This plan integrates clear goals, daily tasks, and proven learning methods like the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused study with 5-minute breaks) and the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve (spaced repetition for reviews). It ensures deep understanding, hands-on practice, and efficient preparation for the PT0-002 exam.

Study Plan Framework

Goals:

1. Master all knowledge areas of PT0-002.
2. Build practical skills using tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and Burp Suite.
3. Use effective learning methods to retain and apply concepts.
4. Pass the PT0-002 exam confidently.

Week 1: Planning and Scoping

Objective: Understand the foundations of penetration testing planning, scope definition, and compliance requirements.

Day 1: Testing Types

• Goal: Understand black-box, white-box, and gray-box testing types.
• Tasks:
  • Read about the characteristics of each testing type.
  • Write a comparison table for:
    • Black-box: Simulating external attacks with no prior knowledge.
    • White-box: Full system access, internal security evaluation.
    • Gray-box: Partial knowledge and internal/external hybrid testing.
  • Write down real-world examples for each type (e.g., testing a company’s public website for black-box testing).
• Review: Use flashcards to memorize definitions, advantages, and disadvantages.

Day 2: Risk Assessment

• Goal: Learn to identify and assess risks in penetration testing.
• Tasks:
  • Study common risks, such as:
    • Production Risks: Service disruptions, unintentional downtime.
    • Data Risks: Possible data loss or exposure.
  • Create a hypothetical risk table, listing:
    • Risk type (e.g., disruption of a web application).
    • Probability (low/medium/high).
    • Mitigation (e.g., backup before testing, use non-production environments).
  • Research examples of real-world incidents caused by unplanned risks during penetration tests.
• Review: Summarize risk categories and mitigation strategies in a one-page note.

Day 3: Scope Definition

• Goal: Understand the importance of defining boundaries in penetration testing.
• Tasks:
  • Study the key elements of scope:
    • Asset Identification: List networks, servers, applications to be tested.
    • Boundaries: Clearly define in-scope vs. out-of-scope areas.
  • Draft a mock scope document for testing a hypothetical company:
    • Assets: Web servers, firewalls.
    • Exclusions: Production database.
    • Testing methods: Black-box or gray-box.
• Review: Use examples to evaluate the completeness and clarity of your scope.

Day 4: Compliance Requirements

• Goal: Understand regulatory requirements and their impact on penetration testing.
• Tasks:
  • Research and summarize:
    • GDPR: Protecting personal data and ensuring data privacy.
    • PCI DSS: Requirements for companies handling payment data.
  • Write a table summarizing key points for each standard:
    • GDPR: Consent, data protection, and reporting breaches.
    • PCI DSS: Encryption, regular security testing, and vulnerability management.
  • Find one real-world example where a lack of compliance resulted in financial or reputational loss.
• Review: Use spaced repetition to recall compliance details.

Day 5: Test Plan Creation

• Goal: Learn to draft a penetration testing plan.
• Tasks:
  • Study the structure of a typical penetration test plan:
    • Objectives, scope, timeline, risk mitigation, deliverables.
  • Write a sample plan for an e-commerce platform:
    • Objective: Identify weaknesses in customer-facing systems.
    • Scope: Web application, payment gateway, and customer database.
    • Tools: Nmap, Nessus, Burp Suite.
    • Timeline: 2 weeks.
  • Include compliance standards and mitigation strategies.

Day 6: Review and Practice

• Goal: Reinforce learning from Days 1–5.
• Tasks:
  • Revisit tasks from earlier in the week (comparison charts, risk tables, and test plans).
  • Write a summary sheet outlining:
    • Key takeaways for testing types, risks, scope, and compliance.
    • Common mistakes to avoid in planning.
• Review: Use flashcards for all key terms and processes.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Evaluate understanding of planning and scoping concepts.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 10-question quiz on topics covered (e.g., testing types, risk assessment).
  • Analyze incorrect answers and note areas for improvement.
  • Write a reflection on what you learned and how it applies to real-world scenarios.

Week 2: Information Gathering (Passive)

Objective: Master passive reconnaissance techniques using tools like WHOIS, Google Dorking, and Shodan.

Day 1: WHOIS Queries

• Goal: Learn how to extract domain and DNS registration details.
• Tasks:
  • Study the purpose of WHOIS and its applications in reconnaissance.
  • Perform WHOIS lookups for:
    • A public domain (e.g., google.com).
    • A smaller or lesser-known domain.
  • Document findings (e.g., registrant, contact details, DNS servers).
  • Write down how this information could aid an attacker.
• Review: Use flashcards to recall key WHOIS terms (registrar, DNS servers).

Day 2: Google Dorking

• Goal: Use advanced search techniques to find publicly exposed information.
• Tasks:
  • Study Google search operators (e.g., filetype:, intitle:, site:).
  • Perform Google Dorking to:
    • Find publicly available login pages.
    • Search for sensitive file types like site:example.com filetype:pdf.
  • Document any interesting findings and assess their potential risk.
• Review: Write a checklist for using Google Dorking safely and ethically.

Day 3: Shodan

• Goal: Discover internet-connected devices and assess their vulnerabilities.
• Tasks:
  • Study how Shodan works to scan the internet for exposed devices.
  • Use Shodan to search for:
    • Open webcams.
    • IoT devices with default credentials.
  • Document device details and potential risks (e.g., default passwords).
• Review: Write a short analysis of how IoT vulnerabilities are exploited.

Day 4-5: Recon-ng

• Goal: Automate OSINT gathering using Recon-ng.
• Tasks:
  • Learn Recon-ng modules for:
    • DNS enumeration.
    • Email harvesting.
  • Configure Recon-ng for a test domain.
  • Export findings into a structured report.
• Review: Summarize Recon-ng’s capabilities in a one-page note.

Day 6: Practice

• Goal: Combine all passive gathering techniques in a real-world simulation.
• Tasks:
  • Use WHOIS, Google Dorking, Shodan, and Recon-ng on a single target (e.g., your lab setup).
  • Write a full report summarizing findings and identifying potential vulnerabilities.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Test knowledge of passive reconnaissance techniques.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 15-question quiz on OSINT tools and passive techniques.
  • Write down explanations for incorrect answers.
  • Reflect on the usefulness of passive gathering in penetration testing.

Week 3: Information Gathering (Active)

Objective: Master active reconnaissance techniques, vulnerability scanning, and enumeration.

Day 1: Nmap Basics

• Goal: Learn to use Nmap for port scanning and service discovery.
• Tasks:
  • Study Nmap’s key features, such as:
    • SYN scans (nmap -sS).
    • Service version detection (nmap -sV).
  • Practice scanning your local network:
    • Identify all active devices and open ports using nmap -sn.
    • Perform a service version scan on a specific target (nmap -sV -p 22,80 target_ip).
  • Write a short report summarizing findings.
• Review:
  • Create flashcards for common Nmap options and their functions.

Day 2: Advanced Nmap Features

• Goal: Explore Nmap’s advanced capabilities.
• Tasks:
  • Learn to use:
    • OS detection (nmap -O).
    • Script-based scanning (nmap --script=http-enum).
  • Run a comprehensive scan of a test server, including:
    • OS detection and service enumeration.
    • NSE (Nmap Scripting Engine) scripts for detecting vulnerabilities.
  • Document the most valuable data from the scan.
• Review:
  • Create a checklist of steps to perform a full Nmap reconnaissance.

Day 3: Netcat

• Goal: Use Netcat for port probing and banner grabbing.
• Tasks:
  • Study the basics of Netcat:
    • Port scanning (nc -zv target_ip 80-443).
    • Establishing a connection (nc target_ip port).
  • Practice banner grabbing:
    • Connect to a web server and observe the banner output (e.g., HTTP headers).
    • Write down the version information retrieved.
• Review:
  • Compare Nmap and Netcat to understand their complementary roles.

Day 4-5: Vulnerability Scanning

• Goal: Use tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, and Qualys to scan for vulnerabilities.
• Tasks:
  • Install Nessus and configure it to scan a test environment.
  • Perform a vulnerability scan and document:
    • Critical, high, medium, and low-risk vulnerabilities.
    • Suggested remediation steps from Nessus reports.
  • Research one critical vulnerability from the scan in the CVE database.
• Review:
  • Summarize the importance of vulnerability scanning in penetration testing.

Day 6: Enumeration

• Goal: Master enumeration techniques to gather detailed information.
• Tasks:
  • Learn about SMB, LDAP, and SNMP enumeration.
  • Practice using Enum4linux to enumerate shared resources and user accounts.
  • Use tools like Medusa for brute-forcing login credentials on test services.
  • Write a short report summarizing findings.
• Review:
  • Flashcards for SMB, LDAP, and SNMP enumeration commands.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Evaluate understanding of active reconnaissance and scanning.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 15-question quiz covering Nmap, Netcat, and vulnerability scanning.
  • Analyze incorrect answers and revisit weak areas.
  • Write a reflection on the differences between passive and active information gathering.

Week 4: Network Attacks and Exploits

Objective: Understand and simulate network-based attacks, such as ARP spoofing, DNS poisoning, and MITM.

Day 1: ARP Spoofing

• Goal: Learn to perform ARP spoofing to intercept network traffic.
• Tasks:
  • Study how ARP spoofing manipulates ARP tables to redirect traffic.
  • Use Ettercap or Arpspoof to:
    • Perform an ARP spoofing attack on a test network.
    • Capture traffic between two devices using Wireshark.
  • Document intercepted data and explain its potential risks.
• Review:
  • Flashcards for ARP spoofing commands and tools.

Day 2: DNS Poisoning

• Goal: Learn to manipulate DNS records to redirect traffic.
• Tasks:
  • Study the basics of DNS and how DNS poisoning works.
  • Set up a lab with a fake DNS server and perform:
    • Redirecting requests from a legitimate domain to a malicious site.
    • Capturing DNS queries using Wireshark.
  • Document how this attack could be mitigated (e.g., DNSSEC).
• Review:
  • Write a brief note on the real-world impact of DNS poisoning.

Day 3: MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) Attacks

• Goal: Understand how to intercept and modify communication between devices.
• Tasks:
  • Study MITM techniques, including:
    • HTTPS interception.
    • Session hijacking.
  • Use tools like Bettercap to:
    • Intercept HTTP traffic on a local network.
    • Extract login credentials from captured packets.
  • Document the risks of unencrypted communication.
• Review:
  • Write a checklist for detecting and preventing MITM attacks.

Day 4: Replay Attacks

• Goal: Capture and replay network traffic to simulate an attack.
• Tasks:
  • Study the basics of replay attacks and their impact.
  • Use Wireshark to capture packets from a test application.
  • Replay captured packets using Scapy or a similar tool.
  • Document the results and explain how timestamps or nonces can mitigate replay attacks.
• Review:
  • Flashcards for replay attack tools and techniques.

Day 5-6: Comprehensive Lab Practice

• Goal: Combine multiple network attacks in a single lab environment.
• Tasks:
  • Set up a lab with:
    • ARP spoofing for traffic interception.
    • DNS poisoning to redirect users to malicious sites.
    • MITM to capture sensitive data.
  • Write a detailed report summarizing all attack vectors and their outcomes.
  • Research defensive measures for each attack and include them in the report.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Test knowledge of network attacks and exploitation techniques.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 20-question quiz covering ARP spoofing, DNS poisoning, MITM, and replay attacks.
  • Analyze incorrect answers and revisit weak areas.
  • Write a reflection on how network attacks simulate real-world threats.

Week 5: Application Attacks and Exploits

Objective: Learn to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs.

Day 1: SQL Injection

• Goal: Understand SQL injection techniques and test for them in applications.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • How SQL injection exploits improper input validation.
    • Types of SQL injection (error-based, blind, time-based).
  • Practice:
    • Set up a vulnerable web app (e.g., DVWA or bWAPP).
    • Inject ' OR '1'='1 into a login form to bypass authentication.
    • Use SQLMap to automate injection and extract database data.
  • Document findings:
    • Write a report summarizing the impact of SQL injection on sensitive data.
  • Review:
    • Create flashcards for common SQL injection payloads.

Day 2: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

• Goal: Learn to identify and exploit XSS vulnerabilities.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Types of XSS (stored, reflected, DOM-based).
    • How attackers inject malicious scripts into web applications.
  • Practice:
    • Inject <script>alert('XSS')</script> into an input field in DVWA.
    • Use Burp Suite to identify XSS in HTTP requests.
  • Document findings:
    • Write about potential impacts, such as session hijacking and phishing.
  • Review:
    • Create a checklist of defenses against XSS (e.g., input sanitization).

Day 3: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

• Goal: Understand how CSRF attacks exploit user trust in authenticated sessions.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • How CSRF tricks users into performing unintended actions.
    • Common CSRF attack scenarios (e.g., forced fund transfers).
  • Practice:
    • Set up a CSRF attack in DVWA:
      • Create a malicious HTML form to force an authenticated user to perform an action.
    • Test CSRF defenses, like CSRF tokens, in a secure application.
  • Document findings:
    • Write how CSRF attacks can impact web applications and users.
  • Review:
    • Flashcards summarizing CSRF concepts and prevention techniques.

Day 4-5: API Vulnerabilities

• Goal: Explore how to identify and exploit insecure APIs.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Common API vulnerabilities: unvalidated input, improper authentication, and excessive data exposure.
  • Practice:
    • Use Postman or Burp Suite to:
      • Test an API endpoint for SQL injection or XSS vulnerabilities.
      • Attempt unauthorized API access by modifying request parameters.
  • Document findings:
    • Summarize how weak APIs can lead to data breaches.
    • Include prevention measures, such as strong input validation and authentication.
  • Review:
    • Create a summary note on API vulnerabilities and secure coding practices.

Day 6: Practice Lab

• Goal: Apply all techniques from the week in a lab environment.
• Tasks:
  • Use tools like OWASP Juice Shop or Hack The Box to:
    • Identify vulnerabilities in a web app.
    • Exploit SQL injection, XSS, and API misconfigurations.
  • Write a detailed report with:
    • Vulnerabilities found.
    • Exploitation steps.
    • Mitigation recommendations.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Test understanding of application attacks and defenses.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 20-question quiz on SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and API vulnerabilities.
  • Analyze incorrect answers and revisit weak areas.
  • Write a reflection on how to approach real-world application testing.

Week 6: Reporting and Tools

Objective: Learn how to document findings effectively and master key penetration testing tools.

Day 1: Technical Reporting

• Goal: Write detailed, technical reports for vulnerabilities.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Components of a good technical report (vulnerability description, risk rating, remediation steps).
  • Practice:
    • Write a report for a vulnerability found in Week 5.
    • Include:
      • A clear description of the vulnerability.
      • CVSS risk rating.
      • Steps to reproduce.
      • Mitigation recommendations.
  • Review:
    • Use flashcards to memorize the structure of technical reports.

Day 2: Management Reporting

• Goal: Create high-level reports for non-technical stakeholders.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • How to communicate technical findings in simple terms.
    • The importance of visualizations (graphs, charts).
  • Practice:
    • Create a management report for the same vulnerability:
      • Use non-technical language to describe the issue and its business impact.
      • Include a pie chart showing vulnerabilities by severity.
  • Review:
    • Compare technical and management reports for clarity and completeness.

Day 3: Real-Time Communication

• Goal: Learn how to report critical findings promptly during a penetration test.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Examples of critical issues that require immediate reporting (e.g., active exploitation, exposed sensitive data).
  • Practice:
    • Draft a mock email or message to inform stakeholders about a critical vulnerability found in real-time.
  • Review:
    • Reflect on the importance of timely communication in maintaining trust and mitigating risks.

Day 4: Metasploit Basics

• Goal: Learn to use Metasploit for automated exploitation.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Key features of Metasploit: exploit modules, payloads, and post-exploitation tools.
  • Practice:
    • Launch Metasploit and:
      • Search for vulnerabilities using search commands.
      • Exploit a test server (e.g., SMB vulnerability) using Metasploit.
  • Document findings:
    • Write a short guide on using Metasploit for vulnerability exploitation.
  • Review:
    • Flashcards for common Metasploit commands.

Day 5: Burp Suite Basics

• Goal: Learn to intercept and manipulate HTTP requests.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • The features of Burp Suite: Proxy, Intruder, and Repeater.
  • Practice:
    • Intercept HTTP requests from a test web application.
    • Use the Intruder module to brute force login credentials.
  • Document findings:
    • Summarize how HTTP manipulation can reveal vulnerabilities.
  • Review:
    • Create flashcards for Burp Suite tools and workflows.

Day 6: Tool Integration

• Goal: Combine multiple tools in a real-world simulation.
• Tasks:
  • Use Nmap, Metasploit, and Burp Suite to:
    • Scan, identify, and exploit vulnerabilities in a test environment.
  • Document the process:
    • Start with Nmap to find open ports and services.
    • Use Metasploit to exploit a discovered vulnerability.
    • Test for web application flaws using Burp Suite.
  • Write a comprehensive report summarizing the findings and processes.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Evaluate understanding of reporting and tool usage.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 20-question quiz covering reporting and tools like Metasploit and Burp Suite.
  • Analyze incorrect answers and revisit tool documentation or guides.
  • Write a reflection on how tools streamline penetration testing workflows.

Week 7: Code and Malware Analysis

Objective: Understand static and dynamic code analysis and analyze malware to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Day 1: Static Code Analysis Basics

• Goal: Learn how to analyze source code for vulnerabilities without executing it.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Common insecure coding practices (e.g., hardcoded credentials, lack of input validation).
    • Tools like SonarQube and Checkmarx for static analysis.
  • Practice:
    • Install SonarQube and scan a small open-source project for vulnerabilities.
    • Identify and document:
      • Logic flaws.
      • Examples of insecure coding practices.
  • Review:
    • Create flashcards for common code vulnerabilities and their fixes.

Day 2: Advanced Static Code Analysis

• Goal: Dive deeper into static analysis with a focus on secure coding standards.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • OWASP Secure Coding Practices.
    • How to write secure code in web applications (e.g., proper input sanitization).
  • Practice:
    • Scan a vulnerable web application’s source code.
    • Write detailed remediation steps for each vulnerability found.
  • Review:
    • Summarize key points from OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines.

Day 3: Dynamic Code Analysis Basics

• Goal: Observe application behavior at runtime to find vulnerabilities.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • How dynamic analysis tools monitor application execution (e.g., unhandled exceptions, insecure API calls).
    • Tools like AppSpider and Arachni.
  • Practice:
    • Install Arachni and:
      • Scan a test web application for vulnerabilities during runtime.
    • Document dynamic findings, including:
      • Unsecure API calls.
      • Hidden vulnerabilities only observable during execution.
  • Review:
    • Flashcards comparing static vs. dynamic analysis.

Day 4-5: Malware Static Analysis

• Goal: Analyze malware without executing it to understand its structure and potential impact.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Techniques for extracting information from malware binaries.
    • Tools like IDA Pro and Ghidra.
  • Practice:
    • Analyze a sample binary with Ghidra.
    • Extract:
      • Embedded strings, URLs, or IP addresses.
      • Code segments indicating malicious behavior.
    • Write a report detailing findings and potential risks.
  • Review:
    • Flashcards for malware analysis tools and common malware behaviors.

Day 6: Malware Dynamic Analysis

• Goal: Execute malware in a controlled environment to observe its behavior.
• Tasks:
  • Study:
    • Tools like Cuckoo Sandbox for dynamic malware analysis.
    • Techniques for safely executing and monitoring malware.
  • Practice:
    • Set up Cuckoo Sandbox and run a malware sample.
    • Document:
      • Network connections (e.g., Command & Control servers).
      • File changes (e.g., dropped payloads).
  • Review:
    • Write a one-page summary of dynamic malware analysis techniques.

Day 7: Weekly Assessment

• Goal: Test understanding of code and malware analysis techniques.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 20-question quiz on static/dynamic analysis and malware behaviors.
  • Reflect on key takeaways and areas requiring further study.
  • Write a one-page summary comparing the strengths and weaknesses of static and dynamic analysis.

Week 8: Review and Exam Preparation

Objective: Consolidate all knowledge areas, take practice exams, and address weak points.

Day 1: Comprehensive Review

• Goal: Revisit all knowledge areas covered in previous weeks.
• Tasks:
  • Review:
    • Flashcards for key terms and tools.
    • Summary notes from each week.
  • Practice:
    • Perform a simulated penetration test covering:
      • Planning.
      • Information gathering.
      • Attacks and reporting.
  • Document findings as a full penetration test report.

Day 2: Practice Exam 1

• Goal: Test knowledge under exam conditions.
• Tasks:
  • Take a 90-minute, full-length PT0-002 practice exam.
  • Analyze results:
    • Identify weak areas.
    • Review explanations for incorrect answers.

Day 3: Focus on Weak Areas

• Goal: Strengthen understanding of weak topics identified in the practice exam.
• Tasks:
  • Review:
    • Relevant flashcards and notes.
    • Additional resources (videos, documentation) for weak topics.
  • Practice:
    • Hands-on exercises in weak areas (e.g., refining Metasploit usage, mastering reporting).

Day 4: Practice Exam 2

• Goal: Improve exam-taking strategy and accuracy.
• Tasks:
  • Take another full-length practice exam.
  • Document time spent per question to refine time management.
  • Reflect on:
    • Areas of improvement.
    • Strategies for answering difficult questions.

Day 5: Lab Day

• Goal: Build confidence in practical skills.
• Tasks:
  • Create a custom lab environment:
    • Combine tools like Nmap, Burp Suite, and Metasploit.
    • Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a simulated network or web application.
  • Write a detailed report summarizing your findings.

Day 6: Final Review

• Goal: Prepare mentally and technically for the exam.
• Tasks:
  • Review:
    • Flashcards for all topics.
    • Key points from practice exams.
  • Practice:
    • Write a mock penetration test report from scratch to reinforce reporting skills.

Day 7: Exam Simulation

• Goal: Simulate the real exam environment.
• Tasks:
  • Take a final full-length practice exam under timed conditions.
  • Reflect on overall performance and readiness.
  • Rest and prepare for the official exam day.

Final Notes

• Consistency: Stick to the daily tasks and dedicate time for review.
• Hands-on Practice: Emphasize labs to solidify practical skills.
• Reflection: Regularly assess progress and address gaps.