How to Stop Learning and Start Hacking!

It's so easy to get caught in a cycle where all you do is learn and you never manage to get hacking. In this video I'll tell you why learning too much can be a bad thing, how to get out of the cycle, and also give out some motivational wisdom to get you hacking.
Did you know this episode was sponsored by Intigriti? Sign up with my link go.intigriti.com/katie I'm so pleased with everyone's positive response to the Intigriti sponsorship and I'm so pleased you folks are finding bugs and even finding your first bugs! Thank you for being awesome!
By the way, I am back to making videos! This is the first regular video with a dark theme and I'm going to go with a Wednesday upload. Let me know if you have any comments about that!
Here are the links to things I talked about this week
- My Discord: / discord
- Twitter, least complex bugs: / 1292801418139701249
- Twitter, naffy on bugbountytips / 1292391496595861505

[@Ralki]

I really believe you're one of the bridges between the gap for many of us that are struggling to make a career or get something out of Bug Bounty. Being able to make content that is REALLY easy to understand just show the deep level of understanding that you have in this field. Keep going, someday you will also see the rewards of give some much back for the community.

[@InsiderPhD]

My aim with every video on my channel is to be the resource I wish I had, when I felt like "here's how to pop a basic XSS" just didn't meet what I needed, but neither did here's a super complex bug I found part 36. I was fortunate enough to have mentors, but not everyone has access to mentors, so I knew I wanted to be that mentor!

[@LoloisKali]

I agree, she definitely is that bridge. Thank you very much Katie I can't believe this content is from over two years ago and it's still very valuable and valid

[@taiquangong9912]

The issue is which techniques to apply to the correct bug. I have a lot of books I read and play with THM,HtB and other learning sites

[@adamkenawell85x]

i actually needed this video more than i realized, thank you!

[@myself.mohammed.ibrahim]

Thanks a lot Katie for pushing me to start, you're so motivating....!!!

[@husseindhooma5816]

I have to say this Katie, I have checking out videos and videos on Bug bounties, but the knowledge you share and emotion and love you have for the craft is simply amazing. I cannot stop watching your videos. Every video gives more inspiration and more knowledge to learn something else. Thank you Katie for such amazing content, keep up the good work, you will definitely be rewarded.

[@mageshsal1015]

Your talk just made my day tnks Katie , hope to see you in person for thanking you ✌️✌️

[@renato192]

Thank you Katie for this video and other video's it has help me to stop learning and get into it and learn Burp, i almost gave up until i watched his video thank you.

[@justinmckinney5110]

This video was very helpful, just like all of your videos are! Thank you so much for giving your experience back to the community!

[@sachinmaurya3259]

Thank you, Katie for opening my eyes I was just learning and was not implementing the things it makes thing hard for me to remember :)

[@ZaG-yo3fd]

New to your channel. I subscribed right after I watched this video. I love your honesty and appreciate your content. Thanks! Looking forward to watching more of your channel 🙌

[@SinfonianBro07]

This was so encouraging and helpful beyond words. Thank you

[@BholewalaofTaranto1098]

Never had I needed something more in my life, and not known till I got it. Cheers, and thanks a lot!!

[@logmantarig]

Really thank you that really motivated , I was just hovering around just learn everything and I don't how to start ,this really helps a lot and I'm going to start today, what ever it's I'm just going to do it

[@sumitkhadka5123]

i have been following u for a couple of weeks and the content that you are posting is really helpful.........its helping me to get back in the way thankx a lots

[@MosnoAlMoseeki]

You are amazing, and thank you for the inspiration. I signed up for integrity via your link, thank you for the encouragement, I really needed to hear that. Wish you amazing success, and awesome bug hunts :)

[@kdawg1990]

And this is what I have been missing, no matter how much I have been trying to learn the part I have been missing is this. Thank you for this video.

[@jaganathank7532]

Thank you for this video. It's really good and more useful to me. Your a good motivator

[@himanshupandey9303]

I really loved the way you simplified basic bugs that one can find. Love your way of explanation. Keep it up for us. Lots of love!!

[@InsiderPhD]

Thanks, will do! I know my videos are on the longer side but I really hope that I manage to break them down and build them back up for you!

[@Finaltestament1001]

Great video! Keep up the great work!

[@kaden6149]

Oh my gosh I've never been so inspired lol! You nailed this video!

[@johnmartin6664]

I'm confused with things from last 8 days asking my friends how to manage learning and hunting thank you so much for this video thank you❤️❤️❤️

[@shrirangkahale]

Much needed video.... I only learn ( I just think I want to learn more...) & never practiced.... Thanku for opening my eyes

[@balapraneeth9708]

Those words for hacking on a public platform are simply amazing. Thanks Katie :)

[@kabirsuda]

Super motivating, amazing and just the video that i needed!☺️

[@bourbon3406]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been spending a lot more time learning than actually hacking these days. And it's easy to fall into this pitfall because it gives you a false sense of productivity. I'm really inspired by your work.

[@InsiderPhD]

You're very welcome! Honestly 100% this you've expressed it really well, you feel productive and like you're learning but you're not becoming a better hacker, just really good at learning

[@JasonGomes140294]

Stok and you with some motivation on the same day !. Loved it !

[@InsiderPhD]

STÖK is an inspiration to us all!

[@ggmaxx66]

a very motivational video! you gave me a credo: "MUST APPLY KNOWLEGE OR LOSE IT!"

[@michaelndon2920]

Super content Kathie, I needed to hear this. Thanks so much..🙏🏾

[@InsiderPhD]

You are so welcome! I needed to hear this too!

[@elloochador69]

Always quality content! Thank you Katie!

[@InsiderPhD]

Bless! 🙏 thank you for enjoying it!

[@ankitparmar547]

its been a while that i am learning stuff, just wanted to jump right into the pool of bugs & guess what your video pops up ! BTW Thanks for ENERGY ! And Good Luck To Everyone who are just getting started :) cheers ! Ending music

[@ShivaKumar-br3wg]

Tbh I was stuck for about 4 months I really needed this video Thanks!:-)

[@eyokfla]

WOW! this video is just so POWERFUL! Thanks a lot!

[@leandrovelazquezmoran5275]

Great content! Keep it up!

[@sergiomazariego_]

Your content really motivate me in the long term, you are awesome!

[@InsiderPhD]

You can do it!

[@cprivera83]

Thank you! This is what I need right now.

[@EandE-podcast]

Thanks for the motivation👍🏽

[@hussienfaour2066]

What an amazing video!!! That's what all we needed, really, a huge thanks @InsiderPhD !!!

[@missullaangell]

Needed this thank you xxxx

[@michaelengher9895]

Thank you very much for this!

[@mayureshatole]

Great video ! Thanks 👍

[@thegreatindonesia6925]

This is my first comment I have been following your video for a long time and I have find your video's very helpful for me. Since I have been in the learning trap. Thanku

[@InsiderPhD]

Thank you for commenting on my video

[@alexeysolovyev1107]

You are great Kate, thanks a lot for motivation

[@InsiderPhD]

Thank you so much!

[@yosoffmalik9135]

@InsiderPhD - katie , you know what! you are amazing

[@mostafahamza3106]

as a beginner that helped me alot thank you so much for this awesome video i really needed to hear it

[@harshitgupta2975]

This is exactly what I am finding....thank you so much!!! Love your content and that dark theme too(I also voted)..!!!!!!!

[@InsiderPhD]

Glad you like it! It's a little more work but I know some of my videos were causing eye strain so well worth it so that it's more accessible for everyone!

[@harshitgupta2975]

@@InsiderPhD 🥰🥰🥰

[@kibethnehema2069]

You made me realize something. This is true on the defensive side too. I had a Masters degree and Security+ certification before my butt ever hit a chair in a SOC. I remember feeling soooo dumb my first few weeks. The guy who trained me showed me some tools and log file locations and would sit there while I researched. I remember asking him how he knew what rabbit hole was worth going down. And he said it depends on the exploit, source, target etc... but you get a feel for it after a wile. And he was correct. A year later I was sitting with confused junior analysts diging through the most random things while I would see a small bit of code and know exactly where to go, but the Junior analysts needed that exposure, to go down those rabbit holes and not just be hand fed each answer because there are so many possibilites. We wouldn't leave them hanging, of course, if they were truly lost; but they just needed to give it an honest try in order to really figure it all out.

[@obitorasu1760]

An InsiderPhD video a day keeps you motivated the right way.

[@dankohler3192]

Very inspirational. Thank you.

[@samsepiol6355]

Thank you making this video. Looking forward for more awsome content. :)

[@InsiderPhD]

More to come! Feeling rested and relaxed after my break so expect your usual weekly videos!

[@r0075h3ll]

Gonna apply the concept explained. Dope video 🔥

[@InsiderPhD]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@hzhz9013]

alot of thx katie ❤️❤️❤️

[@acunsumageka3949]

thanks a lot katie, really help me

[@InsiderPhD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brittb7766]

Love your videos!!!!

[@learnlylearnaboutmanything7112]

Thank Katie😃😄😃 for explaining the Gap between learning and hacking , I have been struggling in that for long time !

[@InsiderPhD]

Happy to help!

[@kannanmanoharan4793]

Thanks for the video. It has cleared many of my doubts.. I was in a same situation where thought to start hacking once I learned everything completely.

[@InsiderPhD]

Glad it helped! I know bug bounty is tough but with perseverance you can do it :)

[@nathangriffiths8809]

Very useful advice Katie. Thanks.

[@InsiderPhD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@maksudmuzaffarov]

That's amazing. Cool. Thank you so much

[@digvijaysadashivpatil650]

Thanks, awesome video to get motivated.

[@InsiderPhD]

You got this!

[@recepby]

Note myself: * It is totally ok to fail. You won't find something maybe but it worths it. * How do I transition: START ** NOW. Just do it. * DO NOT TELL YOURSELF YOU WILL HACK TOMORROW OR THE DAY AFTER. * DO NOT PUT IT OFF UNTIL "YOU ARE READY". YOU WILL NEVER BE %100 READY. * DO DOT TRY AND LEARN EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU NEED TO LEARN.

[@rajatdutta8365]

Thanks, good advice

[@hemantthanna]

Amazing video....... I was looking for this for a long time. BTW are you really that old (as in your icon)???

[@BrahimN09]

wow i actually needed this video. okay , starting today. wish me luck

[@SaadiBabar]

Thanks for this video.. it is really helpful for me right now...cuz i am stuck in learning...

[@dansylke6847]

Great advice, something I needed.

[@sinanozdemir2482]

The Cyber Mentor brought me here. Your channel is awesome.

[@InsiderPhD]

Thanks for coming! I hope you enjoy my content :)

[@drawme3]

Very helpful Thank you.

[@shamimi123]

Really needed this, starting to watch now! Portswigger academy is amazing, both learning and labs.

[@InsiderPhD]

It really is! I have enjoyed some of the labs and their resources end up being some of my sources when I go to collect further reading for videos!

[@tirtheshpawar1020]

Great video KATIE!!! Needed this pinch of reality or push of faith can say. It's not been a great time for long but I can say I am gonna get right back at it!! Thanks @InsiderPhd

[@InsiderPhD]

You can do it!!! I believe in you :)

[@abhhibirdawade9657]

Damm how come you read our minds Whatever you provide is what we need

[@innerfire369]

You are awesome, thank you!

[@swapnilpawar2311]

this video is one of the best thing happened in this lockdown for me . thnx

[@InsiderPhD]

Glad to hear that! I hope you've been doing okay with lockdowns, bless🙏 it's been hard on a lot of people!

[@abhishekkanaujia4485]

After watching your video I feel so much positive. Thank you soo much for this..😍

[@InsiderPhD]

My pleasure 😊

[@sul3y]

Thank you, You awesome, im stuck at learnin' ima go out there and start hacking and test.

[@rohullahafzali1587]

amazing talk!!!

[@black_cr4ck]

love your accent and thanks for this awesome content.

[@InsiderPhD]

Thanks for watching! So kind of you

[@jamesgaray7625]

Thank you for this

[@pentestical]

Totally agree with that. You need to crush it!

[@spyboy3924]

thanks this is great advice

[@Manish-mz8qw]

You are more than a Hacker!!! Perfect Motivation 💯💯

[@amrshaglouf5429]

I don't know what I can say to you, really thank you again

[@WatsonInfosec]

Good advice 👍 I am trying to learn Burpsuite now.

[@InsiderPhD]

You can do it! I promise you it totally looks scarier than it actually is!!

[@terraflops]

okay, i will do so, Got Burp set up, followed along with the 18 videos and playing around with yahoo , changed search parameter following video felt great.

[@BnayaProgramming]

A 1000 likes and 3 dislikes! you are really amazing at what you do !

[@hardwork3196]

this video = awesome ( info about hacking + english ) :D, thanks for the video.

[@sechvnnull1524]

Awesome video! Thank you so much as I am currently in school for cybersecurity and feel that I am just all over the place and never really getting anywhere. This absolutely helps put things into perspective. I did have a question for you, do you use a VPS when hacking or typically stick with Burp or other tools. Reason I ask is I assume many of the bug bounty programs most likely have WAF's and block for example a Kali VM. I have recently created a VPS with many of the important tools installed. I also have got Pentestbox downloaded and am learning how to use that platform as they have many tools as well and is run from within a Windows environment. So I'm curious how you approach a target and what tools or platform you typically utilize? Thank you for all your help!

[@InsiderPhD]

I tend to just use burp and my home network, I am pretty streamlined in terms of my methodology, you can see more in my My Methodology video. You don't need a lot of complex tools, and actually sometimes they can hinder you! You can spend forever learning tools but most bugs don't need complex tooling, I personally HATE Kali!

[@sechvnnull1524]

@@InsiderPhD Awesome! Thank you that answered my question exactly!

[@sadnansakin7608]

but awesome ! . thanks InsiderPhD sister!

[@jakariaislamshanto1217]

right on time !

[@toastom]

I'm just starting out in hacking and coming from a software and electronics background. This whole world is super big and intimidating at times. Just going through PortSwigger's curriculum right now and starting to do those labs.

[@markoutlaw9538]

what is there to dislike in this video, one of the best video to explain the situation of learners. i dont know wth is their reason to dislike i hate these kind of peoples :(

[@InsiderPhD]

You can't make everyone happy! And that's okay, I will be fine without them :)

[@screamerchaotix5182]

Great video. I'm often quite disappointed how rarely a system("/bin/sh") is just sitting there, waiting for me in the real world 😢😁

[@InsiderPhD]

You and me both! I'm waiting to see a webshell in the wild :(

[@itsfran76]

THANK YOU

[@tyresewhyte9364]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS IM GOING TO START NOW 😎😎😎

[@gulammohammed72]

thank you, really a pro tip :)

[@satyamgothi5090]

This is so apt!💯

[@BecklyCrackers_18thFloor]

my first (accepted) bug submission was so simple, I spent a month trying to build on it before a friend really pushed me to submit it.

[@InsiderPhD]

It always will be, good job to your friend for recognising it and pushing you to submit it :) that's a good friends for sure :)

[@abrahamnunez902]

And what about always being on the "applying" side and throwing random things at webapps until it breaks? For me sometimes its the opposite, sometimes tutorials and writeups are really taxing on my energy and focus (except for your content, its very digestable and to the point), whereas a more hands on approach feels more fun and engaging, even if I end up learning one thing after several hours lol

[@InsiderPhD]

That's awesome! That's exactly what you should be doing, always focusing on applying and practice. I ALWAYS learn better by doing and experimenting, you should see my vulnerable code directory when I find a new bug I always replicate the vulnerable code to 1) improve my code review skills 2) to experiment with a bug on my own terms!

[@amrshaglouf5429]

thank you very much

[@johnpangilinan6831]

This is what I need!!!!!! Thanks for this video!!!! I'll start hacking now!

[@abhii5852]

This is gold

[@hawk__]

just so Awesome!

[@ashrafulalim1272]

Thanks.