Getting Started with TryHackMe: What My First Month Taught Me
From zero to completing the Pre-Security path
Before TryHackMe I had zero hands-on security experience. I knew the word “cybersecurity” and I knew I wanted to work in it — but I had no idea where to start. A lot of people told me to just jump into Kali Linux or start reading textbooks. TryHackMe was the better answer.
What the Pre-Security Path Covers
The Pre-Security learning path is built for people who are brand new. It does not assume you know networking, Linux, or how the web works. It teaches you:
- Networking fundamentals — how IP addresses work, what protocols like TCP/IP and DNS actually do, how data moves across the internet
- How the web works — HTTP requests, how browsers talk to servers, what DNS does behind the scenes
- Linux basics — navigating the file system, running commands, understanding permissions
- Basic security concepts — what threats and vulnerabilities are, how risk is measured
What Surprised Me
I expected it to be mostly reading. It is not. Almost every room has a browser-based virtual machine where you practice what you just learned. You are not just watching videos — you are running commands, reading output, and figuring things out.
The hardest part for me was networking. Understanding subnets and how routing works took me a while to click. I went back and re-did those rooms a couple of times before it made sense.
Where I Am Now
I completed the Pre-Security path and I am now working through Cybersecurity 101. The rooms are harder but more interesting. I am learning about actual attack techniques and how defenders detect them.
If you are starting from zero and want to get into cybersecurity, TryHackMe is the best place I have found. It is structured, hands-on, and free to start.
