This repo is a list of interesting projects for people looking to get into IT. Mostly just recommendations and links to walkthroughs.
- Most of these projects require you to run a virtual machine, which works best on a semi-powerful computer.
- Download the latest version of VirtualBox, this will allow you to install virtual machines on your computer: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.
- If you have an old computer, that can substitute instead of building a virtual machine for some projects.
- Other projects may require you to purchase hardware or software, please do the appropriate research and do so at your discretion. It is recommended to pursue projects that aid your career goals/interests, this list is a buffet for you to pick and choose.
- Cybersecurity
- Kali Linux - Kali Linux is a Linux distribution that is the backbone of the security industry. Getting familiar with this Operating System and command-line in general is a critical first-step.
- TryHackMe or HackTheBox - Educational penetration testing platform. TryHackMe is easier, but HackTheBox Academy is a great platform as well.
- Network Software/Self-Hosting
- AdGuard Home - AdGuard Home is a network-wide software for blocking ads & tracking. After you set it up, it’ll cover ALL your home devices, and you don’t need any client-side software for that.
- HomeAssistant - Home Assistant is open source home automation. It allows for a host of add-ons that can run your network.
- If you have interest in cybersecurity, penetration testing, or any security project, high recommend downloading Kali linux (or other recommend Linux distros below) and getting familiar with the OS. If you are going to be installing the OS
- Install options:
- VirtualBox
- WSL
- An option if you have a Windows, however this will restrict you to only using command-line, which some tools will not work with.
- https://www.kali.org/docs/wsl/wsl-preparations/
- OS
- An option if you have a spare PC or Laptop around. You will run into the most struggles in this area, but will learn the most.
- After installing, you could do the following:
- Network scanning: (TODO)
- TODO
- Here is the GitHub you will be working out of for this project: https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome#getting-started
- With this project, you can control network traffic comes in and out of your network. For example, if you have a Roku, Amazon TV, or some other smart media player, you can use a DNS blacklist that strictly removes advertizement and tracking data from that. Be aware of what you are blocking, because it is possible to over-block and restrict access to good websites.
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Some popular DNS blacklists to consider. Make sure to research what each list covers, as they may overlap significantly. (Make sure to find and use the raw output)
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You should always include a Whitelist to make sure you cover the basics. (One of the main issues I had was advertisement links in Google not working, this fixes that)
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hagezi/dns-blocklists/main/whitelist.txt
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anudeepND/whitelist/master/domains/whitelist.txt
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anudeepND/whitelist/master/domains/optional-list.txt
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hagezi/dns-blocklists/main/whitelist-referral.txt
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SystemJargon/allowlists/main/lists/ios-basic-allowlist.txt
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hl2guide/AdGuard-Home-Whitelist/main/whitelist.txt
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- Follow the guide for the appropriate Operating System you would like to install (Note: if you are installing in VirtualBox, Windows or Linux is recommended. Go for Linux if you want to practice your command-line skills): https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/
- With HomeAssistant, you can install an AdGuard Home as an add-on. There are a ton of other integrations and add-ons to look at and consider.
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These websites mostly paid, however you can get a taste for free. They are fantastic resources for walking through beginner cybersecurity topics and getting your feet wet.
Network Monitoring: Set up a network monitoring system using tools like Nagios, Zabbix, or PRTG. Monitor network devices, services, and performance to identify and resolve issues proactively.
Firewall Configuration: Build and configure a firewall using open-source software like pfSense or OPNsense. Learn about network security, create firewall rules, and control traffic flow.
VLAN Setup: Create virtual LANs (VLANs) on your network switch to segment and isolate network traffic. Learn about VLAN tagging, trunking, and inter-VLAN routing.
Network File Sharing: Set up a network-attached storage (NAS) device using software like FreeNAS or OpenMediaVault. Enable file sharing protocols such as SMB, NFS, or FTP to share files across the network.
VPN Server Configuration: Install and configure a VPN server using software like OpenVPN or WireGuard. Learn about VPN protocols, encryption, and secure remote access.
Bandwidth Monitoring and Traffic Shaping: Use tools like NetFlow Analyzer, ntop, or tc (Traffic Control) to monitor network bandwidth usage and implement traffic shaping techniques to prioritize certain types of traffic.
Network Security Assessment: Conduct a network security assessment using tools like Nmap, Wireshark, or OpenVAS. Scan and analyze network vulnerabilities, assess security configurations, and recommend improvements.
Network Load Balancing: Set up a load balancer using software like HAProxy or nginx. Distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers to improve performance, reliability, and scalability.
Network Virtualization: Explore network virtualization technologies like VMware NSX, Cisco ACI, or Open vSwitch. Create virtual networks, implement network overlays, and learn about software-defined networking (SDN).
Network Access Control: Deploy a network access control (NAC) solution like PacketFence or FreeRADIUS. Learn about network authentication, authorization, and enforcement mechanisms.