Massoud’s Self-Taught Cybersecurity Certifications

A relentless pursuit of knowledge in ethical hacking, security, programming, and language proficiency.

Driven by my unwavering passion for cybersecurity, I embarked on a self-guided journey of knowledge acquisition, delving into key areas that have significantly expanded my expertise. Through a blend of structured online courses and independent practice, I have honed skills across various disciplines within the field of cybersecurity and beyond. These certifications have equipped me with the practical tools and in-depth understanding required to navigate today’s evolving digital landscape. Below are the key domains where I have deepened my expertise:

ethical hacking

network security

web security audits

malware creation

Python programming

English-language

Meet My Mentor: Michel Cartner - Founder of Cyberini

Michel Cartner is the founder of Cyberini, a state-certified cybersecurity training center known for providing high-quality education in the field. His training programs are highly regarded in the French-speaking world, offering comprehensive instruction in ethical hacking, network security, and more. Many of his courses on Cyberini are officially recognized and provide certifications that hold significant value in the job market.

Michel has made several of his popular courses available on Udemy, offering them at a more affordable price. This allows a broader audience, including students like me, to benefit from his expert teachings. On Udemy (Udemy is a global online learning platform known for offering a wide range of affordable courses across various fields, including IT, business, and creative disciplines. ), his courses consistently rank among the highest-rated in the cybersecurity category, demonstrating their effectiveness and widespread appeal.
[Visit The Cybersecurity Training Center - Cyberini]

Ethical Hacking - The Complete Course

The field of Ethical Hacking serves as a critical introduction to cybersecurity, emphasizing both the ethical principles and the fundamental technical skills required to secure systems. Through this course, I learned to think like an attacker in order to better defend systems, a concept referred to as "offensive security." I gained foundational knowledge in the five stages of penetration testing, covering reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and clearing tracks. These steps taught me to approach security with a comprehensive, methodical mindset.

This training not only strengthened my understanding of network security and vulnerabilities but also provided a solid base in the ethical responsibilities that come with working in this field. By the end, I felt equipped to apply these concepts to real-world situations.

Course: Ethical Hacking - The Complete Course (Hacking Éthique - Le Cours Complet)
Length : 14.5 hours
Instructor: Michel Cartner
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 4.6/5 | 41,226 participants

Ethical Hacking - Network Security

In this course, I explored network vulnerabilities and learned practical techniques to test and improve the security of IT systems. I gained hands-on experience with attacks like deauthentication, sniffing, ARP spoofing and more ..., which helped me understand how real-world intrusions happen. One of the key takeaways was learning how to crack and secure WiFi networks, a critical skill for evaluating wireless network safety. Additionally, I became proficient with tools such as Wireshark for network analysis, Aircrack-ng for cracking WiFi passwords, Ettercap for performing man-in-the-middle attacks, and more ... .This certification gave me a solid foundation in network security, which is essential for protecting against modern cyber threats.

Course: Ethical Hacking - Network Security (Hacking Éthique : Sécurité des réseaux)
Length : 6 hours
Instructor: Michel Cartner
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 4.6/5 | 3,337 participants

Ethical Hacking - Penetration Testing and Web Security

In this course, I gained hands-on experience with web security by learning how to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. We covered essential concepts like authentication and session flaws, brute force attacks, SQL injection and others ... . I also explored more complex vulnerabilities such as CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery), XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), LFI (Local File Inclusion), and RFI (Remote File Inclusion). Additionally, I learned about Denial of Service (DoS) attacks and how to use tools like Burp Suite, Recon-ng, OWASP ZAP, and Nikto to perform comprehensive security assessments. This training provided me with a solid foundation in web penetration testing, helping me understand how these attacks work and how to defend against them effectively.

Course: Ethical Hacking - Penetration Testing and Web Security (Hacking Éthique : Tests d'intrusion et sécurité web)
Length : 7.5 hours
Instructor: Michel Cartner
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 4.3/5 | 5,925 participants

Ethical Hacking: Study of Malware

In this course, I learned about different types of malware and how they function, including how to detect infections and prevent them. I studied forensic analysis, keyloggers, and Trojan horses, along with techniques like deobfuscating .NET programs and recovering logs via FTP. I also gained practical experience using tools like msfvenom for payload generation, as well as other tools such as Wireshark for traffic analysis, Metasploit for testing vulnerabilities, and others ... . This certification gave me essential knowledge in malware detection, analysis, and prevention, helping me better understand cybersecurity threats.

Course: Ethical Hacking - Study of Malware
(Hacking Éthique : Étude des logiciels malveillants)
Length : 5.5 hours
Instructor: Michel Cartner
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 4.8/5 | 1,904 participants

Learning to Program Viruses Through Practice

In this course, I gained hands-on experience with various virus programming techniques and methods of viral infection. I studied different types of infecting programs, such as logic bombs, forkbombs, and how to create client-server Trojan horses, along with viruses and worms. I also explored several infection methods, including code addition, code accompaniment, overwriting, code interleaving, and even source code infection. Additionally, I learned about antivirus techniques and how to counter these threats. The course provided practical experience using languages like C and Python, alongside tools on Kali Linux. This certification helped me build a strong foundation in malware development and the mechanisms of viral infections.

Course: Learning to Program Viruses Through Practice (Apprendre à programmer des virus par la pratique)
Length : 12.5 hours
Instructor: Grégoire Denis
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 4.3/5 | 315 participants

Ethical Hacking: Learn to Program in Python

In this course, I learned the fundamentals of Linux and developed a strong foundation in Python programming. We worked on several exciting mini-projects, such as programming a password cracker, a forensic tool, a DNS and ARP spoofer, and a web vulnerability scanner. These projects gave me hands-on experience in applying Python to ethical hacking scenarios. Throughout the course, we used tools like Kali Linux, Iptables for firewall management, and Python libraries such as Scapy for packet manipulation and Tkinter for creating simple graphical interfaces. This experience helped me build essential skills for ethical hacking and security automation.

Course: Ethical Hacking: Learn to Program in Python(Hacking Éthique : Apprendre à programmer en python)
Length : 14.5 hours
Instructor: Michel Cartner
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 4.7/5 | 4,499 participants

Python Developer | Complete Training 2024

This long course, taught by Jonathan Roux, a renowned Python programming and AI expert, offers one of the most well-explained and comprehensive Python trainings available. The content is presented with clarity, simplicity, and precision, making it accessible from beginner to professional level. Through this complete course, I have learned everything from Python basics—functions, dictionaries, collections (lists, tuples), and object-oriented programming—to advanced topics like automation scripts, web scraping, ethical hacking, network sockets, and penetration testing. We also explored web development using HTML, CSS, and Django, creating projects like 'Pizza Mama' and publishing websites online, as well as the super project 'Galaxy.' Although I have mainly focused on the cybersecurity sections so far, I’m continuing the course and plan to earn the full certification soon.

PCAP - Certified Associate Python Programmer

I am currently enrolled in the PCAP - Certified Associate Python Programmer course through my university. This certification focuses on validating my skills and knowledge in Python programming, covering a range of topics from basic syntax to advanced programming concepts. Although I have not yet completed the course, I am on track to finish it by the end of the year. This certification will further solidify my Python skills and enhance my programming expertise.

Course : PCAP - Certified Associate Python Programmer
Instructor: PythonInstitute (Through the Academy)
Certification: PythonInstitute - PCAP

Tandem - English Intermediate Level

I completed the English Intermediate III course at a highly reputed language center in Tunisia (Tandem). This two-month virtual class, which I attended during the summer vacation, was conducted entirely in English. The course significantly improved my fluency and communication skills. It covered a broad range of intermediate-level English concepts. At the end of the course, I took a proctored exam and achieved a score of 75/90. This homologated certification was instrumental in advancing my English proficiency.

Course: Tandem - English Intermediate Level
Length : 30 hours / about two months
Instructor: Wael Aamira
Certification: Tandem Training Center - [See their Website]
Participants : about fifteen
Reputation : Homologated Certification

TOEFL Preparation - Amideast

I am currently enrolled in a TOEFL preparation course at Amideast - Tunisia, a renowned English training center that offers comprehensive support for the TOEFL exam. This course is designed to sharpen my skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, all crucial components of the test. I am highly motivated and aiming to achieve a high score when I take the exam at the end of 2024. This certification will be a key milestone in my academic and professional journey, enabling me to further enhance my English proficiency for future studies and career opportunities.

Course: TOEFL Preparation - Amideast
Length : 42 hours / about two months
Certification: TOEFL Preparation - Amideast [Amideast - Tunisia]

Improving English (Intermediate Level - B1/B2)

This short course was designed as a review to refresh my understanding of English at an intermediate level. It covered key concepts and rules, providing a valuable refresher on essential grammar, vocabulary, and language principles. This course helped me revisit and solidify some intermediate-level English concepts.

Course: Improving English (Intermediate Level - B1/B2) - (Améliorer Son Anglais | Niveau Intermédiaire B1/B2)
Length : 1.5 hours
Instructor: Delphine Blasco
Certification: Udemy
Rating: 3.8/5 | 58 participants

A Journey of Passion, Growth, and Global Readiness

Throughout my academic and personal journey, I have consistently sought to deepen my knowledge and skills in cybersecurity, software development, and language proficiency. From mastering programming languages like Python to gaining expertise in ethical hacking and web security, I am driven by a passion for continuous learning and innovation. Additionally, improving my English communication skills has been a crucial part of my development, allowing me to confidently engage in international opportunities. My certifications reflect a strong commitment to excellence, adaptability, and a global mindset. I am excited to take the next step in my education and career, confident that my skills will help me make a meaningful impact in the digital world.

Self-taught cybersecurity certifications and commitment to continuous learning