Hackercool Magazine - January 2026

In this issue

Welcome to 2026’s first issue of Hackercool Magazine, where we focus on one of the most important shifts in modern cybersecurity: how at- tacks are evolving beyond exploits and into identity, trust and human behavior.
For beginners, ethical hacking can often feel tool-heavy and confusing. This issue is intentionally different. Instead of chasing trends, in this issue we focus on foundational understanding—the kind that helps you recog -nize real attacks, not just run commands.
We begin by exploring Deepfake and AI-generated social engi- neering, an emerging threat that targets people rather than systems. From there, we examine how misconfigured edge devices have quietly bec -ome one of the most effective entry points for attackers today. As environm- ents move to the cloud, we clarify the difference between cloud pentest- ing and traditional pentesting, helping you understand what truly changes and what doesn’t.
This issue also provides practical guidance: a curated look at open-source red team tools worth learning in 2026, a beginner-friendly break- down of MITRE ATT&CK; Framework and a clear explanation of identity-based attacks using BloodHound—without exploits. We close by tying everything together with a deep dive into identity and access, the skill behind most modern breaches and a red team career guide to help you plan your next steps.
If you’re learning ethical hacking, this issue is about building the right mindset first. Tools will change. Concepts endure.