Building and Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab

Name: Building and Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab
Rating: 4.8 (4 reviews)

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

Created byProf. K

Last updated 5/2026

English

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.

Course content

4 sections • 15 lectures • 1h 52m total length

Course Overview1:09
What to expect and how to succeed in this course.

Installing Oracle VirtualBox on Windows 10/113:41
Learn how to easily install Oracle VirtualBox on Windows 10/11 in this step-by-step tutorial. VirtualBox is a powerful, free virtualization tool that lets you run multiple operating systems on your PC without altering your main system. In this video, you’ll see how to:
Downloading ISO and OVA Files for VirtualBox10:09
Where and how to get OS images.
Installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack2:18
Enabling USB and other advanced features.
Adding a NAT Network in VirtualBox2:12
Configuring virtual network settings.
Fix Duplicate IP Address Issue1:48
Solving common networking conflicts.
Taking a Snapshot of Your Current configuration4:13

Creating a Virtual Install of Kali Using VirtualBox12:11
Installing the main attack OS.
Create a Virtual Install of Metasploitable210:00
Setting up a vulnerable Linux target.
Create an Automated Virtual Install of Windows 10 Pro19:16
Deploying a modern Windows target.
Copying the PowerShell-Lab Folder to the Windows 10 Target4:26
In this lesson, you will learn how to transfer the PowerShell-Lab folder from your host computer to the Windows 10 target VM. The PowerShell-Lab folder contains the scripts used throughout the course to configure, validate, and prepare the target machine for cybersecurity and DFIR exercises. By the end of this lesson, the folder will be successfully copied to the Windows 10 desktop and ready for use in future labs.
Making Win10 Vulnerable Using PowerShell8:21
In this lesson, you will learn how to transform your clean Windows 10 lab machine into a vulnerable target using the PowerShell-Lab scripts. These scripts apply a series of controlled security misconfigurations that will be used throughout the course for vulnerability assessments, digital forensics investigations, and cybersecurity exercises. By the end of this lesson, your Windows 10 VM will be ready for the hands-on labs that follow.
Create an Automated Virtual Install of Metasploitable3 w2k8/ub140411:20
In this lesson, you will learn how to automate the installation and configuration of Metasploitable3 (Windows Server 2008 and Ubuntu Server) using Packer, Vagrant, and VirtualBox. Rather than manually installing the operating system and vulnerable services, you will use an automated build process to create a repeatable lab environment suitable for penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and cybersecurity training. By the end of this lesson, you will have a fully functional Metasploitable3 Windows Server 2008 virtual machine ready for use in the hands-on labs that follow.

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.

Who this course is for:

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+.

Building and Configuring Your Cybersecurity Attack Lab

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 1min

VirtualBox Fundamentals6 lectures • 24min

Deploying Core Lab Systems6 lectures • 1hr 6min

Server & Domain Controller Setup2 lectures • 21min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: