Fully-updated for Python 3, the second edition of this worldwide bestseller (over 100,000 copies sold) explores the stealthier side of programming and brings you all new strategies for your hacking projects.

When it comes to creating powerful and effective hacking tools, Python is the language of choice for most security analysts. In this second edition of the bestselling Black Hat Python, you’ll explore the darker side of Python’s capabilities: everything from writing network sniffers, stealing email credentials, and bruteforcing directories to crafting mutation fuzzers, investigating virtual machines, and creating stealthy trojans.

All of the code in this edition has been updated to Python 3.x. You’ll also find new coverage of bit shifting, code hygiene, and offensive forensics with the Volatility Framework as well as expanded explanations of the Python libraries ctypes, struct, lxml, and BeautifulSoup, and offensive hacking strategies like splitting bytes, leveraging computer vision libraries, and scraping websites.

Table of Contents

1. Setting Up Your Python Environment
2. Basic Networking Tools
3. Writing a Sniffer
4. Owning the Network with Scapy
5. Web Hackery
6. Extending Burp Proxy
7. GitHub Command and Control
8. Common Trojaning Tasks on Windows
9. Fun with Exfiltration
10. Windows Privilege Escalation
11. Offensive Forensics

Review

“Black Hat Python is a fun read written by experts with years of experience who are willing to share the secrets they have learned along the way. While It might not immediately turn you into a super stunt hacker like me, it will certainly get you started down the correct path.” (from the foreword)

—Charlie Miller, Security Researcher

"This book breaks down how to create powerful tools using Python like network sniffers or keyloggers. This book even goes over how to escalate privileges in Windows."

—Davin Jackson, Alpha Cyber Security, Books to Start Your Penetration Testing Journey

"An essential resource for anyone involved in offensive security or looking to improve their Python programming skills. Its comprehensive coverage, practical examples, and step-by-step instructions make it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to become a skilled hacker or penetration tester."

—InfoSecNoobs.com

Praise for the first edition of Black Hat Python

"Another incredible Python book. With a minor tweak or two many of these programs will have at least a ten year shelf life, and that is rare for a security book."

—Stephen Northcutt, founding president of the SANS Technology Institute

"A great book using Python for offensive security purposes."

—Andrew Case, Volatility core developer and coauthor of The Art of Memory Forensics

"If you truly have a hacker’s mindset, a spark is all you need to make it your own and do something even more amazing. Justin Seitz offers plenty of sparks."

—Ethical Hacker

"Whether you're interested in becoming a serious hacker/penetration tester or just want to know how they work, this book is one you need to read. Intense, technically sound, and eye-opening."

—Sandra Henry-Stocker, IT World

"Definitely a recommended read for the technical security professional with some basic previous exposure to Python."

—Richard Austin, IEEE Cipher

"A well-written book that will put you on track to being able to write powerful and potentially scary tools. It’s up to you to use them for good."

—Steve Mansfield-Devine, editor of Elsevier's Network Security Newsletter

"A well implemented read with lots of good ideas for fun offensive Python projects. So enjoy, and don't forget it's all about the code!"

—Dan Borges, LockBoxx

"A useful eye-opener."

—MagPi Magazine

"If you work as a computer security professional and want to code in Python, this is definitely a book that belongs on your bookshelf."

—Craig Mullins, Data and Technology Today

About the Author

Justin Seitz is the president and co-founder of Dark River Systems Inc., where he spends his time shipping Hunchly (https://www.hunch.ly), consulting for hedge funds and doing OSINT research. He is the author of Gray Hat Python (No Starch Press), the first book to cover Python for security analysis.

Tim Arnold has worked as a professional Python software developer at the SAS Institute for more than 20 years. He contributes to several open source software projects and volunteers as a hacking trainer in his local community.