Ditch the Tutorials: Hackers Learn Backwards from Epic Fails, Building Intuition Faster Than Any Linear Syllabus

A new approach to learning hacking, known as "learning backwards," has been gaining traction in the cybersecurity industry. This method involves starting with a complex problem or breach and working backwards to understand the underlying systems and vulnerabilities. Rather than following a traditional linear learning path, individuals using this approach begin with the end result and attempt to recreate it, often through trial and error. This technique, used by experienced hackers, allows learners to develop a deeper understanding of how systems fail and how to identify potential vulnerabilities. By starting with a writeup or exploit they barely understand, learners can reproduce the end result in a lab and work backwards to identify the key factors that led to the breach. This approach has been shown to be effective in developing practical skills and intuition, and is being adopted by those in the industry, including bug bounty hunters and red teamers.