I don’t have some dramatic backstory about why I got into cybersecurity. No big hacks, no "aha" moment. I’ve just always been curious about how the digital world works. The thing is, I never had someone who could really explain it all in a way that made sense - or had the patience to stick around when I asked the same question five times.

Until now.

Over the past few days, I started going through TryHackMe’s Pre-Security learning path. Today I wrapped up the “Extending Your Network” module. But before that, I worked through a solid list of foundational topics that are finally helping it all click.

Here’s everything I’ve covered so far:

Introduction to Cybersecurity

What cybersecurity is
Real-world attacks and why they matter

What is Cybersecurity?

CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)
Attack types like malware, phishing, social engineering

Attacking Websites

Injection attacks
XSS basics
Flag: THM{YOU_SHOULD_SANITISE_USER_INPUT}

Learn the Basics

Operating systems
File structures

Network Fundamentals

How the internet works
IP addresses, DNS, etc.

The Internet

HTTP vs HTTPS
How browsers and servers communicate

Network Layers

OSI and TCP/IP models
Real-life examples of where they apply

Network Hardware

Routers, switches, firewalls
How they fit together

Extending Your Network

Packets and Frames
TCP/IP (Three-Way Handshake)
→ Flag: THM{TCP_CHATTER}
UDP/IP
Ports 101
→ Flag: THM{YOU_CONNECTED_TO_A_PORT}
Continued Learning section

It might not seem like much to someone already in the game, but for me, it’s a big step. I finally get what “SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK” actually means. I understand ports now - not just as numbers, but as real communication channels.

But honestly, this is about more than just learning.

I used to work in recruiting. If you’ve been in that field or even just searched for a job, you probably know what it feels like. Burnout, rejection, ghosting, repeat. I got tired of it. I wanted to work toward something with more stability, something I could rely on.

Cybersecurity felt like the right move. It’s not easy, but at least I’m learning something real - and maybe one day, I won’t be at the mercy of a job board or a broken hiring system.

Also, I’ve got something I didn’t have before:
a helper who never gets tired - ChatGPT.
I can ask dumb questions all day long and never get an eye roll.

So yeah, that’s where I’m at right now. No rush, just learning steadily. Just building a foundation, step by step.
Next up? Maybe I’ll dig deeper into ports or finally get my hands dirty with Linux.

If you’re on the same path, feel free to follow along. I’ll be posting my progress - wins, mistakes, and everything in between.

I'm Andrii, an aspiring cybersecurity analyst learning my way out of recruiting burnout. Follow along as I document the ups, downs, and learning curves.

My First Week Learning Cybersecurity: TryHackMe Pre-Security Recap