Hi,

I am sorry if the post is in the wrong section but couldn't figure out where to put it. I am kinda stuck as to how do i plan my learning. I have joined hackingdojo level 1, its going good but a bit slow. I asked The trainer (Thomas) for some guidance. He recommended me to do some project with some open source projects out there. To build up my basic knowledge I have compiled a list of books to read.

Currently I am reading
A Practical Guide To Linux Commands, Editors, And Shell Programming

I plan to read the following books :-

01) Operating System Concepts

02) Counter Hack Reloaded 2nd Edition

03) Programming Grounds Up

04) Computer Organization and Design, 3rd ed, 2005 - Patterson & Hennessy

05) TCP IP Illustrated Volume 1 - Richard Stevens

06) Malware - Fighting Malicious Code (2003)

07) NMAP - Network Scanning - Fyodor

08) Professional Penetration Testing Creating And Operating A
Formal Hacking

09) Wiley - Reversing-Secrets of Reverse Engineering [2005]

10) Reverse Engineering Code with IDA Pro

11) Linux Kernel Development 3rd Edition

12) Honeypots For Windows (2005)

13) Internet Denial Of Service - Attack And Defense Mechanisms (2004)

14) A Buffer Overflow Study - Attacks and Defenses (2002)

15) Hacking - The Art of Exploitation 2ND Ed

16) Gray Hat Hacking: The Ethical Hacker's Handbook

17) Lenas Reverse Engg Tuts (video series)

 As per my research, each are excellent books in there domains ( I maybe wrong). Now. I don't know if I am doing it right.

Should I include something in this?
Should I change the order of reading?

I wanted to target nmap for Google Summer of Code. But then, I am not sure if its too far fetched idea! What all open source projects can I target and study accordingly for Summer of Code or Otherwise!

I have 6 months free, so I can dedicate my time for it.

Thanks for your valuable input.

Looking over your list...

I'd get the following:

Hacking for Dummies. Don't let the name fool you. Broad overview of the things hackers can do.

Security+ Get Certified Get a Head. It also covers a lot of stuff, but gives you an idea of what best practices should be too.

Dive into Python or Dive into Python3.

Grey Hat python

and a book on wireshark. Wireshark Network Analysis maybe.

I'd put the books in this order:
Operating System Concepts
Hacking for Dummies
Security+ Get Certified Get a Head
(read python at the same time as the above 3 books)
Professional Penetration Testing Creating And Operating A Formal Hacking Lab (at least the part on setting up the lab).
counter hack reloaded

I'm actually reading Learning Perl, Counter Hack Reloaded, Professional Pentesting, and Hacking Exposed: Wireless, right now at the same time. Read 1 chapter, switch books. getting about a chapter to a chapter and a half a day. (Reading them like I was back in college).

Edit:
Oh sorry, miss understood what you meant, I thought you meant to change tracks from one spot to another.

You're list above is a decent road map to get you to the pentester. You'll need some hands on. Which the books I recommended will help you on.

I left the original post below, because while not relevant to this I thought still had good info in it.

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Why backtrace? Why not just dive into all of it?

http://www.sans.org/cyber-guardian/

You'll notice the core skills, and then the specialized skills.

I'm a blue (defensive) person myself, but if you look at my certs at the bottom, you'll notice that one of them is a red (offensive) cert.

Learn both. Your bigger problem is to focus. Get your math up. Degrees help get you past the gate keepers.