Building And Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab

"Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Safe, Professional Penetration Testing Environment"

What you'll learn

Set up VirtualBox and deploy multiple operating system targets for penetration testing.

Install and configure Kali Linux, Metasploitable, Windows, and Server environments.

Create realistic vulnerable systems for hands-on cybersecurity training.

Establish secure networking for isolated lab testing.

Requirements

A computer with at least 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) and 60+ GB free disk space.

Willingness to download and run VirtualBox and virtual machines.

No prior hacking experience required — all tools are explained from scratch.

Description

Before you can ethically hack or penetration test, you need a safe, isolated environment to practice your skills. Building and Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab is a hands-on course that walks you through creating a professional-grade penetration testing lab from scratch — no prior hacking experience required.You’ll start by setting up VirtualBox, the free virtualization platform, and learn how to install multiple virtual machines, including Kali Linux, Windows 10 Pro, Metasploitable 2 and 3, CSI Linux, and OWASP vulnerable web applications. You’ll configure NAT networking, take system snapshots, and install the VirtualBox Extension Pack for advanced features.The course also covers network segmentation and lab isolation to ensure your testing environment stays safe. You’ll learn to manage IP addresses, avoid conflicts, and troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional attack lab where you can safely run security tools and exploits without risking your main computer or any external systems.We’ll also introduce the ethical and legal side of penetration testing. You’ll understand pre-engagement documentation like the Statement of Work (SOW), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). We’ll align your lab setup and testing process with industry-recognized frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, NIST, and the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES).Whether you’re a beginner building your first lab, an IT professional preparing for certifications like CEH or OSCP, or a cybersecurity enthusiast wanting a safe space to experiment, this course will give you the skills to set up, configure, and maintain your own cyber range.By the end of this course, you’ll have a ready-to-use, professional penetration testing lab — your personal playground for ethical hacking and cybersecurity skill development.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Course Overview

Section 2: VirtualBox Fundamentals

Lecture 2 Installing Oracle VirtualBox on Windows 10/11

Lecture 3 Downloading ISO and OVA Files for VirtualBox

Lecture 4 Installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack

Lecture 5 Adding a NAT Network in VirtualBox

Lecture 6 Fix Duplicate IP Address Issue

Lecture 7 Taking a Snapshot of Your Current configuration

Section 3: Deploying Core Lab Systems

Lecture 8 Creating a Virtual Install of Kali Using VirtualBox

Lecture 9 Create a Virtual Install of Metasploitable2

Lecture 10 Create a Virtual Install of Metasploitable3 w2k8

Lecture 11 Create a Virtual Install of Windows 10 Pro

Lecture 12 Spoofing Your Browser to Get Access to Windows 10 Pro

Lecture 13 Create a Virtual Install of Metasploitable3-ub1404

Section 4: Server & Domain Controller Setup

Lecture 14 Create Virtual Install of Server 2016 Full GUI

Lecture 15 Promote Server 2016 to a Domain Controller

Anyone new to ethical hacking or penetration testing who wants a safe place to start.,IT students and career changers building foundational cybersecurity skills.,Professionals who want to set up a home hacking lab and learn OSINT techniques.,Learners preparing for entry-level certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or CompTIA Security+.