For Beginners

Learn cybersecurity from scratch

Build real-world offensive and defensive cybersecurity skills from the ground up. Start with free, guided learning on HTB Academy, then put it into practice with beginner-friendly exercises on HTB Labs.

Start for freeSee the beginner roadmap

From “where do I start?”
to “I can do this.”

You don’t need to know it all to begin. Learn the basics, put them into practice, and build on what interests you.

01
HTB ACADEMY START HERE
 

Learn the fundamentals

Featured path
Information Security Foundations

Start with our free learning path: a sequence of guided modules covering networking, Linux, Windows, and web basics so you're ready to dive into the cyber world.

Explore the free path
02
HTB LABS PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
 

Try your first hands-on lab

Featured collection
Starting Point Machines

Done with the basics? Work through beginner-friendly virtual machines built for hacking practice. Follow walkthroughs that explain each step and the ideas behind it.

Explore Starting Point
03
HTB ACADEMY + LABS KEEP BUILDING
 

Find your next challenge

Focus areas
Ethical hacking or cyber defense

Keep learning on HTB Academy as your skills grow. On HTB Labs, explore more Machines for hacking practice or try Sherlocks to investigate the clues left by a cyber attack.

Discover more ways to practice

Learn the fundamentals with free courses

 

More to explore.
On your terms.

New to HTB Academy? Your free account also comes with 200 Cubes: learning credits you use to unlock eligible additional modules.

200
Cubes
Worth $40 in learning credits

This is learning credit, not a cash payment. The 50+ free modules don’t use any of your Cubes.

  1. 01

    Start with the free learning.

    Explore 50+ modules without spending a single Cube and build your foundations in cyber.

  2. 02

    Choose what comes next.

    Use your 200 Cubes toward additional learning from a catalogue of 290+ eligible modules.

  3. 03

    Upgrade to access more content

    After your 200 Cubes end you can find different subscriptions options to keep accessing more content.

Your first steps could lead to your first role.

 

The foundations are only the beginning. Explore roles you can work toward and the hands-on certifications offered by Hack The Box that help you prove your skills.

A few things to know before you start

How do Academy and Labs work together?

Academy teaches concepts through guided lessons and hands-on exercises. Once you’ve built the fundamentals, HTB Labs helps you put them into real-world  practice with the support of Guided Mode and Walkthroughs. Keep returning to Academy as you discover new topics to learn.

Do I need cybersecurity experience?

You don’t need a security background to begin with Intro to Academy or Introduction to Information Security. Follow the beginner roadmap, build your foundations, and check prerequisites as you explore more advanced content.

What can I learn for free?

50+ Academy modules are completely free to unlock, with no Cubes required. Create a free Academy account to access them. New signups also receive 200 Cubes to unlock eligible additional modules within that balance.

Do 200 Cubes unlock everything?

No. Cubes are learning credits, and each eligible additional module has a Cube cost. You can choose from eligible modules and unlock content within your available balance. The 200 Cubes are worth $40 in learning credits, not cash.

What if I already have an Academy account?

The 50+ free modules are available to existing learners too. Sign in to Academy to explore the free content and check your Cube balance. The 200-Cube signup offer on this page is only for accounts created after October 30th, 2026.

Your cybersecurity journey starts here.

Curious? Good place to be.

Start learning for free