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Looking for advice on where to start.

In my 30's and been Mac person since like 2010.

I looked up some courses to learn Linux and downloaded Ubuntu to my Virtual Box VM.

Looking at free beginner and intro level cybersecurity programs to familiarize myself with the foundational stuff.

Downloaded Tor and have Express VPN on my phone (yes, an iPhone) and have yet to really explore Tor until I am better acclimated with the risks.

My questions are mostly around how to best and most efficiently get up to speed on what I would need to best secure my own systems as well as learn blackhat and whitehat "hacking" techniques -- both for my own defense and also for a possible career change.

Any advice from people with experience would be greatly appreciated:

Course recommended and to avoid Tools recommend and to avoid Any other tips and tricks I should know starting out.

Looking for advice on where to start. In my 30's and been Mac person since like 2010. I looked up some courses to learn Linux and downloaded Ubuntu to my Virtual Box VM. Looking at free beginner and intro level cybersecurity programs to familiarize myself with the foundational stuff. Downloaded Tor and have Express VPN on my phone (yes, an iPhone) and have yet to really explore Tor until I am better acclimated with the risks. My questions are mostly around how to best and most efficiently get up to speed on what I would need to best secure my own systems as well as learn blackhat and whitehat "hacking" techniques -- both for my own defense and also for a possible career change. Any advice from people with experience would be greatly appreciated: Course recommended and to avoid Tools recommend and to avoid Any other tips and tricks I should know starting out.

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[–] • 2 pts (edited )

If you have Express VPN on your phone you should be able to use it on your computer as well.

lol You might wanna update your script, ExpressVPN is now owned by Kape (who also owns PIA), an Israeli firm known as Crossrider and for its shady past (used to silently install malware/spyware/adware in user's devices):

Kape Technologies, a relatively unknown name, has announced plans to acquire Private Internet Access, one of the most well-known names in the VPN industry. Kape Technologies was formerly called Crossrider, and the name “Crossrider” is often associated with malware and adware, as we’ll examine more below.

https://restoreprivacy.com/private-internet-access-kape-crossrider/

[–] • 3 pts

PIA

They had some shady dealings with Voat if I remember right.

[–] • 2 pts

Well voat was sold to PIA (the secret angel).

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

I hope Putt got a good deal.