Since you changed your initial post, (which you probably should have left intact for the edification of others and simply added to the thread - no criticism intended), I have a couple of things for you to think about/try out.

1. You are much better off remaining within the law than outside it - trust me.... OK
2. While the net is a wonderful "fountain of knowledge" you learn nothing from having someone tell you "this is how you do it".... You'll forget how in 6 months unless you do it daily.
3. The beauty of computer security is that you _always_ start at a disadvantage... You are the mouse while they are the cat and they produce the exploit..... all you can do is mitigate if you receive the "zero day".... So you need to know the OS, networking, the "enemy" etc. etc. etc. - learning it is fun and opens a whole world of possibility.
4. Attention to detail - Attention to detail - Attention to detail - Attention to detail... should I say more?
5. Google - Google - Google - Google - Google - Google.... should I say more?
6. If you think you know the OS, networking, the "enemy", etc. etc. etc. you are probably wrong.... SO.... learn more..... But don't think that you can't win a battle with a L33t H@x0r just because he's better than you...... You can..... If you do it right and understand _what_ he might have done......

Good luck..... Ask questions, we can help.... there is such a base of talent here.... Just ask like you want to learn how to secure rather than how to break......