1. Learn TCP/IP, Basic Information gathering, Proxies, Socks, SSL, VPN, VPS, RDP, FTP, POP3, SMTP, Telnet, SSH.
2. Learn Linux, Unix, Windows - You can do this using vmware or any virtual desktop utility.
3. Learn a programming language that's compatible with all OS - Perl, Python, C, ASM
4. Learn HTML, PHP, Javascript, ASP, XML, SQL, XSS, SQLI, RFI, LFI
5. Learn Reverse engineering and crack some programs for serials easy ones like mirc, winzip, winrar or old games.
6. Code a fuzzer for common protocols - ftp, pop3, 80, 8080 - Pick some free software like ftp server, mail server, apache or iis webserver or a webserver all-in-one pack, or teamspeak, ventrilo, mumble.
7. Code a tool that uses grep to sort out unique code in source codes.
8. Make a custom IPtable, IPsec firewall that blocks all incoming traffic and out going traffic and add filters to accept certain ports that your software or scripts use.
9. Pick a kernel in linux or unix, also pick a Microsoft OS version lets say Winxp pro sp2 put them on the virtual desktops (vmware) and find and code a new local exploit in those versions, then install a Apache webserver on the Linux/Unix and a IIS webserver on the winxp pro and attempt to find and code a new local reverse_tcp_shell exploit.
10. Learn Cisco Router and Switch configuration and setup.
11. Learn Checkpoint Setup and Config
12. Learn Wifi scanning, cracking, sniffing.
13. Pick a person in you phonebook for the area code you live in or city then ring the person on a anonymous line like skype or a payphone or a carded sim and attempt to social engineer the person for his name, address, data of birth, city born, country born, ISP connected with, Phone company connected with, What bank he/she uses and anything else you can get. Then Attempt to ring using a spoof caller ID software with the person's phone number - call the ISP and try reset the password to his/her internet connection/web-mail, get access to bank account or ask them to send out a new *** to a new address (drop) with a new pin, reset of phone company passwords.
14. Use your information gathering skills to get all the information off a website like a shop then use the spoof caller-id software or hack your phone to show a new number of the Webserver's Tech Support number then ring the shop owner and try get the shop site password.
15. Do the same thing but attempt to use a web attack against a site or shop to gain admin access.
16. Once got access upload a shell and attempt to exploit the server to gain root using a exploit you coded not someone else s exploit.
17. Make your own Linux Distro
18. Use your own Linux Distro or use a vanilla Linux gnome (not kde) keep it with not much graphics so you can learn how to depend on the terminal and start from scratch install applications that you will only need for a blackbox (Security test box), make folders for fuzzers, exploits, scanners..etc Then load them up with your own scripts and other tools ( By this stage you shouldn't need to depend on other peoples scripts).
19. Learn macosx and attempt to gain access to a Macosx box whether it be your own or someone's else.
20. Create a secure home network and secure your own systems with your own Security policies and firewall settings.

All this isn't a over night learning it will take a nice 3 - 4 years to learn a bit of this 5+ years to learn most of it and even then you may need time to keep learn as IT keeps changing ever day.

As long as your dedicated to learning you won't have any problems and if you learn all that you should easy get a job in any company if you show proof that you can do these things (print out scripts that you made or put on disc) to show the companies.

Looking for best best hacking books? We have short listed some of the highly recommended books for beginners and advanced hackers. The ethical hacking books may help you get the best security professional job you aspire. 

The job of a ethical hacker is to perform hacking to protect from crackers (unethical hackers). Some of these hacking books for beginners are about basic concepts, whereas other books focus on more advanced hacking techniques that experienced hacker can use. 

Hacking is considered to be a two-way tool wherein a computer system is penetrated either to make it more secure or to create mischief. Ethical hackingis defined as making use of programming skills, so as to penetrate a computer system, and determine its vulnerabilities. The ethical hackers are skilled computer experts, often called as the "white hats". As against non-ethical hackers or "black hats" that penetrate into a computer system and exploit it for their own personal gains or mischief, the “white hats” evaluate and point out the vulnerabilities of system software, and suggest system changes to make it less penetrable.

With an increase in the use of Internet, concerns regarding its security have also grown manifold. This is particularly true in the case of highly confidential data. There have been past instances where the sites owned by even the most influential organizations have been hacked. This calls for designing systems which are impenetrable or an identification of the weaknesses of an existing system. Due to this reason, there is now a high demand for computer experts who can conduct ethical hacking operations. 

Most of the organizations seek to acquire ethical hacking services from full-time employees or consultants so as to ensure security of their systems and information, thus making ethical hacking a highly lucrative profession. 

Are you willing to become an ethical hacker? One of the best way is to start reading books about hacking and try it yourself. Some of the best how to hack books that an aspiring ethical hacker must read are:

Hacking: The Art of Exploitation, 2nd Edition

This hacking book is a must read for beginners. This book focuses on many common obstacles people face during beginning of the ethical hacking job. This book can help beginners do their job more efficiently.

This is one of the best books which will take you through the technicalities of areas like programming, shell code and exploitation. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or have very little hacking knowledge, this book will help you understand the complexities of the digital security tasks.

This excellent and well written book will make you learn all the clever stuff of getting access to a system. All in all, the best book to buy.

The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing: Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Made Easy (Syngress Basics Series)

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The best thing about this book is that it covers all the basics of penetration testing and hacking, without assuming that the reader has any prior hacking knowledge. It provides a step-by-step journey of penetration testing, moving from Information Gathering to Scanning, Exploitation and finally, Report Writing. 

Instead of dealing with individual concepts in-depth, this book will provide you with a wholesome picture of hacking

Metasploit: The Penetration Tester's Guide

This book deals with Penetration Testing by making use of the open source Metasploit Framework testing. It is suitable for readers who have no prior knowledge of Metasploit. The tutorial-like style of the book makes you learn things by doing them.

The ending of the book provides you with an actual penetration test’s simulated version so as to provide you with a realistic experience.

BackTrack 5 Wireless Penetration Testing Beginner's Guide

Right from the beginning, this book gives you what you need, without wasting time in unnecessary justifications. Instead of explaining only theoretical concepts, the book consists of finely tuned and crystal clear tutorials. It provides a good mix of basics and high level knowledge and works cohesively with the reader.

CEH Certified Ethical Hacker All-in-One Exam Guide

This is undoubtedly one of the most well written books of all times. It provides crisp and clear writing with relevant examples along with a humorous touch to enliven the dry and mundane subject. The contents of the book are well organized in a neither too chatty nor too dry manner. However, you require some basic networking background to derive full benefits from this book.

CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide

This certification book is easy to read, straightforward and explains some of the complex topics in an excellent manner. All you need to do in order to pass the test is to read the book and do the practice exercises. In addition to this, the “remember this sections” and the content headers highlight all the key topics that one must pay attention to. So, if you wish to straightaway get down to the study material without wasting time on esoteric gibberish, this is the book for you.

Although, hacking may sound like an interesting area of study, when it comes to the application of the various concepts of penetration testing, it is easier said than done. In addition to having an educational background in the field of computer science, the hackers must have an affinity to learning and acquiring new skills on an ongoing basis. Also, the ethical hackers must possess out-of-the box thinking so that they are able to come with maximum number of possible ways of designing and securing a computer system.