Hack The Box (HTB) is an online cybersecurity platform designed for individuals and organizations to develop and enhance their hacking, penetration testing, and defensive security skills through hands-on, gamified challenges. The platform offers a wide range of virtual machines, known as “boxes,” which simulate real-world systems and vulnerabilities, allowing users to practice ethical hacking techniques in a legal and controlled environment.
HTB features multiple modes, including:
• Machines: Virtual environments with varying levels of difficulty and different operating systems, each containing specific vulnerabilities to exploit.
• Challenges: Bite-sized, application-focused tasks that target particular penetration testing techniques.
• Sherlocks: Defensive, investigation-based scenarios for practicing incident response and forensic skills.
• Prolabs: Complex, multi-machine environments that simulate corporate networks for more advanced real-world experience.
The platform is community-driven, with new challenges released regularly and opportunities for users to compete and share knowledge. It is widely recognized as a leading resource for aspiring and experienced cybersecurity professionals, offering pathways for upskilling, certification, and talent assessment. HTB also supports organizations by providing training, team performance tracking, and tools to identify and address security vulnerabilities.