Free ways to learn about IT, security and hacking online

There are many ways to begin your career in the cybersecurity field, from free courses to learning on the job -- but you should understand something of the systems, networks and core computing processes involved.

A great place to start is Coursera, a Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) provider of free programs to give you a grounding in IT.

Via: Coursera

Udemy is another MOOC which caters for over 10 million learners. You can take up both free and paid courses -- with constant sales available -- ranging from the basics of IT security to Java, encryption and networking.

Via: Udemy

Hack This Site is a free and legal way for you to practice your burgeoning hacking skills. The website acts as a training ground for you to try out different cracking techniques through war games and projects, and has an active community of both experts and learners.

Via: Hack This Site

The Hacker Academy, ran by Symantec, is the option for those graduating from free courses to make some professional connections.

While not free at $49 a month, this is worth a mention as the online service includes hands-on tutorials, access to instructors and learning fits around your schedule.

Via: Hacker Academy

Cybrary is a relatively new entry into the cybersecurity education market. Launching in 2015, the website supports a community of people to keep up-to-date in the field, free lessons and learning materials, and the opportunity to connect to businesses in the industry.

Via: Cybrary

Google's YouTube is also a valuable resource for learning cybersecurity skills. There are many free tutorials, how-to's and guides on offer by a range of contributors, teaching you everything from how encryption protocols work to full ethical hacking courses.

Via: YouTube: Ethical Hacking