Your Cyber Security Student Toolkit
Undergraduate • Windows
Networking, security labs, forensics and programming tools for cyber security students.
Who this toolkit is for
For cyber security students. Everything here is for education, authorised labs and defensive security. You don't need Kali Linux as your main operating system: running it in a virtual machine is common for practicals.
Choose any modules to see the tools for them. Without a module, module tools appear under Specialist / Optional.
Use security tools only in authorised labs and on systems you own or have permission to test. You don't need Kali Linux as your main operating system: many courses run it in a virtual machine for practicals.
Essential (5)
Core tools that are broadly useful.
Network Analysis
Security starts with understanding normal traffic. These tools let you see and map what is on a network in your lab.
WiresharkOpen Source
Why you may need this: Useful for learning how network traffic and protocols work and for analysing traffic in authorised lab environments.
Winget (verified)winget install --id WiresharkFoundation.Wireshark --exact --source winget
Linux / Virtualisation
Most security modules expect you to run Linux and several machines at once. Virtual machines make that possible on one computer and let you reset after every exercise.
VirtualBoxOpen Source
Why you may need this: Run a safe, isolated lab of virtual machines, such as Kali Linux, for practicals.
Winget (verified)winget install --id Oracle.VirtualBox --exact --source winget
Programming
Scripting turns repetitive tasks into tools. Python is the language most security courses use.
Research / Citation
Reports and dissertations need properly referenced sources; a reference manager saves hours.
ZoteroOpen SourceAlso on iPhone/iPad
Why you may need this: Organise research sources and generate citations for coursework and dissertations.
Visit Official Website
Office / Documents
Coursework, lab write-ups and reports.
LibreOfficeOpen Source
Why you may need this: A free office suite for essays, spreadsheets and presentations.
Winget (verified)winget install --id TheDocumentFoundation.LibreOffice --exact --source winget
Recommended (4)
Useful for particular parts of the work or course.
Network Analysis
Security starts with understanding normal traffic. These tools let you see and map what is on a network in your lab.
NmapOpen Source
Why you may need this: Learn network discovery on lab networks you're authorised to scan.
Winget (verified)winget install --id Insecure.Nmap --exact --source winget
Programming
Scripting turns repetitive tasks into tools. Python is the language most security courses use.
Why you may need this: Edit scripts and code for coursework.
Winget (verified)winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --exact --source winget
GitOpen Source
Why you may need this: Version your scripts and projects.
Winget (verified)winget install --id Git.Git --exact --source winget
Digital Forensics
Examine disk images to find out what happened on a system, as covered in forensics modules.
- Autopsy
Open Source
Why you may need this: Analyse disk images in forensics practicals.
For the Digital Forensics module
Visit Official Website
Specialist / Optional · Show specialist tools (1)
Consider these for particular modules, tasks or environments.
Digital Forensics
Examine disk images to find out what happened on a system, as covered in forensics modules.
- The Sleuth Kit
Open Source
Why you may need this: Command-line forensic tools.
For the Digital Forensics module
Visit Official Website
Notes for Cyber Security students
At college level, the focus is usually on understanding networks and safe computing practice, so packet analysis, virtualisation and a programming language are the priorities. At undergraduate level, modules typically add web application security, digital forensics and security monitoring, which is where the lab tools above come in. Postgraduate and professional-certification study often assumes you already run your own lab; the home lab guide on Aptorise walks through setting one up.
Platform matters more on this course than most. Many security tools are built for Linux first, so most students run Linux in a virtual machine whatever their main computer is. Windows and Intel Macs can run VirtualBox; on Apple Silicon Macs, virtual machines need Arm versions of operating systems, so check that the images your course uses are available for Arm. Some universities provide hosted lab environments, which avoids the problem entirely.
Every tool here is for learning on systems you own or are authorised to test. Scanning, capturing or attacking anything outside your own lab or a course-provided environment can break the law and university rules.
Course requirements vary. Software requirements differ between schools, colleges, universities and modules. Check your course materials before purchasing software.
Build your student setup
Build My Setup lets you add or remove apps, see why each is included and, where verified packages exist, get one install command. Nothing is installed automatically.