take over: cracking passwords, stealing or passing Windows hashes, and escalating from a normal user to full admin. It is the largest module. Everything here is taught defense-first — you learn what each attack is called (for the exam) and, just as importantly, how defenders detect and stop it.
What you will learn
- Password cracking methods and attack types
- NTLM, the SAM and where hashes live
- Kerberos, and why salting matters
- Vertical vs horizontal privilege escalation
- Active Directory attacks (BloodHound, DCSync)
- RCE, keyloggers, covering tracks and defenses
Module roadmap
01Password Cracking BasicsLesson 1 · ~5 min
02Windows Authentication & HashesLesson 2 · ~5 min
03Kerberos & SaltingLesson 3 · ~5 min
04Privilege EscalationLesson 4 · ~5 min
05Active Directory AttacksLesson 5 · ~5 min
06Executing Applications: RCE & KeyloggersLesson 6 · ~4 min
07Covering Tracks & How Defenders Catch ItLesson 7 · ~4 min
08System Hacking CountermeasuresLesson 8 · ~4 min
09Lab: Crack a Weak HashLab · ~40 min
10AssessmentAssessment · ~5 min
How to study: read a lesson → answer its 2 "Check yourself" questions → do the lab → pass the assessment with 80%+. Lessons 1, 2, 3 and 4 are the most tested. Practice only on your own lab VM.