Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

💻 Thinking about becoming a penetration tester?

I just published a new blog where I share the 5 things I wish I knew before starting my career as a full-time pentester.

Here is the quick summary:

✔️ Real networks are much larger than labs and you will not cover everything

✔️ Client environments are more secure, so finding critical vulnerabilities is harder

✔️ Clients can push back on your findings, which makes communication and ethics essential

✔️ Pentesting is often more documentation than “Hollywood hacking”

✔️ Burnout is real, and balance is necessary to avoid it

This article is not meant to discourage you. Pentesting is the best job I have ever had. The goal of this post is to help you prepare for the parts of the job that training and certifications do not always show.

If you are considering a career in penetration testing, or if you are early in your journey, this will help you avoid some of the surprises:

👉 www.kyserclark.com/post/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-bef…

What do you think is the most misunderstood part of being a pentester?

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/TJKvmPoBYOs

4 days ago | [YT] | 7

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🚨 Running Kali Linux but your Alfa Wi-Fi adapter isn’t showing up as wlan0?

I just published a step-by-step guide to fix one of the most common (and frustrating) problems I see with wireless adapters in Kali: the dreaded adapter not detected issue.

This tutorial focuses on the Alfa AWUS1900 (Realtek RTL88xxAU / RTL8814AU driver), but it applies to many Realtek-based adapters. I walk you through:
✅ Connecting the adapter properly in VMware/VirtualBox
✅ Verifying with lsusb and iwconfig
✅ Installing the right drivers and kernel headers
✅ Troubleshooting kernel/header mismatches
✅ Making your fix permanent with GRUB

If you’re setting up a wireless adapter for Wi-Fi hacking labs or just learning the ropes in Kali, this post will save you hours of frustration.

🔗 Read it here: www.kyserclark.com/post/fix-alfa-wifi-adapter-not-…
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Ws9b0tWcVF4

1 week ago | [YT] | 8

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

It's been a while since my last livestream. Between buying my first home and traveling for my first DEF CON, life got busy. Now that I’m settled in, I’m back on the grind and excited to bring something new.

Starting August 26th, I’ll be running a weekly cybersecurity livestream every Tuesday with a simple format:

✅ A focused career insight inspired by my newsletter
✅ A breakdown of the week’s top cybersecurity news
✅ Live Q&A to wrap it up

Each stream will run under an hour and is built to give you both evergreen career advice and up-to-date industry context, plus the chance to interact directly.

📺 First stream: The Truth About Breaking Into Cybersecurity
🗓️ Tuesday August 26th, 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT
🔗 YouTube Link: youtube.com/live/vNa1dmmFm_o

P.S. I’ll still be doing hacking challenges, but they won’t be live anymore. Instead, I’ll be releasing one polished hacking challenge video per month. I don’t like creating content I wouldn’t watch myself, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to sit through a 4-hour stream of someone struggling with a Hack The Box machine. These new challenge videos will be clean, digestible, and packed with the key takeaways so you can actually learn without all the fluff.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 16

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🎓 Is a Cybersecurity Master's Degree Worth It in 2025?

I recently wrapped up my own MS in Cybersecurity, and I’ve got thoughts.

This new blog post isn’t a recruiter’s sales pitch or a college brochure. It’s a real breakdown of what you actually get out of a cybersecurity master’s degree (and what you don’t). I cover:

✅ How much it really helps in job hunting
✅ What skills you’ll learn (and what’s missing)
✅ The time commitment compared to certs
✅ Whether the school even matters
✅ And my no-fluff verdict if you’re on the fence

Hot take: Degrees can help, but they won’t carry you. And you should never go into debt for one.

Read the blog: www.kyserclark.com/post/is-a-master-s-degree-in-cy…
Watch the companion video: https://youtu.be/yKIOYsVW9rY

If you’re weighing the degree decision or already in the field and curious about leveling up, this post is for you.

Let me know what you think, and feel free to share it with someone who's thinking about going back to school.

#cybersecurity #infosec #hacking #cybersecuritycareers #kyserclark #ethicalhacking #penetrationtesting #cyberdegree #certifications #tryhackme #hackthebox

3 months ago | [YT] | 3

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🚨 New Blog Post: Flipper Zero Video Game Module — Worth It or Waste of Money?

As a full-time pentester and lifelong gamer, I had to try the official Flipper Zero Video Game Module. I unboxed it, set it up, tested the games, and gave it a fair shot. Here's the honest verdict:

✅ HDMI output works
✅ Setup is easy
❌ No performance boost
❌ Games are the same as before
❌ Awkward controls

I wanted to love it, but I was underwhelmed. If you're expecting new capabilities or better games, this probably isn’t it. But if you're a content creator or educator looking to record your Flipper screen in high quality on the big screen? It might be worth the pickup.

🔗 Read the full breakdown here: www.kyserclark.com/post/flipper-zero-video-game-mo…
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Zl5I9gv9MIk

#FlipperZero #Cybersecurity #HardwareHacking #Infosec #GadgetReview #HackingTools #TryBeforeYouBuy #TechReview

3 months ago | [YT] | 2

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

Updat: I found him!

I had to reschedule tonight's stream. I'll do it next week. My cat went missing and I have to spend tonight looking for him.

3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 20

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

I took the SAL1 exam without studying... and failed. Then I passed it on my second try.

TryHackMe’s Security Analyst Level 1 (SAL1) certification is a hands-on, hybrid exam designed for aspiring SOC analysts. It’s a mix of multiple-choice questions and two live SOC simulations where you triage alerts and write detailed case reports.

I recently published a full breakdown covering:
✅ What the SAL1 exam actually tests
✅ Why I failed the first time (and what I fixed)
✅ How it compares to CySA+
✅ Who this cert is really for
✅ Tips to help you pass on your first try

If you’re considering this certification, this post will give you a full picture of what to expect, no fluff or marketing spin.

🔗 Read the full post: www.kyserclark.com/post/tryhackme-sal1-certificati…
📌 I also linked my complete SOC analyst career roadmap at the bottom.

Watch how to pass the exam here: https://youtu.be/HsZzVQbRcrE
Watch the SAL1 overview here: https://youtu.be/razn85Ynm6o

#cybersecurity #tryhackme #SAL1 #SOCanalyst #certifications #infosec #blueside #cybercareer #hacking

3 months ago | [YT] | 9

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

Struggling to keep up with cybersecurity news?

Staying updated isn’t just a good habit, it’s a necessity whether you're trying to land your first role or are already working in the field

I just published a new blog post where I break down the exact sources I use to stay informed. You might be overlooking these podcasts, newsletters, and underrated platforms.

🧠 These aren’t random suggestions.
I use every single one of them myself, and they’ve helped me stay sharp as a full-time pentester.

You can read the full article here:
👉 www.kyserclark.com/post/how-i-stay-up-to-date-in-c…
Watch the video here:
👉https://youtu.be/3-DzgTyO78k

3 months ago | [YT] | 4

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

Want to break into cybersecurity as a SOC Analyst but don't know where to start?

I just published a detailed roadmap that walks you through every step, from building your skills to getting your first job and leveling up once you're in.

This guide covers:

✅ The best TryHackMe & Hack The Box paths
✅ Certifications that actually matter
✅ How to stand out on LinkedIn (with real results)
✅ When to skip the help desk and go straight for the role you want
✅ The hands-on training that separates candidates who get interviews from those who get ignored

This isn't theory. It's a battle-tested plan based on what I’ve seen work for others and the path I’d take if I were starting from scratch today.

Read it here: www.kyserclark.com/post/how-to-become-a-cybersecur…
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/NWWSKH4WMrs

If you know someone trying to get into cybersecurity, send this their way. It might be exactly what they need.

#cybersecurity #socanalyst #tryhackme #hackthebox #cybercareer #infosec #blueteam

4 months ago | [YT] | 10

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

I'm excited to share that I've completed my Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity Management and Policy from the Univerity of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)!

Reflecting on this journey, I found it wasn't the most difficult challenge I've faced, but it was certainly a test of consistency and discipline. Each project felt like a chore, something that needed to be done, not because it was inherently difficult but because it required showing up and putting in the effort, week after week.

The real challenge lay in maintaining that momentum, much like keeping up with daily chores. It's not hard to do the dishes once, but doing them consistently is where the discipline comes in. This degree journey taught me the importance of that steady effort.

While I haven't yet experienced any immediate career impacts, I am confident that the skills and knowledge gained will pay off. My advice to anyone considering a similar path is to ensure it's a feasible commitment, both in time and finances. If you can pursue it comfortably, it's absolutely worth it.

I'm looking forward to discussing more about whether a Cybersecurity degree is worth it in my upcoming YouTube video, so stay tuned!

4 months ago | [YT] | 71