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Reconnaissance & enumeration
Gather information about the target: technologies, endpoints, users and attack surface. The foundation of any serious audit.
100% online
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OWASP / PTES methodology
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Junior to auditor
Pentesting Academy.
From junior to auditor with professional methodology.
Learn pentesting with real labs, structured methodology and a guided path from scratch. Pentest phases, real tools, OWASP Top 10 and professional reporting. Verifiable certification on completion.
What is pentesting and how do you learn it?
Reproducible security auditing with professional judgment
Pentesting is a controlled simulation of real attacks on systems with explicit authorization. It is not about running automated tools: it requires judgment at every step — what to test, what to skip, how to chain small findings into a significant compromise, and how to communicate impact clearly to the client.
In this pentesting academy we build training around recognized methodologies (OWASP WSTG, PTES, NIST 800-115) and labs reproducing real audit scenarios. You don't memorize steps — you understand why each phase matters and how it all connects in a final report that actually delivers value.
That's why a senior pentester earns what they earn: not for exploiting faster, but for having the judgment to prioritize well and write reports that close projects and build trust. That professional vision is what we teach.
Methodology
Pentesting phases you will learn
The complete audit cycle, from scoping to the final report.
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Vulnerability analysis
Identify flaws with judgment: OWASP Top 10, business logic and finding chains. Know what to look for and why.
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Controlled exploitation
Demonstrate the real impact of each vulnerability with reproducible evidence and without harming the audited system.
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Vulnerability chaining
Combine small findings to demonstrate a large compromise. The skill that most separates experience levels.
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Professional reporting
Write clear reports with severity, real impact and mitigation recommendations. What the client pays for and what sets you apart.
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Real tools
Burp Suite, FFUF, SQLMap, Nikto and more. Not memorizing commands — understanding what each tool does and when to apply it.
Learning path
Pentesting courses at SixHack Academy
Three progressive courses from zero to professional auditor.
Active
WXJ
Web eXploitation Junior
The entry point to web pentesting. Zero experience assumed. Networking, HTTP/HTTPS, Burp Suite, pentest phases, OWASP Top 10 and professional reporting. Graduate as a junior pentester.
Active
WXE
Web eXploitation Expert
Advanced web pentesting: complex vulnerability chains, bypasses and professional audit scenarios. For those who master the basics and want to reach semi-senior level.
Active
MXS
Mobile eXploitation Specialist
Mobile app auditing. Static and dynamic analysis, common flaws and exploitation on Android and iOS. Specialize in mobile pentesting.
Try the method free with CTF Labs
Before enrolling, you can train for free with our CTF Labs: real web hacking challenges at different difficulty levels with a global leaderboard. The most direct way to see how we teach before investing in training.
SQL Injection, XSS, IDOR, SSRF and more OWASP techniques in a controlled, legal environment.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about pentesting
The most common questions before starting pentesting training.
What is pentesting?
Pentesting is a controlled simulation of real attacks on systems with explicit authorization.
The goal is to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. It follows methodologies
like OWASP WSTG, PTES or NIST 800-115 and documents each finding with reproducible evidence.
How long does it take to learn pentesting from scratch?
With consistent dedication, reaching junior-level web pentesting takes 3 to 6 months.
The WXJ course builds that foundation progressively with real labs at every step.
What is the difference between pentesting and ethical hacking?
Ethical hacking is the broad framework: any offensive technique performed with authorization.
Pentesting is a specific methodology with defined phases — reconnaissance, enumeration,
exploitation, post-exploitation and reporting — with agreed scope and goals.
What tools are used in pentesting?
The tools used in real audits: Burp Suite, FFUF, SQLMap, Nikto, curl and enumeration tools.
The focus is methodological — understanding what each tool does and when to apply it,
not memorizing commands.
Start your pentesting training
Professional methodology, real labs and a guided path from junior to auditor.
Where to go next
Inside the academy, the pentesting course is the core of the hands-on training. Still deciding? Take a look at the rest of our cybersecurity courses for the full catalogue, or jump straight into web hacking if your goal is auditing applications.