network security lab
cybersecurity projects & penetration testing
comprehensive cybersecurity coursework including vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and network security implementations through hands-on laboratory exercises.
course overview
cs 3710: introduction to cybersecurity
comprehensive cybersecurity principles course featuring hands-on laboratories with industry-standard tools including nmap, wireshark, metasploit, snort, and gnupg. culminated in a ctf-style exam testing real-world defense and attack skills.
learning objectives
- •understanding common attack vectors and defense mechanisms
- •hands-on experience with cybersecurity tools and techniques
- •network traffic analysis and intrusion detection
- •ethical hacking and responsible disclosure practices
laboratory exercises
network reconnaissance & scanning
comprehensive network discovery and enumeration using professional penetration testing tools.
tools & techniques:
- • nmap port scanning and service detection
- • network topology mapping
- • operating system fingerprinting
- • vulnerability scanning with nessus
learning outcomes:
- • understanding network protocols and services
- • identifying potential attack surfaces
- • documenting security findings
- • ethical reconnaissance methodologies
password security & cryptanalysis
analysis of password security mechanisms and implementation of cryptographic attacks.
tools & techniques:
- • john the ripper password cracking
- • hashcat gpu-accelerated attacks
- • rainbow table generation and usage
- • dictionary and brute force attacks
learning outcomes:
- • understanding password storage mechanisms
- • cryptographic hash function analysis
- • password policy development
- • multi-factor authentication implementation
vulnerability exploitation
controlled exploitation of common vulnerabilities in secure laboratory environments.
tools & techniques:
- • metasploit exploitation framework
- • buffer overflow demonstrations
- • sql injection attacks
- • cross-site scripting (xss) exploitation
learning outcomes:
- • understanding common vulnerability types
- • secure coding practices
- • patch management importance
- • defense-in-depth strategies
network traffic analysis
comprehensive packet analysis and intrusion detection using industry-standard tools.
tools & techniques:
- • wireshark packet capture and analysis
- • snort intrusion detection rules
- • network forensics investigations
- • malware traffic identification
learning outcomes:
- • network protocol deep understanding
- • anomaly detection techniques
- • incident response procedures
- • digital evidence preservation
firewall configuration & bypass
implementation and testing of network security controls and evasion techniques.
tools & techniques:
- • iptables firewall rule configuration
- • proxy chains and tunneling
- • port knocking implementations
- • traffic obfuscation methods
learning outcomes:
- • network security architecture design
- • access control implementation
- • security policy enforcement
- • evasion technique detection
technical environment
laboratory platform
- • virginia cyber range
- • isolated virtual networks
- • controlled environments
- • realistic attack scenarios
operating systems
- • kali linux penetration testing
- • ubuntu server configurations
- • windows server environments
- • embedded device security
security tools
- • professional pentesting suite
- • network analysis tools
- • vulnerability scanners
- • forensics applications
ethical considerations
all cybersecurity activities were conducted within controlled laboratory environments with proper authorization and oversight. emphasis was placed on ethical hacking principles, responsible disclosure, and legal compliance throughout the coursework.
capture the flag final exam
exam format & objectives
the course culminated in a comprehensive capture the flag (ctf) style examination that tested practical application of cybersecurity knowledge in realistic attack and defense scenarios.
challenge categories:
- •web application security: identifying and exploiting web vulnerabilities
- •network forensics: analyzing packet captures for malicious activity
- •cryptography: breaking weak encryption and hash functions
- •reverse engineering: analyzing malware and binary exploitation
skills demonstrated:
- •rapid vulnerability identification and exploitation
- •digital forensics and incident response
- •critical thinking under time pressure
- •comprehensive security assessment
skills & knowledge gained
core competencies developed
comprehensive hands-on cybersecurity training that provided practical experience with industry-standard tools and methodologies while emphasizing ethical practices and legal compliance in security research.