Imposter Girl

Hello people,

I am using this platform like my own therapy account and also this is my first article.

Since childhood, we were pushed to meet the demands and expectations of our parents and society and live upto their expectations.

This article will be for all the girlies struggling in tech industry.

I know very few people who are in Cyberbersecurity and it is 2025 and i got very few years to achieve my goals. If you are with me in this jouney then please feel free to follow. I will be putting all the cybersecurity related content and stuff that i read and understood on that day so that it can help you as well. Even if you are noob/ beginner or just wanna learn cool tech stuff, don't worry. Am with you on this journey :)

Let's see the topics that we will cover throughout our journey or next interview process. Making the content for complete Beginners and noobs.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Computers & Networking (1 Month)

Cybersecurity is about protecting computers, networks, and data. But first, you need to understand:

✅ How computers work (operating systems, files, processes)

✅ What is the internet & networking (WiFi, routers, IP addresses)

✅ How hackers attack systems (malware, phishing, hacking methods)

📖 Resources:

Computer Basics: Watch "How Computers Work" on YouTube. If you are already ahead of this then good for you.

Networking: Google "TCP/IP Basics" and watch a few videos. Watch very short videos and complete them soon.

Operating Systems: Learn basic Linux and Windows commands

🛠 Hands-on Practice:

Install Kali Linux (a hacking OS) in a virtual machine. This is the best for Cybersecurity professionals.

Try running basic commands: ls, cd, mkdir, rm, etc.

🎯 Goal: By the end of this step, you should be comfortable with computers, networking, and basic Linux commands.

Step 2: Learn Cybersecurity Fundamentals (1-2 Months)

Now that you understand computers, it's time to learn what cybersecurity is and how attacks happen.

✅ Understand Cybersecurity Concepts:

What is cybersecurity? (Protecting computers & data)

What is a firewall? (A security barrier for networks)

What are viruses, malware, and phishing?

What are password attacks & social engineering?

✅ Learn About Common Cyber Threats

There are 10 major security weaknesses called OWASP Top 10:

SQL Injection (Hacking databases)

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (Injecting code into websites)

Broken Authentication (Stealing passwords)

📖 Resources:

TryHackMe Pre-Security Path (Easy & beginner-friendly)

Google "OWASP Top 10 Explained for Beginners". Even i should explore this haha.

🎯 Goal: You should now understand cybersecurity threats and basic attacks.

Step 3: Choose a Path in Cybersecurity (1 Month)

Cybersecurity has many career paths. Here are three common ones:

🔹 1. Ethical Hacking (Offensive Security / Pentesting)

If you want to break into systems and find vulnerabilities, this is for you.

You’ll learn tools like Burp Suite, Metasploit, and Wireshark.

Best for people who love problem-solving. I will be going ahead with this.

🔹 2. Defensive Security (Blue Team / SOC Analyst)

If you want to defend systems and catch hackers, this is for you.

You’ll learn about SIEM tools, monitoring, and log analysis.

Best for people who like investigation.

🔹 3. Application Security (Securing Websites & Apps)

If you like coding and security, this is a great mix.

You’ll learn about secure coding, API security, and DevSecOps.

🎯 Goal: Pick a cybersecurity path based on what interests you the most.

Step 4: Start Hands-on Hacking & Practice (2-3 Months)

✅ Set up a hacking lab on your computer

✅ Learn hacking tools:

Nmap (Find open ports on a network)

Burp Suite (Hack websites)

Metasploit (Exploit vulnerabilities)

✅ Start hacking legally on TryHackMe & Hack The Box

TryHackMe: "Jr Penetration Tester Path"

Hack The Box: "Starting Point"

🎯 Goal: You should now be able to perform basic ethical hacking and security testing.

Step 5: Learn Python for Automation (2 Months)

To become a professional, you must learn basic programming. Python is the best choice because:

✔ You can automate hacking tools

✔ You can write scripts for cybersecurity tasks

✔ Most security tools are built with Python

📖 Resources:

Google "Python for Beginners"

TryHackMe: Python for Security

🎯 Goal: Be able to write basic Python scripts for security tasks.

Step 6: Get Certified to Boost Your Resume

Cybersecurity certifications help you get a job faster. Here are some beginner-friendly ones:

📌 For Ethical Hacking:

🔹 eJPT (Junior Penetration Tester) – Best for beginners

🔹 CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) – Recognized globally

📌 For Defensive Security:

🔹 CompTIA Security+ – Best for SOC Analysts

📌 For Application Security:

🔹 Burp Suite Certified Practitioner (BCP) – Best for web security

🎯 Goal: Pass one certification to make your resume stronger.

Step 7: Apply for Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs

Now that you have knowledge, hands-on experience, and a certification, it’s time to apply for jobs.

✅ Create a Cybersecurity Resume

Mention your TryHackMe / Hack The Box scores

List your projects (Python scripts, reports, research)

Highlight any certifications you earned

✅ Apply for Jobs Like:

SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center)

Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)

Application Security Analyst

🎯 Goal: Land your first job in cybersecurity.

🚀 Next Steps for You

🔹 Start with TryHackMe Pre-Security Path

🔹 Learn Basic Linux & Networking

🔹 Pick a Cybersecurity Path (Pentesting, SOC, or AppSec)

🔹 Get hands-on practice with hacking tools

🔹 Work towards a certification like eJPT or Security+

This roadmap will take 6-8 months to complete if you are consistent but i believe we can do it soon. If someone is already in cybersecurity, please comment your suggestions.

Apart from this, you can also suggest me on any other content that you would like me to up.

P.S - I hope this page is unnoticed as this is my secretive place haha. But if you find me then hushhh. Let's figure out things on our own first and then shout and say the world :)