YouTube recommendations
My own source of information has really migrated from blogs to YouTube, I am not quite sure why that is – perhaps because I am more visually orientated and absorb information easier this way, perhaps because the visual media is more interesting and exciting or perhaps just because more information is available here now.
I recall a friend of mine, she told me years ago how she absolutely hated instructional videos, she much preferred a guide with pictures – maybe the truth is that we are all our own boss, and it’s up to you what you prefer.
Anyway, below is a list of the YouTube channels I follow.
I have created two lists, this which has focus on IT-security and there will soon be a sister-list with all the non-security related stuff.
If you know of any interesting channels that I should visit, do let me know – the YouTube algorithm seem to sometimes catch you in a loop.
IT-SECURITY (in random order)
John Hammond – Here you will find interesting videos where John analyze malware and what not, John is really well versed in analysis of malware – and it is interesting to see him take apart a piece of malware – he will show you how malware authors accomplish obfuscating malware code by clever use of base64 etc. Trust me, this is a must if you are curious on how malware get by the defenses.
https://www.youtube.com/@_JohnHammond
NetworkChuck – This guy is awesome, besides his huge IT interest and knowledge he also sell Coffee (and he does appear as is he is drinking too much of it at times), he speaks on a wide array of topics and do easy to follow tutorials – if you want to learn about various IT-technical technologies, you defenitely should check him out.
He has also been an instructor on CBT nuggets, and it is easy to see why – very knowledgable and charismatic (even if he at times seem to have been drinking too much of his own coffee).
https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkChuck
Computerphile – these guys touch on many things, they seem to have a liking for cryptography, but also touch on other IT-security related subjects – You will find introductions on how the Enigma machine worked and how complex it would be to crack even today….. The level is high, but the tutoring is great and everything is kept easy to understand, if you are interested you will be sure to learn something.
https://www.youtube.com/@Computerphile
SecurityNow – I have followed the SecurityNow podcast since it started about 8 years ago, in the beginning the shows was only audio and the episodes were a lot shorter, but as time has shown Security is a growing subject and consern. The shows are great and offer views on current events in security as well as general security subjects, the show has evolved a lot over the years and sadly Steve Gibson (the primary host) has said that he will be retiring the series after the 999 show – so the clock is ticking.. but if you want to brush up on current events, this is a show you should dig into – I still listen mainly to the audio podcast during my commute, but there is a video version available also these days.
https://www.youtube.com/user/TWiTSecurityNow
The PC Security Channel – this channel is also evolving, it has historically been reviews and comparisons of various antivirus products, but it seem that they are expanding on their coverage by adding other security related content now. What I like about this channels approach is that it is “no nonsense”, they throw a lot of malware at the products and see how they cope. There seem to have been a primary focus on SOHO/Home User versions, which to some degree makes sense – it is harder to test corporate products without a dedicated test lab.
Taylor Walton – So this is more hardcore IT-security related, this guy talks about various professional security products/issues. We are talking SIEM, SOC, MISP and the like. Good stuff.
DeviantOllam – so what is this guy about, well – he has a wide specter of stuff on his channel, mostly Red Teaming, Picking Locks, Tampering with Seals, Wine Tasting and much much more. I stumbled across his when reading up on locks and seals, interesting guy.
Naomi Brockwell – you will love to hate her.. No honnestly, her content is fine but it is a strange mix of basic security practices and sometimes you get a little deeper, but never quite there (yet still she attempt to teach Average Joe how to install pf-sense).. But still, do give her a spin.
NetSec – This guy give you introductions to various open-source solutions with a weight on security related stuff. Good and interesting content.
Raphael Mudge @DashnineMedia – this is hardcore RedTeaming stuff. Lots of nice stuff to see here.
Hak5 – If you have not been living under a rock then you will have heard about Hak5, they are the guys with the WiFi Pineapple, the lan turtle and other offensive IT-security stuff. HAK5 is a strange bunch, I recall in the VERY beginning they were a bunch of guys experimenting with burning laptops with termite, then moved on to hardcore IT-security stuff – inventing and promoting the WiFi Pineapple and then turning into … well not quite sure, today only David Kitchen appear to be hanging on from way back then, although Snubs has been there for quite a while also. Their hardware is still state of art, but the channel is a bit “out of focus”, it is sort of a news channel – kind of.. Anyhow, there is still a lot of great content, I just feel the quality is shifting. Do check it out..
ThioJoe – this guy could have been me in my youth (although I was obviously better looking *lol*), this guy is curious and make fine content – sometimes it’s not rocket science or “hard core”, even a bit beginner level at times – yet he does hit on interesting stuff from time to time, and even an old dog like me can sometimes learn new tricks.
David Bombal – this guy is new on my list, he seem quite skilled and touches on stuff like pentesting, wireshark, hacking etc etc. A channel worth a visit.
Jack Rhysider – so, I am not 100% sure – but this seem like a YouTube copy of the “DarkNet Diary Podcast”. This is REALLY interesting stuff, this guy talk about various IT-security related incidents, it’s usually accompanied by interviews with people that were there or participated. it’s like those crime shows on TV just with IT as the main focus. I would go with the podcasts and not the YouTube archive, you don’t really need the video and the stories are great for a long walk, drive or commute.
LockPickingLawyer – this guy IS the BEST lockpicker in the world, like it’s as easy as that – lockpicking is actually not really that interesting once you first understand the basics of it, yet having this guy pick apart even the hardest lock and explaining the design faults somehow is soothing.