Python and Hacking Made Simple (Project Syntax) (Z-Library)

Python Made Simple   Full Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Python           Project Syntax

Table of Contents (Python)   Legal notice About this eBook Who this ebook is For About Project Syntax Feedback and Questions Chapter 1: Introduction to Python Why Python? Installing Python Installation directory and exercise files The Python shell Install a text editor Chapter 2: Hello World and the Basics of Python Interactive Programming Mode Script Programming Mode Python Identifiers Reserved Words Lines and indentation Comments in Python Quotation in Python Blank Lines Chapter 3: Variables and Basic Operators in Python Types of Variables in Python Basic Operators Operators Precedence in Python Chapter 4: Working with Strings and Numbers

Strings in Python Numbers in Python Chapter 5: Lists and Tuples and Dictionary Python Lists and Tuples Python Dictionaries Chapter 6: Input, Output, and Import Capturing keyboard input using input() Printing to the screen using the print() function Python Import Chapter 7: Decision Making and Looping Decision making in Python Loops in Python Chapter 8: Functions and function arguments Defining a function in Python Calling a function Function arguments Chapter 9: File Operations Opening a file Reading from a file Writing to a file Closing a file Python file methods Chapter 10: Conclusion and Further Reading Further learning

Table of Contents (Hacking)   Legal notice About this book Chapter 1 | A Hacker’s Introduction to Ethical Hacking Types of Hackers Why become an ethical hacker? Setting up a virtual lab Chapter 2 | Reconnaissance Stages of Reconnaissance 1. Passive Reconnaissance of a Target with Netcraft 2. Using Maltego for Network Reconnaissance Chapter 3 | Scanning Purpose of the scanning process Network scanning with Nmap Using the Nmap Scripting Engine to scan for vulnerabilities Scanning for vulnerabilities with Nessus Chapter 4 | Gaining Access Developing an attack strategy Exploiting a vulnerable web server using Psexec in Metasploit SQL injection exploit guide with Google Dork and Havij Pro Understanding SQL injection Introducing Google Dork Cracking passwords using John the Ripper Chapter 5 | Maintaining Access Why maintaining access to systems you have already hacked Top 5 Kali Linux tools to use to maintain access

1. PowerSploit 2. Sbd 3. Webshells 4. DNS2TCP 5. Weevely Summary of post-exploitation access Chapter 6 | Covering your Tracks Ways to cover your tracks after a hack a) Anti-incident response b) Anti-forensics actions Clearing your tracks by deleting event logs Covering your tracks over a network Chapter 7 | Getting started with real-world hacking (300)

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About this eBook Do you feel that the world we live in has been so engulfed in artificial technology that it is getting to a point you can barely relate? Do you ever wish you were a part of those that actually contribute to the development of these technologies but they seems so complicated that you would not know where to start? Well, congratulations on finding a starting point if you are a newbie to programing. There is no better way to start being a part of the solution (as opposed to being part of the ignorant masses) than by picking up this book and starting to learn to become a programmer. At Project Syntax, we are on a mission to equip everyone with the ability to write in computer language to make the machines solve our problems with less difficulty. This Python guide adopts a learn-first, then-understand approach to show you the incredible power of Python. The best way to learn is to: 1. Follow the guide step-by-step in its original chapter order. You will carry out programming exercises to see how the code works, then you will learn why we type the code the way it is. 2. You must pay attention to detail in every exercise. What sets a good programmer apart from a lousy one is how attentive they are to every character, space, and symbol in the code. 3. Make the code run and write your own code based on each example. Use the pointers provided to create your own Python scripts or go online to such sites as StackOverflow or CodeFights to practice and expand on what you have learned.

Rinse and repeat for the next exercise. Remember, the key to progressive learning is consistency and persistence. This eBook imparts all the essential skills and knowledge that a beginner programmer must master to become a proficient programmer. If you follow its instructions to the latter and still you get errors or get the results you are not expecting, go back to the beginning of the exercise and study your code in detail, not just throw in the towel. You must have an eye for detail to be able to detect the tiniest bugs in your code.

Who this ebook is For The Full Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Python trains you by demonstrating what is happening and explaining it so you are able to replicate it in another exercise, rather than just telling you how to do something. If you have the desire to be the best Python programmer you can be, this book is for you. If you have already learned to write computer programs in other languages – be it a simple language like HTML5 or a more complex high-level language like C# – then this book is for you. This book teaches the concepts and syntax of the Python programming language and requires that each exercise be typed in a text editor manually. We strive to simplify the learning process for those who buy our book, and as such, we also offer practice files for all the exercises in the .py format to help you compare what you do with what to expect. If you have basic computer skills, some time to study (preferably one to two hours a day), and a good internet connection, then you have all it takes to make the most of this eBook. This is a stepping stone to a future where you get to choose the path that involves using the skills you learn now to instruct a computer how to solve your problems.

About Project Syntax The future of humanity is defined by the code we write now. That is what we at Project Syntax believe. Our organization was founded on the desire to produce high quality yet simply illustrated and concise learning materials that will help beginners enter into the world of programming by ‘learning through attempting first’. The Full Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Python eBook is one of the materials that our dedicated team of experienced researchers and programmers have created to train complete beginners like you on the art of writing code. Whether you are a complete newbie to programming or have experience writing code in some other language and wish to learn Python to expand it, you have chosen the right book. We believe that most learning instructions on the internet and in published books do not use the right approach, which is to show the learner how to do it first, and after they grasp the how, explain the why. Project Syntax is passionate about teaching the public to write code. We believe that in time, everyone will be able to contribute towards the future of humanity by learning to write computer programs. Besides the Full Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Python, we also have another eBook title “Full Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Hacking” in the pipeline.

Feedback and Questions We always welcome all forms of feedback from our readers – compliments, complaints, corrections, and questions – regarding the content of our eBooks. We would like to know what you think about this book, what you like and what you do not, as well as what you found useful and what you did not. Your feedback is important because it helps us create titles that will best help you and others learn the coding and hacking skills they seek fast and with less difficulty. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have something to say.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Python Python is a high level programming language. A programming language is how a computer programmer can issue instructions for the computer to follow when solving a problem. Python was named after the Monty Python Flying Circus comedy group that was popular in the UK between 1969 and 1974. There are tens if not hundreds of programming languages in use today, and they all are different in many ways. Python has grown to be one of the most popular for many reasons. Top among them is that it is a very powerful language that powers the algorithms of some of the biggest global companies such as Google and Yahoo, and top global websites including Reddit. Despite this, Python is a language that is very easy to learn. Learning to become a programmer is not as hard as it used to be; in fact, you will find it fun and very engaging. The best part about learning to write computer programs with the Python language is that compared to other object-oriented programming languages in use today such as C, C++, C#, and Java, Python was designed not just for the end result, but also to make the process of writing code an adventure on its own. There are 20 core principles that influenced the design and creation of the Python Programming Language, dubbed the Zen of Python, 19 of which are written down. Here are the first 10 principles of Python to help you appreciate why the language was made the way it is: 1. Beautiful is better than ugly. 2. Explicit is better than implicit. 3. Simple is better than complex. 4. Complex is better than complicated. 5. Flat is better than nested.

6. Sparse is better than dense. 7. Readability counts. 8. Special cases are not special enough to break the rules. 9. Practicality beats purity. 10. Errors should never pass silently. While this eBook will not magically transform you into a a badass programmer ready to make the big bucks, it is an excellent stepping stone whether you want to pursue computer programming to expand your career, to start a new one, or just to know how to build your own programs. Considering that ‘fun’ is a great motivator, every effort has been taken to make the process of learning using this book engaging and enjoyable for all users -- from first-time programmers to seasoned developers looking to add Python to their belt of programming languages they have mastered. As you join the hundreds of thousands of other learners striving to master Python, the best word of advice I can leave you with is this one great quote:  “In many ways, (Python) is a dull language, borrowing solid old concepts and styles from many other languages: boring syntax, unsurprising semantics, few automatic coercions, etc. But that's one of the things I like about Python.” - Tim Peters

Why Python? If you did your research well before choosing to buy this eBook, you probably discovered that Python is by far the most studied and the most widely used high-level programming language today. This is not just because it emphasizes on code readability and simple syntax, or because it requires fewer lines of code to create a program compared to other languages; here are the top seven reasons why you should see your decision to take on Python programming studies to the end: 1 Python opens up endless opportunities for programmers Python developers are making a killing freelancing and taking up permanent jobs because the language is very popular among companies and organizations. Once you get comfortable with coding sing Python, you will be in a good position to consider job opportunities and even gigs that pay you to apply the concepts you learn in this book. 2. Python is a preferred language for web development The number of websites on the World Wide Web is approaching the 1 billion mark and one facet of this evolution is the growing scope of Python in web development. Python brings a lot of flexibility and an array of ready-to-use framework (such as django, Zope2, Pylons, Grok, and web.py) that are revolutionizing how the front and back end of websites are built. Learning to create websites in Python is the best way to position yourself on the right side of history. 3. Learning computational thinking with Python is easy Python is a high-level programming language that reads like regular English. Because of this, many English-speaking learners find it very easy to understand its syntax and how to use the various components of the language with minimal complexity. If you are a beginner, you will be surprised how easy it is to tell the computer what to do in Python and to think in ways that helps you conceptualize computer code.

4. Python has a rich and vibrant online community As you enter the world of programming, you will discover soon enough how important the developer community is to the language and to its learners. The Python community is the 5th largest on StackOverflow community and the fourth most used language on Github. When you venture to the cyberspace to interact with other learners and with professionals, you will be taken aback by the huge number of people ready to help you learn by answering your questions and checking your code. 5. Python has one of the most mature package libraries Most programming, as you will discover soon, is repetitive. When you start writing code on a commercial scale, you will appreciate the fact that Python is backed by repositories such as PyPI with hundreds of thousands of free modules and scripts that you can grab and use in your code. These modules and scripts bring pre-packaged functionality to your Python environment to solve a myriad of problems that you would otherwise have to deal with one- by-one. With Python, there is no need to re-invent the wheel. 6. Python is cross-platform and open source Python has been around for over 20 years and throughout that period, it has been developed as a cross-platform and open source software that runs on Linux, Windows, and MacOS. Besides, the language is backed by over 2 decades of kink-straightening and bug-squashing which has turned it into a power house that makes your code run like you intended it on whichever platform. 7. Learning Python is the ideal stepping stone to other languages There aren’t many languages today that offer the simplicity and versatility of Python, but different people choose their languages of specialty for their own reasons. Even if you intend to specialize in some other high-level programming language e.g. C#, C++, or Java, Python is a great language to learn first before diversifying into another language.

Installing Python In order to begin writing Python scripts and execute them on your computer, you must first set up the right software on your computer. Nothing is complicated at this stage, just as long as you follow the right steps. If you already know how your computer works, how to navigate around the computer storage structure, download software and files, and install programs, this should be a straightforward process. If you already have Python 3 installed on your computer, you can skip this section and proceed at the next section, The Python shell. Download the right software You can download the official Python programming tools from python.org. On your computer browser, go to http://www.python.org/download/and get the latest version of Python (it should be version 3). Before you can begin the installation, take some time to read the resources on https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide and make sure that you know the operating system (and version) of your computer and whether it is a 32-bit or a 64-bit. This is important to ensure that you download the right software.

The python.org/downloads/ download page. At the time of writing this book, the newest version of Python is Python 3.6.1. If you are unsure which version to download, click on the name of your operating system to access more options. Windows installation Installation is pretty straightforward on a Windows 10 or 7 computer. Simply download the right version of Python and open the installation wizard when the download is complete. When the installation is complete, make sure that you check the “Add Python 3.6 to PATH” option in the last step of setup. If the installation went well, you can launch Python from the Windows Start menu. The Python Integrated Development Environment (IDLE) shortcut is placed here: Start ➤ Programs ➤ Python2 ➤ IDLE (Python GUI).

Linux and UNIX For Linux and most Unix-based systems such as Mac OSX, the Python interpreter comes pre-loaded with the operating system. However, yours is most likely an older version of Python (version 2) which we will not be using in this guide. To find out the version of the Python Interpreter on your system, enter the following command on the terminal: $ python   This command should initiate the interactive Python interpreter, which will display the version and other details. To find out if Python 3 is installed, enter the command: $ python3   You will probably get an error “bash: python: command not found” if version 3 of the Python interpreter is not installed in your computer. This means you will have to download and install it yourself but remember to check the “Add Python 3.6 to PATH” option in the last step of setup when the installation is complete. Use the package manager if you are on a Debian-based Linux. If you have a Mac, open the terminal application and enter the “python” command to start it. If the older version 2.x is installed, do not tamper with it because it used by the operating system in different ways. Instead, you can download the newest version from python.org/downloads/ or use Fink (http://finkproject.org) or MacPorts (http://macports.org) distribution tools.

Installation directory and exercise files Note the installation folder of your Python interpreter because we are going to refer to that directory a lot in this course. This eBook comes with a set of python script files (.py files) bundled with the book; you should extract the folder in Python’s installation folder to make it easily accessible from the command line. If you are a windows user, the path to the exercises directory should resemble this: C:\Python36-21\ExFiles\ You should also make it a habit to save your .py script files in this or similar location for easier access and execution.