Excerpts from “Become a Cyber Security Specialist: Volume 1,” created by Nathan House.
The course covers a wide range of topics including operating system security, encryption, isolation techniques, and understanding the threat landscape, including the methods of hackers and government agencies. A certificate of completion is provided, and testimonials highlight the course’s clarity, depth, and effectiveness for both beginners and those with some prior knowledge, often exceeding the practical application gained from traditional education. The course is the initial part of a four-volume series aimed at achieving an advanced level of expertise in digital security, privacy, and anonymity.
Overview
This document provides a review of the main themes and key concepts presented in the first volume of “The Complete Cyber Security Course: Hackers Exposed!”. This volume serves as the foundational element of a four-volume series designed to equip individuals with advanced practical skills to defend against a wide range of online threats and pursue a career in cyber security.
Main Themes:
The primary themes explored in this volume revolve around building a strong foundational understanding of cyber security, focusing on practical defensive skills, and raising awareness of the evolving threat landscape. Key areas covered include:
- Defeating Online Threats: The course emphasizes developing an “advanced practical skillset in defeating all online threats – advanced hackers, trackers, malware and all Internet nastiness & govenment mass surveillance.” This highlights the practical and defensive nature of the curriculum.
- Building a Career in Cyber Security: A stated goal is to help individuals “Start a career in cyber security. Become a cyber security specialist.” The course aims to take individuals from beginner to advanced levels.
- Understanding the Threat Landscape: The volume dedicates significant attention to exploring the various threats individuals face online, including “Darknets, dark markets, zero day vulnerabilities, exploit kits, malware, phishing and much more.” This provides context for the defensive strategies taught.
- Operating System Security and Privacy: A crucial component is understanding and securing major operating systems, with coverage of “operating system security, privacy, and patching – On Windows, MacOS and Linux.” Specific attention is given to mitigating “Windows 10 privacy issues.”
- Encryption: The course offers a “complete easy to follow crash course on encryption,” including how it can be bypassed and how to mitigate related risks.
- Isolation and Compartmentalization: This is presented as an “extremely important, but underused security control.” The course covers practical methods like “sandboxes, application isolation, virtual machines, Whonix and Qubes OS.”
- Nation State Surveillance: The volume delves into the capabilities of global tracking and hacking infrastructures run by “nation state secret tracking and hacking infrastructure,” citing agencies like the NSA, FBI, CIA, GCHQ, and China’s MSS.
Most Important Ideas and Facts:
Several key ideas and facts stand out as central to the first volume:
- Practical Skillset is Paramount: The course prioritizes practical skills over purely theoretical knowledge. This is evident in the description’s emphasis on learning a “practical skill-set” and the positive reviews highlighting the hands-on nature (“he shows you everything like literally, and you as student, you can also do the same things that he do!”).
- Holistic Approach to Security: Volume 1 lays the groundwork for a comprehensive approach, covering threats, vulnerabilities, operating system security, encryption, and isolation. It aims to provide “the fundamental building blocks of your required skill set.”
- Understanding the Attacker Mindset: The course explores “the Darknet and mindset of the cyber criminal,” which is crucial for effective defense.
- Focus on Personal Security and Privacy: While applicable to businesses, the course is primarily delivered from the perspective of an individual seeking “personal and home Internet security, privacy, and anonymity.”
- Foundation for Advanced Knowledge: This volume is explicitly stated as “Volume 1 of 4 of your complete guide to cyber security privacy and anonymity.” It sets the stage for deeper dives in subsequent volumes, with the promise that completing all four will result in knowing “more than 80% of security professionals, government and law enforcement agents and even expert hackers about maintaining security, privacy, and anonymity.”
- Instructor Expertise: The course is led by Nathan House, a highly experienced cyber security expert with over 25 years in the field and a strong track record of advising major companies and securing significant financial transactions. His credentials (BSc. (Hons), SCF, CISSP, CISA, CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, CEH, OSCP) and awards (“Cyber Security Educator of the Year 2020”) lend significant credibility to the content.
Quotes from Original Sources:
- “An advanced practical skillset in defeating all online threats – advanced hackers, trackers, malware and all Internet nastiness & govenment mass surveillance.”
- “Start a career in cyber security. Become a cyber security specialist.”
- “Explore the threat landscape – Darknets, dark markets, zero day vulnerabilities, exploit kits, malware, phishing and much more.”
- “We cover operating system security, privacy, and patching – On Windows, MacOS and Linux.”
- “You will master encryption in an easy to follow crash course.”
- “Go in-depth into security through physical and virtual isolation and compartmentalization. Covering sandboxes, isolation, virtual machines, Whonix and Qubes OS.”
- “You will learn about nation state secret tracking and hacking infrastructure.”
- “Covering all major platforms – Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, MacOS and Linux.”
- “You will understand the threat and vulnerability landscape through threat modeling and risk assessments.”
- “We explore the Darknet and mindset of the cyber criminal.”
- “You will understand the foundations of operating system security and privacy functionality.”
- “There is a complete easy to follow crash course on encryption, how encryption can be bypassed and what you can do to mitigate the risks.”
- “Master defenses against phishing, SMShing, vishing, identity theft, scam, cons and other social engineering threats.”
- “Finally we cover the extremely important, but underused security control of isolation and compartmentalization.”
- “This is volume 1 of 4 of your complete guide to cyber security privacy and anonymity.”
- “For beginners and intermediate Internet users who are interested in security, safety, and privacy.”
- “This course is designed for personal and home Internet security, privacy, and anonymity.”
- “After the completion of all 4 volumes, you will know more than 80% of security professionals, government and law enforcement agents and even expert hackers about maintaining security, privacy, and anonymity.”
- “As a beginner in cybersecurity, I find this course very amazing. The course is loaded with many important concepts that cannot be grasped just by going through it once. However, this is a great course for beginners in cybersecurity.” (Fidelis A., featured review)
- “I was absolutely blown away by the depth and clarity of this lesson. It took complex concepts that I had only a vague understanding of and broke them down into easily digestible pieces. I especially appreciated the real-world examples that made the material relatable and engaging.” (Somsak P., featured review)
- “I love how Nathan explains complex topics in a very clear way. He does a fantastic job as an instructor.” (Christeen F., featured review)
- “Because its not just someone yapping about cyber security with slide show in the background, NO he shows you everything like literally, and you as student, you can also do the same things that he do!” (Deron R., featured review)
Conclusion:
“Become a Cyber Security Specialist: Volume 1” appears to be a comprehensive and practical introductory course designed to provide individuals with a strong foundation in cyber security. It emphasizes hands-on learning, covers a broad range of relevant topics from threat landscapes to practical defensive techniques like encryption and isolation, and is taught by a highly experienced professional. The course is positioned as the essential first step in a more extensive learning journey, promising a high level of expertise upon completion of the full series. It is particularly well-suited for beginners and intermediate users seeking to enhance their personal and home online security and privacy, or those aspiring to enter the cyber security field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the “Become a Cyber Security Specialist” course (Volume 1)?
- The main objective of Volume 1 is to provide individuals with a foundational, yet advanced, practical skillset to defend against a wide array of online threats. This includes protecting against advanced hackers, trackers, various forms of malware, zero-day vulnerabilities, exploit kits, cybercriminals, and even nation-state surveillance. It aims to take users from a beginner level to an advanced understanding of essential cyber security, privacy, and anonymity concepts, laying the groundwork for further specialization in subsequent volumes.
What types of online threats does Volume 1 cover in detail?
- Volume 1 delves into a comprehensive exploration of the modern threat landscape. This includes understanding and mitigating risks from malware (like Trojans), exploit kits, phishing (including SMShing and vishing), identity theft, and other social engineering tactics. The course also examines the strategies and mindset of cybercriminals and explores the capabilities and infrastructure used by nation-state intelligence agencies for tracking and hacking.
What technical areas are covered in this volume to build foundational cyber security skills?
- The course covers several fundamental technical areas crucial for establishing a strong cyber security foundation. This includes in-depth examination of operating system security, privacy settings, and patching across major platforms like Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It also provides an easy-to-follow crash course on encryption, its potential bypasses, and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, a significant focus is placed on the principles and practical application of isolation and compartmentalization using tools like sandboxes, virtual machines, Whonix, and Qubes OS.
Who is this course primarily designed for?
- Volume 1 is designed for a broad audience, ranging from beginners and intermediate internet users interested in security, safety, and privacy, to individuals who want to become experts in these areas. It’s particularly beneficial for anyone seeking practical skills to protect their digital assets (files, emails, accounts) and personal information from malicious actors, corporations, and governments. While the principles are largely applicable to businesses, the course is structured with a focus on personal and home internet security, privacy, and anonymity.
What distinguishes this course’s approach to learning cyber security?
- This course emphasizes a practical, hands-on learning approach. Instead of just presenting theoretical concepts through slideshows, the instructor demonstrates techniques and allows students to follow along and apply what they’ve learned. The course aims to provide a deeper understanding of complex concepts by breaking them down into easily digestible pieces and using real-world examples. It’s highlighted as being more practical and advanced than some standard certifications like the CompTIA Security+.
What is the expected level of prior knowledge required for this course?
- While Volume 1 aims to take users from beginner to advanced, a basic understanding of using operating systems, networks, and the Internet is recommended. The ability to download and install software is also helpful. The most important requirement is a willingness to learn.
What benefits are offered upon completion of this volume?
- Upon completing Volume 1, participants gain a practical skillset to defend against various online threats and have a strong foundation to pursue a career in cyber security. The course offers a certificate of completion signed by the instructor, Nathan House, which can be used to claim CPE credits. Learners also gain full lifetime access to the course content and resources, including on-demand video, articles, and downloadable materials.
What makes the instructor, Nathan House, qualified to teach this course?
- Nathan House is a highly experienced and recognized cyber security expert with over 25 years in the field. He has advised major global companies on security and has a strong background in securing large-scale financial transactions. He is the CEO of a cyber security career development platform and consultancy and holds numerous prestigious industry certifications, including CISSP, CISA, CISM, CEH, and OSCP. His expertise is further validated by awards, speaking engagements, and positive feedback from former students who highlight his ability to explain complex topics clearly and practically.