Recon Techniques for Ethical Hacking & Bug Bounties (2026)

Packt via Coursera

Go to class Write review

Details

Go to class

Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

17 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

Google, IBM & Meta Certificates – 40% Off

One Coursera Plus subscription covers most Professional Certificates on Coursera.

Unlock All Certificates

Dive into ethical hacking and bug bounty reconnaissance, mastering Shodan, DNS enumeration, fuzzing, and content discovery. This course provides a structured, hands-on learning path for technical professionals. This course offers a comprehensive guide to mastering reconnaissance and bug bounty hunting, taking you from foundational concepts to advanced exploitation. You will begin by understanding web server architecture and DNS functionality, learning how these concepts apply to penetration testing. As you progress, you will explore techniques for target expansion, subdomain enumeration, and fuzzing—crucial skills for uncovering vulnerabilities in modern systems. The course goes deep into the practical use of Shodan, showing how to find critical vulnerabilities through advanced queries and live hunting. You will also learn to use tools like Wfuzz and FFUF for fuzzing, and explore CMS identification methods to better understand the technologies powering your targets. By the end, you'll have the skills to tackle any bug bounty challenge and expand your horizons with advanced scanning techniques. Alongside the hands-on experience, you will receive insights into bug bounty platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd, offering a roadmap to kickstart your ethical hacking career. With real-world applications, this course prepares you to enter the field of ethical hacking with confidence, mastering the tools and techniques used by professionals today. This course is ideal for beginners eager to dive into ethical hacking and bug bounty hunting, as well as professionals looking to sharpen their skills in penetration testing. If you're a cybersecurity analyst, developer, or penetration tester, you’ll find this course relevant. Those who aspire to enter the cybersecurity field will also benefit from the foundational principles and tools explored. No prior experience in hacking or Linux is required, making it perfect for anyone starting their journey in ethical hacking and bug bounties. Learn the fundamentals of bug bounty hunting and ethical hacking, starting with reconnaissance and building up to advanced techniques. Explore DNS enumeration, CMS identification, Shodan use, fuzzing, and subdomain enumeration. Gain hands-on experience with real-world tools, empowering you to excel in penetration testing and bug bounty hunting challenges. This course is based on Reconnaissance Techniques for Ethical Hacking & Bug Bounties (2026), by Hacktify Technologies Pvt. Ltd.. This course is licensed and distributed by Packt. All rights reserved. Packt is one of the world's most prolific publishers of cutting-edge technical content. For over two decades we've made it our mission to curate and publish the knowledge of only the very best technical experts. We focus on real-world courses that help our customers get the job done, with coverage that extends across a wide range of established and cutting-edge technical topics. If you're an individual or an organisation that embraces learning by doing, Packt is the perfect fit for you.

Syllabus

Introduction
- This module provides an overview of reconnaissance in ethical hacking and bug bounty programs, covering its importance, legal considerations, and future trends. Learners will gain foundational knowledge on how to approach security assessments effectively.
Note Keeping Importance
- This module explores the critical role of note-taking in ethical hacking and bug bounty work. It covers techniques for organizing findings, using visual documentation, and applying best practices for effective documentation during penetration testing and security assessments.
Bug Bounty Recon Introduction
- This module introduces foundational concepts in web technology and reconnaissance methods used in bug bounty programs. Learners will explore the basics of web servers, DNS, URLs, and resource identification, while also gaining insight into ethical practices and mental discipline required for effective bug hunting.
Shodan for Bug Bounties
- This module provides learners with hands-on skills in using Shodan for reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, and ethical hacking. It covers installation, API usage, data analysis, and report generation, while also demonstrating how to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in real-time.
Certificate Transparency for Subdomain Enumeration
- This module provides learners with practical skills in using Certificate Transparency tools like Crt.sh, Shodan, and Censys for subdomain enumeration. It covers techniques to uncover hidden infrastructure, automate data collection, and apply these methods in real-world scenarios such as bug bounty hunting and penetration testing.
Scope Expansion
- This module covers essential tools and techniques for expanding the scope of bug bounty reconnaissance. Learners will gain hands-on experience with penetration testing tools, subdomain enumeration methods, and data extraction strategies. The module emphasizes practical applications and efficient information gathering for vulnerability assessment.
Diving in Depth of Archives for Bug Bounties
- This module explores the use of the Wayback Machine for retrieving historical web data, focusing on techniques for uncovering vulnerabilities, automating reconnaissance, and integrating with security tools like Burp Suite. Learners will gain practical skills in leveraging web archives for bug bounty research and security testing.
DNS Enumeration for Bug Bounties
- This module equips learners with essential techniques for conducting DNS enumeration, including using specialized tools and analyzing DNS records to enhance bug bounty reconnaissance skills.
CMS Identification
- This module provides hands-on training on using various tools to identify web technologies, detect outdated components, and uncover vulnerabilities in web applications. Learners will gain practical knowledge on reconnaissance techniques for security assessments and bug bounty programs.
Fuzzing
- This module covers the fundamentals of fuzzing, including its role in vulnerability discovery, practical steps for implementation, and the use of tools like Burp Suite, Wfuzz, and FFUF. Learners will gain hands-on experience with fuzzing techniques for web applications, focusing on identifying weak points in authentication and directory structures.
Content Discovery
- This module explores tools and techniques for discovering hidden content on web servers, focusing on practical methods for identifying sensitive files and understanding server responses through HTTP status codes.
Visual Recon with Screenshots
- This module teaches how to use screenshots effectively for visual reconnaissance, focusing on capturing and analyzing web assets to identify potential vulnerabilities. Learners will gain practical skills in identifying security risks through visual data and efficiently reviewing subdomain content.
Github Recon
- This module covers techniques for identifying sensitive information in GitHub repositories, including both automated and manual reconnaissance methods. Learners will gain an understanding of how to detect and prevent the exposure of credentials, tokens, and configuration files. The content emphasizes practical skills for securing code and infrastructure on public platforms.
WAF Identification
- This module teaches learners how to detect and identify Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) using tools like Nmap and WafW00f. It covers techniques for fingerprinting WAFs, comparing detection methods, and understanding the protective mechanisms they provide. Learners will gain practical skills in analyzing and evaluating WAF identification strategies.
Google Dorks Manually
- This module covers the fundamentals of Google Dorking, including how to perform advanced searches manually, create custom queries, and contribute to the Google Hacking Database. Learners will gain practical skills in identifying vulnerable systems and sensitive data through search operators and techniques.
Bug Bounty Platforms
- This module provides an in-depth overview of various bug bounty platforms, including their features, processes, and unique characteristics. Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to participate in vulnerability reporting, navigate different platforms, and understand the importance of responsible disclosure. It equips learners with the skills needed to engage effectively in bug bounty programs.
Mindmaps for Recon & Bug Bounties
- This module explores the use of mindmaps in organizing reconnaissance data and planning bug bounty strategies. Learners will gain practical insights into visual thinking techniques and how to structure information effectively for cybersecurity workflows. The content includes real-world examples and knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts.