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Passed the Hackviser CAPT Certification – My Module-by-Module Experience 🎯


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by prateek pulastya

I recently completed the Hackviser Certified Associate Penetration Tester (CAPT) certification, and I wanted to share my breakdown for anyone considering it. This course is currently free (for a limited time) and is perfect for beginners and intermediates who want hands-on experience with penetration testing.

Module Highlights

🟢 1. Introduction

  • Ethical hacking mindset
  • Attacker vs defender framework
  • Role of a penetration tester
  • Scope of pentesting in security
  • Sets learning objectives clearly

👉 Takeaway: Strong ethical grounding from the start.

💻 2. Operating Systems Fundamentals

  • Linux basics: shell, file system
  • Windows command line & admin tasks
  • System navigation for pentesting
  • Dual-environment familiarity
  • CLI practice across platforms

👉 Takeaway: Comfort with OS = confidence in attacks.

🔐 3. Cryptology Fundamentals

  • Encoding vs hashing vs encryption
  • Weak crypto implementations
  • Cipher cracking labs
  • Secure communication basics
  • Hands-on crypto analysis

👉 Takeaway: Cryptography is central to both attack and defense.

🌐 4. Network Security & Pentesting

  • Nmap scanning basics
  • Metasploit introduction
  • Reconnaissance & footprinting
  • Mapping vulnerabilities
  • Simulated network exploitation

👉 Takeaway: Recon is everything—maps the path forward.

🌍 5. Web Application Security

  • SQL Injection, XSS, Command Injection
  • File Inclusion vulnerabilities
  • 33 modules of web exploit labs
  • Attacker mindset in web apps
  • Defender strategies (patches/mitigation)

👉 Takeaway: Web is the frontline—must-know for pentesters.

🧑‍💻 6. Privilege Escalation

  • Linux escalation techniques
  • Windows escalation methods
  • Misconfiguration exploitation
  • Horizontal vs vertical escalation
  • Practical lab chaining

👉 Takeaway: Access ≠ control—escalation matters.

🔎 7. OSINT

  • Public data reconnaissance
  • Tools for footprinting
  • Transform OSINT into exploit paths.
  • Strategic vulnerability hunting
  • Real-world recon scenarios

👉 Takeaway: Most hacks start with Google.

🎭 8. Social Engineering

  • Phishing campaign basics
  • Psychological exploitation
  • Human factor in pentests
  • Safe simulations
  • One-module focus

👉 Takeaway: Humans are the weakest link.

🧩 9. Real-World Scenarios

  • Full pentest workflow
  • Network + web + OS skills combined
  • Simulated attack chains
  • Reporting & documentation
  • Confidence-building final labs

👉 Takeaway: Practice ties theory into readiness.

Why You Should Take This

  • Beginner-to-intermediate friendly
  • Fully hands-on, no fluff
  • A certificate adds credibility.
  • Builds fundamental skills employers value
  • Free right now


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by prateek pulastya