How did YOU learn?

To put this bluntly, how did most of you learn how to test for penetration (not to use the H word) and do other stuff? You can't learn that much by just experimenting, so how did you learn? By books, friends, or other people online? I'm just interested...

J_K9

I'm in the process of learning, and I find using other people is the way to go. AO tutorials are a great start...

My methods of learning include (but not limited to the following):

- books on specific and general computer topics
- manuals
- experimentation
- talking with others
- forum discussions and reading forums
- mailing list discussions (primarily Full Disclosure)
- teaching and getting feedback (if you can explain it, generally you understand it).
- going through concepts in my head (generally the "What if ..." kind of scenario stuff)

There is, IMO, no single path to enlightenment. It's all a matter of how curious and dedicated you are. :)

Thanks guys, anyone else wanna contribute...

i use to learn about those tools and technics on foruns like this. Someone bring the subject, i do some more research and TRY it. For me its the best path for learning. Read others' tuts and articles, research about it and try it on a controlled environment.

Playing wargames with other techie people..

I like going to security events / on-topic lan parties..

hackme's (online)

College and Personal Experimentation
Security is an ongoing subject to learn.

Just like you mate I'm still learning as well. Mostly just through experimentation, sometimes through other mates.

Anyway at least it's good to see that everyone is willing to help you.

Pah, the Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking of course! ;-)

When I was very young I copied a version of Visual Studio from a family member. The end.

Tutorials, Books, discussions and lots of lots of research.

In addition to all of the above I'd like to point out that most of us took years to master the art. Some do it faster, some slower. Just don't expect to know everything we know in a couple of days/weeks. It took years of experience to get where I am now. I've progressed from helpdesk, NT admin, network admin to security specialist.

Maybe you should start with something you can do and work your way up?

Well,

As most of us, I also am still in the progress of learning, but i must say i learned a damn lot in the past year and a half. I can say now i have a very solid base now, and i'm learning now to refine everything now. Dunno how long it will take but i will get there. I very much like to search-and-try one every topic/discussion i come along. Sometimes it are for.ex. just try-outs from for.ex. the securityfocus mailinglists.

Heh, this my experience and i like it so far ...

Greetz,

Meh. I'm still learning, of course. Like just about everybody else in here. ;)

As for how I learn...

One word: reading.

The sheer amount of info. available to me is overwhelming.