YouTube is one of those unique spaces on the Internet, where communities can come together and share information about virtually anything. Social Blade, a statistics website, tracks over 23 million Youtube channels globally, while Statista reports that 500 hours of footage is uploaded every minute. With so much information available, there is content that would appeal to anyone.
If you’re interested in learning more about cyber security but don’t necessarily have the resources to afford the classes, YouTube is one of the best places where you can learn for free through a plethora of cyber security video tutorials. This article will provide you with a list of the best cyber security YouTube channels, currently.
What Is Cyber Security?
Cyber security is the practice of protecting network systems and programs from malicious cyber attacks. These attacks aim to obtain and tamper with confidential or sensitive data for various purposes. Cyber security companies are vital in providing safe network spaces for their employees and their customers.
How to Learn Cyber Security for Free
There are many free learning options available online regarding cyber security. One of the best and most easily accessible places to learn about various cyber security tools is YouTube. You can use this site either with or without an account, although having an account allows you to save videos and add them to playlists, making it quicker to access them when you need to.
Cyber security is just one of the many niches available to learn on YouTube. There are instructional and informative videos to equip you with the essential industry knowledge and tutorials on essentially any topic. Below are the top 10 best cyber security YouTube channels you should check out if you’re interested in learning cyber security.
The 10 Best Cyber Security YouTube Channels to Follow
- 13Cubed
- Computerphile
- HackerSploit
- Infosec
- InsiderPhD
- John Hammond
- LiveOverflow
- Security Now
- The Cyber Mentor
- The PC Security Channel
13Cubed
The YouTube channel 13Cubed is run by Richard David, who uploads videos every month. This channel has just over 30,000 subscribers. Richard covers different security topics, including digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) and pen testing, while offering tutorial videos on unique tools like iLEAPP, Windows Forensics, and YARA.
Computerphile
Computerphile is a YouTube channel dedicated to providing information regarding computers that began in 2009 and has amassed over 100 million views. Brady Haran, the channel’s host, talks about various topics such as data analysis, markup languages like SGML, HTML, and XML, and artificial intelligence. The channel’s videos are neatly categorized into playlists, simplifying the search process.
HackerSploit
HackerSploit has over 600,000 subscribers and over 25 million views. Its goal is to provide free training in the information security and cyber security sectors, ensuring essential knowledge is accessible to both cyber security students and professionals in the field. The channel covers topics like penetration testing and Linux, and it teaches viewers about attack and defense systems through either virtual labs or real-life hacking scenarios.
Infosec
With nearly 47,000 subscribers, Infosec is a YouTube channel dedicated to helping IT and security professionals stay ahead in the industry. The people that create the videos want to ensure everyone, whether a corporation or an individual, has the knowledge to fight against cyber attacks and keep vital information safe. Their videos are mainly informative presentations, discussing required skills, training, and tips for avoiding cyber threats like phishing attacks.
InsiderPhD
InsiderPhD is a channel with 41,000 subscribers, run by a bug bounty hunter. The videos in the channel discuss all things related to locating bugs. In other words, bug bounty hunters are penetration testers who utilize ethical hacking methods to find flaws within network security systems and report them. There are video tutorials on how to get started in this field, informational videos on what tools you need, and many other great subjects to explore.
John Hammond
John Hammond teaches viewers about programming languages and malware analysis and offers educational resources like HackTheBox and TryHackMe to help beginners get a foothold in the cyber security industry. Hammond has obtained over 335,000 subscribers since his channel’s inception in 2011 and has over 18 million views in total. Hammond’s content is diverse, offering his audience awesome cyber security content.
LiveOverflow
Fabian Faessler is the creator of the LiveOverflow YouTube channel. He currently has 687,000 subscribers and calls himself a “wannabe hacker.” His channel discusses web hacking, CTF video write-ups, binary exploitation, hardware security research, mobile security, and general information about cyber security in great detail. A unique aspect of his channel is that he also performs video game hacking.
Security Now
Another channel spreading awareness on cyber security is Security Now. The YouTube channel is run by two professionals in the business, Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson, who have almost 50,000 subscribers. This podcast-style show talks about a wide range of topics, including hacking news, security threats, hack events, application security, and other cyber security news.
The Cyber Mentor
The owner of The Cyber Mentor YouTube channel is a hacker by trade. He posts videos for beginners who want to learn programs like Linux, information about web application pen testing, and he even has an entire 11-video course for practical network testing. His channel has accumulated almost 250,000 subscribers since first starting in 2018 and has over six million views.
The PC Security Channel
Everyone should know how to keep themselves safe online, which is why The PC Security Channel (TPSC) was created. The creators of this channel post videos regarding product reviews of antivirus products and teach how-to’s, threat demonstrations, and informative commentaries to raise awareness about cyber security.
Cyber Security Tutorials: Best Videos About Cyber Security
As mentioned previously, YouTube is a significant provider of information, with channel creators having a wide range of experience and offering what they know about their industry. This doesn’t exclude hot topics like cyber security. There are many great tutorials online, and this section below will give you the top five best cyber security tutorials to help you deal with cyber threats.
Introduction to Linux
This list starts out strong with not just one video but five tutorials from John Hammond. In this introduction to the Linux tutorial playlist, he discusses how you can use a Raspberry Pi computer to learn Linux, break down shell source code functions, and use BASH.
How To Do Recon: API Enumeration
Recon, in this case, means reconnaissance and is the practice of discreetly collecting a system’s information. InsiderPhD’s tutorial explains how to perform API enumeration and recon, as well as how to use various tools to uncover new API endpoints and ways to take advantage of Arjun to find hidden parameters.
Cyber Security Full Course for Beginners
This video by the channel My CS is a five-hour-long crash course on cyber security. It defines and explains all the cyber security terminology that will benefit those in IT security. The course also goes into great detail regarding passwords, threats to your online security, and the different types of malware. It is an informative guide for beginners and a great tool to help you get started.
Wireshark Tutorial for Beginners
Wireshark is a common cyber security tool that analyzes network protocols, captures data packets, and inspects their data. Anson Alexander teaches viewers how to efficiently use Wireshark to track network activity, view specific data packets, and find suspicious activity in a network.
Nmap Tutorial to Find Network Vulnerabilities
NetworkChuck provides a tutorial of the tool Nmap. This tool is designed to scan networks and find security weaknesses. Some of the topics demonstrated are Nmap port scanning, how to transport control protocol (TCP) works, and ways to use Nmap scripts. The tutorials are thorough and explain everything in great detail, making it a fantastic resource for learning Nmap.
Other Ways to Learn Cyber Security Online
YouTube isn’t the only way to learn cyber security online. In fact, there are many options, both free and paid, that will give you the tools, training, and knowledge you need to succeed as a cyber security professional and effectively counteract cyber attack breaches.
- Black Hat security conferences. Black Hat is a webinar and conference-based information hub that talks about all things cyber security, from training and consultations to briefings for corporations and government agencies.
- Cyber security bootcamps. There are many great cyber security bootcamps available online. Some of the best options for learning cyber security are Flatiron School, various programs offered by Springboard, and a wide variety of courses available through The Tech Academy.
- Cybrary. Cybrary provides free courses on a wide range of cyber security topics. It is an online library that offers several programs free of charge, and all you have to do is create an account. The courses offered are for people that have various backgrounds and experience levels.
- Heimdal. The website Heimdal is another free cyber security course provider for beginners. Its programs teach the cyber security basics, the different tools you need when trying to prevent cyber attacks, and even how to explore the Internet safely.
- Coursera. Coursera is a great option for those willing to pay for their courses. You can learn from some of the top universities and industry experts that Coursera collaborates with and come out with a certification of your achievements.
Should You Learn Cyber Security on YouTube?
Yes, you should learn cyber security on YouTube because it can prove very beneficial. You can learn useful, practical information from professionals from the comfort of your own home, for free, and at your own discretion. Many cyber security experts are self-taught, and YouTube is one of the ways you can get ahead in mastering essential cyber security skills.
Cyber Security YouTube Channels FAQ
Yes, you can get into cyber security without a degree, as long as you have relevant training and proper certifications. Bootcamps are an excellent alternative to enter the field.
Several skills are needed for cyber security, such as having experience with hacking, paying attention to detail, problem-solving skills, understanding security protocols and detection methods, and having a wide range of technical capabilities.
Yes, cyber security is in demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average rate of all professions.
The best job roles in cyber security are security architect, penetration tester, forensic analyst, cyber security engineer, and malware analyst.
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