Any tips on how to start learning how to reverse engineer?

Question

Cybersecurity Enthusiast!

Answer 1

1. Learn computer architecture. You need deep understanding how the machine works to be able to make sense of the machine level code.

2. Learn lowest possible level programming languages. Assembly and C/C++ is a must.

3. Learn how operating systems work. You need a good understanding how an application interacts with an OS, and know the native OS API.

4. Optional, but may be useful. Learn how compilers work.

5. Get very comfortable in using debuggers and disassemblers. Your tools and ability to use them matter.

6. Practice. A lot.

That's assuming you want to reverse engineer applications. If you're interested in system programs, then you wouldn't care about any OS. If you're talking about reverse engineering hardware - that's completely different topic.

I can recommend reading Andrew Tanenbaum's books to learn about computer and OS architecture, learning assembly language and C or C++, learning your OS native APIs, getting the tools, and reading a lot of "hackers'" websites, solving some "crackme-s". And that's only for reverse engineering. Computer security involves many more other topics.

Answer 2

Off topic, but since you're interested, here's a simple code for you to reverse engineer ;) :

https://code.sololearn.com/c61iziQqXr88/?ref=app

Answer 3

for security purposes u might want to visit vulnhub or other sites that list CTFs and search for reverse engineering challenges

Answer 4

@markus thanks!! I'll be sure to check vulnhub thank you so much

Answer 5

@marvin I'm just a newbie :( pls hep haha I was looking at OSCP and I'm taken aback by the amount of knowledge required to get the certification...

Answer 6

Hello World! :D