If you're looking to dive into reverse engineering, starting with the right tools can make a significant difference. Here are some of the best tools recommended by experienced reverse engineers on Reddit:
Ghidra: A free and open-source tool developed by the NSA. It's highly versatile and supports multiple architectures. "Ghidra is pretty boss I use it practically daily"
IDA Pro: A powerful but paid tool. If you can't afford it, consider the free version for x64. "IDA free for x64"
Binary Ninja: A commercial tool with a user-friendly interface and strong scripting capabilities. "Binary Ninja also is a good alternative, I actually prefer this one since it feels easier read than Ghidra"
OllyDbg: A free debugger for Windows, great for dynamic analysis. "Olly is free and powerful"
x64dbg: Another free and open-source debugger for Windows, often recommended for its ease of use. "DBGX64 is enough"
HxD: A free hex editor for Windows, useful for viewing and modifying binary files. "HxD and hexedit are pretty good"
hexecute: Recommended for Japanese games due to its support for Shift-JIS character encoding. "I recommend CrystalTile2 or hexecute for Japanese games"
CyberChef: A web-based tool for analyzing and manipulating data. "Keep CyberChef bookmarked and/or open in a tab"
Cheat Engine: A memory scanner and editor, useful for game hacking and understanding memory layouts. "A memory reader, I like to use cheat engine"
radare2: A command-line tool that can be used for disassembling, debugging, and more. "You can also try a tool called radare2 which is basically just a disassembler"
beginners.re: A great resource for learning the basics of reverse engineering. "beginners.re"
Practical Malware Analysis: A highly recommended book for beginners. "Practical Malware Analysis"
OpenSecurityTraining.info: Offers various courses, including introductory Intel x86. "opensecuritytraining.info has some great classes"
Crackmes.de: A website with various "crackme" challenges to practice your skills. "For Crackmes go to Crackmes.de"
These tools and resources should help you get started and build a solid foundation in reverse engineering. Good luck on your journey!