If you're looking to dive into the world of hacking and cybersecurity, starting with the right resources and labs can make a huge difference. Here are some of the best beginner-friendly hacking labs online, recommended by Redditors:

TryHackMe

TryHackMe is highly recommended for beginners due to its structured learning paths and guided labs. It offers a variety of content, from basic cybersecurity concepts to more advanced topics.

• "TryHackMe is a must"

• "TryHackMe is the best onboarding to my opinion, delivering a certification afterward."

• "TryHackMe has guided labs that cover various topics including offense and defense, it is very good for beginners or anyone learning a new topic."

Hack The Box

Hack The Box is another excellent platform, known for its realistic and challenging labs. It offers both free and paid resources, making it accessible for beginners.

• "Hackthebox academy are the most fun and beginner friendly ways to start"

• "Hackthebox is good and maybe get some comptia Certs?"

• "Hackthebox has the typical lab of vulnerable machines (boxes) which can be guided depending on how old the box is."

OverTheWire

OverTheWire is a great resource for learning Linux and basic hacking skills through a series of wargames. It's completely free and offers a practical way to improve your command-line proficiency.

• "If you are just barely starting out, I would look at the wargames at https://overthewire.org."

• "Overthewire is a great place to get better at linux terminal and related programs."

PortSwigger Web Security Academy

For those interested in web application security, the PortSwigger Web Security Academy is an excellent free resource. It offers structured lessons and hands-on labs that cover a wide range of web vulnerabilities.

• "Go ahead and sign up on portswigger.net, Do all the Labs there"

• "PortSwigger labs are really good for web app security."

VulnHub

VulnHub is a community-driven platform where you can download vulnerable virtual machines to practice your hacking skills. It's a great way to get hands-on experience with different types of systems.

• "Vulnhub is a good place to download VMs to practice various different techniques against all kinds of vulnerable machines."

Pwn.college

Pwn.college offers a comprehensive curriculum and practical exercises, making it a solid choice for beginners.

• "There is pwn.college, good place to start"

• "pwn.college"

Additional Resources

• Hack Smarter Labs: Offers realistic hacking labs, some of which are available for free during specific weekends. "Free Access to Hack Smarter Labs (Realistic Hacking Labs)"

• TCM Security: Provides practical ethical hacking courses. "I would start with TCM security Practical ethical hacking course.."

• Cybersecurity Roadmap: A comprehensive guide to learning cybersecurity. "This resource is my absolute favorite, and I wouldn’t be as far, if at all in my self-studies today without it."

Subreddits to Explore

• r/Hacking_Tutorials

• r/Pentesting

• r/HowToHack

• r/cybersecurity

These resources should provide a solid foundation for anyone looking to start learning ethical hacking. Good luck on your journey!