Hands-on, Ready, Go!

Since taking Joseph Opacki’s malware reversing course in the GMU Digital Forensics and Cyber Analysis program, and later FOR610 @ SANS with Lenny Zeltser - I’ve been fascinated with malware analysis and reverse engineering. Unfortunately, in the years since those classes, I have not had much professional opportunity to use the skills directly.

I have finally decided to take matters in to my own hands. I can get all the practice I need through efficient use of my home lab and library.

Hands-on keyboard, dissecting samples is where I want to be. So here is my plan.

At my disposal, I have a spiffy System76 laptop, VMWare Workstation Pro, a fantastic infosec community, and these awesome books:

• Practical Reverse Engineering Amazon
• Reversing: Secrets to Reverse Engineering Amazon
• Hacking: The Art of Exploitation Amazon
• Practical Malware Analysis Amazon
• Malware Analyst’s Cookbook Amazon

I used to have a copy of The Art of Memory Forensics Amazon, but I think I lost it in a recent move. I may add that to the list here in a couple days – we’ll see.

I’ll move through these books in parallel - covering all of the Chapter 1s before moving on, then all of the Chatper 2s and so on. I will attempt to document my journey.

Here I go.