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UpdatedJul 27, 2026

Cybersecurity-Projects β€” Updated!

Building 70 Projects ranging from beginner to advanced so anyone can β€” learn from, build upon, use as a reference, or even copy directly. Gamified Cybersecurity learning πŸ‘‡

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Cybersecurity Projects πŸ‰

70 Cybersecurity Projects, Certification Roadmaps & Resources

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Projects

Hands-on cybersecurity projects with full source code, organized in four tiers β€” Foundations (pre-beginner, first-time programmers), Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Certification Roadmaps

10 structured career paths with certification guides for SOC Analyst, Pentester, Security Engineer, and more.

Learning Resources

Tools, courses, certifications, communities, and frameworks for cybersecurity professionals.


Projects

Foundations Beginner Intermediate Advanced

[!TIP] Want to be walked through building these instead of reading finished source? CertGames has guided project courses that build real security tools from scratch, step by step, with the concepts explained as you go. Same projects, less getting stuck. FREE

Foundations Projects

[!NOTE] Start here if this is your first time coding. The Foundations tier is pre-beginner β€” built for someone who has never written Python, has barely used a terminal, and is new to cybersecurity. Source files are heavily commented as a teaching aid, and every learn/ folder explains concepts from zero. Once you're comfortable here, the Beginner projects assume you already know the language and move faster.

What makes Foundations different:

  • Single-file projects β€” the entire tool lives in one readable Python file. No file-hopping.
  • Heavy teaching comments β€” every line that introduces a new concept is annotated inline.
  • Numpy-style docstrings on every function β€” what it does, why it exists, every parameter.
  • Extra-deep learn/ folders β€” Python features and security concepts both explained from zero.
  • Senior-level code, beginner-level explanations β€” the code itself is still production-quality.
ProjectInfoWhat You'll Learn
Hash Identifier
Identify hash types by prefix, length, and charset
Step 1/3 2-4h Python FoundationsHash families (MD5, SHA, bcrypt, Argon2) β€’ PHC string format β€’ Pattern matching β€’ Pure-function design
Source Code | Docs
HTTP Headers Scanner
Audit a URL's response headers for missing or weak security controls
Step 2/3 3-5h Python FoundationsHTTP fundamentals β€’ Security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options) β€’ httpx requests β€’ Scored audits
Source Code | Docs
Password Manager
Encrypted local vault with master password unlock
Step 3/3 6-8h Python FoundationsArgon2id key derivation β€’ AES-GCM authenticated encryption β€’ Secure on-disk vaults β€’ Master-password workflows
Source Code | Docs

Beginner Projects

ProjectInfoWhat You'll Learn
Simple Port Scanner
Async TCP port scanner in C++ @deniskhud
2-4h C++ BeginnerTCP socket programming β€’ Async I/O patterns β€’ Service detection
Source Code | Docs
Keylogger
Capture keyboard events with timestamps
1-2h Python BeginnerEvent handling β€’ File I/O β€’ Ethical considerations
Source Code | Docs
Caesar Cipher
CLI encryption/decryption tool
1-2h Python BeginnerClassical cryptography β€’ Brute force attacks β€’ CLI design
Source Code | Docs
DNS Lookup CLI Tool
Query DNS records with WHOIS
2-3h Python BeginnerDNS protocols β€’ WHOIS queries β€’ Reverse DNS lookup
Source Code | Docs
Simple Vulnerability Scanner
Check software against CVE databases
3-4h Go BeginnerCVE databases β€’ Dependency scanning β€’ Vulnerability assessment
Source Code | Docs
Metadata Scrubber Tool
Remove EXIF and privacy metadata @Heritage-XioN
2-3h Python BeginnerEXIF data β€’ Privacy protection β€’ Batch processing
Source Code | Docs
Network Traffic Analyzer
Capture and analyze packets
3-5h Python C++ BeginnerPacket capture β€’ Protocol analysis β€’ Traffic visualization
Source (C++) | Docs (C++) | Source (Python) | Docs (Python)
Hash Cracker
Dictionary and brute-force cracking
3-4h C++ BeginnerHash algorithms β€’ Dictionary attacks β€’ Password security
Source Code | Docs
Steganography Multi-Tool
Hide data in images, audio, QR, PDFs, text
8-10h Go BeginnerMulti-format steganography β€’ Encrypted AEAD envelope β€’ Zero-width Unicode β€’ Audio LSB β€’ QR Reed-Solomon injection
Source Code | Docs
Ghost on the Wire
L2 attack & defense: MAC spoofing + ARP detection
2-3h Python BeginnerARP protocol β€’ MAC spoofing β€’ MITM detection β€’ L2 trust mapping
Learn More
Canary Token Generator
Self-hosted honeytokens that alert on access
2-3h Go React Docker BeginnerDeception defense β€’ Honeytokens β€’ MySQL wire protocol β€’ PDF/DOCX patching β€’ Webhook + Telegram alerting
Source Code | Docs
iglowinthedark.com
Phishing Domain Generator & Quishing Scanner
Typosquat generation + QR phishing detection
2-3h Python BeginnerHomoglyph attacks β€’ Typosquatting β€’ QR code analysis β€’ Domain intelligence
Learn More
SSH Brute Force Detector
Monitor and block SSH attacks
2-4h Python BeginnerLog parsing β€’ Attack detection β€’ Firewall automation
Learn More
Simple C2 Beacon
Command and Control beacon/server
3-5h Python React Docker BeginnerC2 architecture β€’ MITRE ATT&CK β€’ WebSocket protocol β€’ XOR encoding
Source Code | Docs
Base64 Encoder/Decoder
Multi-format encoding tool
1h Python BeginnerBase64/32 encoding β€’ URL encoding β€’ Auto-detection
Source Code | Docs
Linux CIS Hardening Auditor
CIS benchmark compliance checker
3-4h Bash BeginnerCIS benchmarks β€’ System hardening β€’ Compliance scoring β€’ Shell scripting
Source Code | Docs
Systemd Persistence Scanner
Hunt Linux persistence mechanisms
2-3h Go BeginnerPersistence techniques β€’ Systemd internals β€’ Cron analysis β€’ Threat hunting
Source Code | Docs
Linux eBPF Security Tracer
Real-time syscall tracing with eBPF
2-3h Python C BeginnereBPF programs β€’ Syscall tracing β€’ BCC framework β€’ Security observability
Source Code | Docs
Trojan Application Builder
Educational malware lifecycle demo
2-3h Python BeginnerTrojan anatomy β€’ Data exfiltration β€’ File encryption β€’ Attack lifecycle
Learn More
DNS Sinkhole
Pi-hole-style malware domain blocker
3-4h Go BeginnerDNS protocol β€’ Blocklist management β€’ Query logging β€’ Network defense
Learn More
Firewall Rule Engine
Parse and validate iptables/nftables rules
2-3h V BeginnerFirewall internals β€’ Rule parsing β€’ iptables/nftables β€’ V language
Source Code | Docs
LLM Prompt Injection Firewall
Detect and block prompt injection attacks
2-3h Python BeginnerAI security β€’ Prompt injection β€’ Input sanitization β€’ LLM defense
Learn More

Intermediate Projects

ProjectInfoWhat You'll Learn
Security News Scraper
Aggregate cybersecurity news
3-4h Go BeginnerWeb scraping β€’ CVE parsing β€’ Database storage
Source Code | Docs
Payload Obfuscation Engine
Multi-layer payload obfuscation toolkit
2-4d Go IntermediateObfuscation techniques β€’ Polymorphism β€’ AV evasion β€’ Signature detection
Learn More
SIEM Dashboard
Log aggregation with correlation
3-5d Flask React IntermediateSIEM concepts β€’ Log correlation β€’ Full-stack development
Source Code | Docs
siem.carterperez-dev.com
Token Abuse Playground
15+ token vulnerabilities to exploit and fix
3-5d FastAPI React IntermediateJWT exploitation β€’ OAuth attacks β€’ Session security β€’ Token forensics
Learn More
Supply Chain Attack Simulator
Fake PyPI package dependency confusion demo
2-4d Python IntermediateSupply chain attacks β€’ Dependency confusion β€’ Package security β€’ PyPI internals
Learn More
DDoS Mitigation Tool
Detect traffic spikes
2-4d Go IntermediateDDoS detection β€’ Rate limiting β€’ Anomaly detection
Learn More
Secrets Scanner
Scan codebases and git history for leaked secrets
1-2d Go IntermediateSecret detection β€’ Shannon entropy β€’ HIBP k-anonymity β€’ SARIF output
Source Code | Docs
API Security Scanner
Enterprise API vulnerability scanner
3-5d FastAPI React Docker IntermediateOWASP API Top 10 β€’ ML fuzzing β€’ GraphQL/SOAP testing
Source Code | Docs
Wireless Deauth Detector
Monitor WiFi deauth attacks
2-4d Rust IntermediateWireless security β€’ Packet sniffing β€’ Attack detection
Learn More
Credential Enumeration
Post-exploitation credential collection
2-4d Nim IntermediateCredential extraction β€’ Browser forensics β€’ Red team tooling β€’ Nim language
Source Code | Docs
Binary Analysis Tool
Disassemble and analyze executables
3-5d Rust IntermediateBinary analysis β€’ String extraction β€’ Malware detection
Source Code | Docs
https://elitenetwork4life.com/
Chaos Engineering Security Tool
Inject security failures to test resilience
3-5d Go IntermediateChaos engineering β€’ Security resilience β€’ Credential spraying β€’ Auth testing
Learn More
Credential Rotation Enforcer
Track and enforce credential rotation policies
2-4d Crystal IntermediateCredential hygiene β€’ Secret rotation β€’ Compliance dashboards β€’ API integration
Source Code | Docs
Race Condition Exploiter
TOCTOU race condition attack & defense lab
3-5d FastAPI React IntermediateTOCTOU attacks β€’ Double-spend bugs β€’ Concurrent exploitation β€’ Race visualization
Learn More
JA3/JA4 TLS Fingerprinting Tool
Fingerprint TLS clients by handshake
2-4d Rust IntermediateTLS handshake analysis β€’ JA3/JA4 hashing β€’ Bot detection β€’ Malware C2 identification
Source Code | Docs
mkultraalumni.com
Mobile App Security Analyzer
Decompile and analyze mobile apps
3-5d Python IntermediateAPK/IPA analysis β€’ Reverse engineering β€’ OWASP Mobile
Learn More
DLP Scanner
Data Loss Prevention for files, DBs, and traffic
2-4d Python IntermediatePII detection β€’ GDPR/HIPAA compliance β€’ Pattern matching β€’ Data classification
Source Code | Docs
Lua/Nginx Edge Backend
Full CRUD backend via Lua in Nginx
3-5d Lua Nginx IntermediateEdge computing β€’ OpenResty β€’ Lua scripting β€’ WAF β€’ JWT at the edge
Learn More
Privesc Playground
20+ privilege escalation paths to exploit
3-5d Python IntermediateSUID exploitation β€’ Sudo abuse β€’ Cron hijacking β€’ GTFOBins β€’ Capability abuse
Learn More
SBOM Generator & Vulnerability Matcher
Software Bill of Materials with CVE matching
2-4d Go IntermediateSPDX/CycloneDX formats β€’ Dependency analysis β€’ CVE databases β€’ EO 14028 compliance
Source Code | Docs
Subdomain Takeover Scanner
Detect dangling DNS records
2-4d Go IntermediateDNS enumeration β€’ CNAME analysis β€’ Cloud resource claiming β€’ Bug bounty
Learn More
GraphQL Security Tester
Automated GraphQL vulnerability testing
2-4d Python IntermediateIntrospection attacks β€’ Query depth DoS β€’ Authorization bypass β€’ Batching abuse
Learn More
Docker Security Audit
CIS Docker Benchmark scanner
1-2d Go Docker IntermediateCIS benchmarks β€’ Container security β€’ Multiple output formats
Source Code | Docs

Advanced Projects

ProjectInfoWhat You'll Learn
API Rate Limiter
Distributed rate limiting middleware
1w Python Redis AdvancedToken bucket algorithm β€’ Distributed systems β€’ Redis backend
Source Code | Docs
Encrypted Chat Application
Real-time E2EE messaging
1-2w FastAPI SolidJS PostgreSQL AdvancedSignal Protocol β€’ Double Ratchet β€’ WebAuthn β€’ WebSockets
Source Code | Docs
Exploit Development Framework
Modular exploitation framework
3-4w C++ AdvancedExploit development β€’ Payload generation β€’ Plugin architecture
Learn More
AI Threat Detection
ML-powered nginx threat detection
3-4w FastAPI React PyTorch AdvancedML ensemble (AE + RF + IF) β€’ ONNX inference β€’ Real-time detection
Source Code | Docs
Zingela Stateless Scanner
Line-rate stateless mass TCP/UDP port scanner
1-2w Zig AdvancedStateless SYN scanning β€’ SipHash cookies β€’ Cyclic-group permutation β€’ AF_PACKET / AF_XDP
Source Code | Docs
Bug Bounty Platform
Full vulnerability disclosure platform
2-3w FastAPI React PostgreSQL AdvancedFull-stack development β€’ CVSS scoring β€’ Workflow automation
Source Code | Docs
bugbounty.carterperez-dev.com
Cloud Security Compliance Dashboard
Multi-cloud compliance with CIS, SOC2, HIPAA
2-3w Go React AWS AdvancedCIS benchmarks β€’ SOC2/HIPAA compliance β€’ Cost-security optimization β€’ Drift detection
Learn More
Malware Analysis Platform
Automated sandbox analysis
2-3w Rust Docker AdvancedMalware analysis β€’ Sandboxing β€’ YARA rules β€’ IOC extraction
Learn More
Quantum Resistant Encryption
Post-quantum cryptography
3-4w Python AdvancedPost-quantum algorithms β€’ Hybrid encryption β€’ Kyber/Dilithium
Learn More
Zero Day Vulnerability Scanner
Coverage-guided fuzzing
2-3w Rust C AdvancedFuzzing β€’ Vulnerability research β€’ Crash triage
Learn More
Distributed Password Cracker
GPU-accelerated cracking
3-4w C++ CUDA AdvancedDistributed systems β€’ GPU computing β€’ Hash cracking
Learn More
Kernel Rootkit Detection
Detect kernel-level rootkits
2-3w Rust AdvancedKernel internals β€’ Memory forensics β€’ Rootkit detection
Learn More
Blockchain Smart Contract Auditor
Solidity vulnerability analysis
3-4w Python Solidity AdvancedSmart contracts β€’ Static analysis β€’ Solidity security
Learn More
Adversarial ML Attacker
Generate adversarial examples
3-4w Python TensorFlow AdvancedAdversarial ML β€’ FGSM/DeepFool β€’ Model robustness
Learn More
Reverse-Engineering
Reverse-engineering learning platform.
3-4w C AdvancedReverse Engineering β€’ Disassembly β€’ Dynamic & Static Analysis
Source Code | Docs
Hardware Security Module Emulator
Software HSM that compiles to a real PKCS#11 .so
2-3w Zig AdvancedPKCS#11/Cryptoki C ABI (machine-checked vs OASIS headers) β€’ AES-GCM/CBC β€’ RSA/ECDSA/ECDH β€’ Argon2id + encrypted-at-rest β€’ driven by pkcs11-tool
Source Code | Docs
Network Covert Channel
Data exfiltration techniques
3-4w Rust AdvancedCovert channels β€’ Data exfiltration β€’ Steganography
Learn More
Automated Penetration Testing
Full pentest automation
3-4w Python AdvancedPentest automation β€’ Recon to exploitation β€’ Report generation
Learn More
Haskell Reverse Proxy
Functional reverse proxy with security middleware
2-3w Haskell AdvancedFunctional programming β€’ Reverse proxy design β€’ Security middleware β€’ Haskell
Source Code
"Monitor the Situation" Dashboard
Real-time cyber threat situational awareness
3-4w Go React PostgreSQL AdvancedThreat intel feeds β€’ EPSS/KEV/CVE velocity β€’ BGP hijacks β€’ WebSocket fan-out β€’ 3D globe SOC view
Source Code | Docs
iminthewalls.com
Honeypot Network
Multi-service honeypot deployment & analysis
2-3w Go React Docker AdvancedHoneypot deployment β€’ Attacker behavior analysis β€’ IOC extraction β€’ MITRE mapping
Source Code | Docs
honeypot-network.carterperez-dev.com
Supply Chain Security Analyzer
Dependency vulnerability analysis
2-3w Go AdvancedSupply chain security β€’ Dependency analysis β€’ Malicious packages
Learn More

Learn More

Certification Roadmaps - Career paths for SOC Analyst, Pentester, Security Engineer, GRC Analyst, and 6 more tracks

Learning Resources - Tools, courses, certifications, YouTube channels, Reddit communities, and security frameworks

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