Learn API Security Online: Free Course with AI Tutor & Certificate
You'll map attack surfaces, expose data vulnerabilities, and secure architectures from real-world threats. This free API Security course spans 7 modules and about 31 hours. Across 93 video lessons, you'll practice identifying weak authentication and injection flaws, preparing you to report breaches like a professional.
API Security course syllabus
01 Module 1: Foundations of Modern API Security
- API Security Fundamentals: A Comprehensive Overview
- Workshop: Applying API Security Best Practices
- Understanding the HTTP Protocol
- Mastering the JSON Data Format
- Deep Dive: What is a Communication Protocol?
- Understanding and Identifying APIs
- API Enumeration and Common Vulnerabilities
- Practical Hacking Workflow and Next Steps
- Introduction to OWASP API Top 10 & Initial Vulnerabilities (1-4)
- Advanced API Vulnerabilities & Mitigation Strategies (5-10)
02 Module 2: Reconnaissance and Attack Surface Mapping
- Setting Up Your API Penetration Testing Lab
- Mastering API Enumeration Techniques
- Understanding and Installing Kite Runner
- Practical API Scanning with Kite Runner
- Leveraging GitHub for API Path Enumeration and Discovery
- Advanced API Reconnaissance with AI and Postman
- Exploiting Improper Inventory Management (OWASP API9)
03 Module 3: Attacking Authentication and Authorization
- Conceptual Deep Dive: Authorization vs. Authentication
- Masterclass on API Authentication Methods and Best Practices
- Understanding Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA)
- Live BOLA Hacking Demo and Prevention Strategies
- Introduction to BOLA and Real-World Hacks
- Live Hacking a BOLA Vulnerability with Burp Suite
- Automating API Security: Platform Setup and Authentication
- Configuring Automated BOLA Scenarios and Q&A
- Exploiting Broken Authentication (OWASP API2)
- Exploiting Broken Object Property Level Authorization (OWASP API3)
- Introduction to JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) and Session Management
- Common JWT Vulnerabilities, Prevention, and Best Practices
- Practical JWT Hacking: Cracking Weak Secrets
- Advanced JWT Hacking: Header Injection Attacks
04 Module 4: Deep Dive into Injection and Data Exposure
- Introduction and the OWASP Top 10 Framework
- Lab Setup: Docker, Juice Shop, and Foxy Proxy
- Deep Dive into Burp Suite and the Juice Shop Scoreboard
- Understanding and Exploiting SQL Injection (SQLi)
- Analyzing Broken Authentication Vulnerabilities
- Uncovering Sensitive Data Exposure
- Exploiting XML External Entities (XXE)
- Abusing Broken Access Control and Security Misconfigurations
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Fundamentals: Reflected, Stored, and DOM
- Advanced XSS: Stored Attacks and Prevention Techniques
- Final Vulnerabilities and Course Wrap-up
- Introduction to Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
- Live Demonstration: Finding and Exploiting SSRF
- SSRF Mitigation, Q&A, and Prevention Strategies
- Exploiting Mass Assignment Vulnerabilities
- Case Study: Exploiting API Information Disclosure
- Case Study: The Log4Shell Vulnerability (CVE-2021-44228)
- Case Study: Finding a 0-day in Apache APISIX (CVE-2022-24112)
- Identifying Vulnerabilities in Unauthenticated Endpoints
- Advanced Attack Chains, Tooling, and Q&A
05 Module 5: Hacking Advanced API Architectures
- Introduction to Hacking GraphQL APIs
- GraphQL Fundamentals and Reconnaissance
- Essential GraphQL Tooling and Practical Usage
- Practical GraphQL Hacking and Exploitation
- Foundations of Mobile API Security & Lab Setup
- Live Hacking Demo and Defensive Strategies
- Introduction and Android Emulator Setup
- Intercepting Android App Traffic with Burp Suite
- Introduction to API Fuzzing
- Advanced Fuzzing with Turbo Intruder
- The Art of Chaining Vulnerabilities
- Exploiting Race Condition Vulnerabilities
- Challenge Setup and Application Reconnaissance
- Vulnerability Discovery and Exploit Chaining
06 Module 6: Defensive Security: Architecture, Hardening, and SDLC
- Adopting a SecDevOps Mindset for API Security
- Integrating API Security into the Development Lifecycle
- Foundations of API Security and Governance
- Winning Strategies and the Future of API Security
- Implementing API Gateway Security Best Practices
- Foundations of Defensible API Architecture
- Active Defense: Disrupting Attacker ROI and Managing Technical Debt
- Hardening APIs with Secure HTTP Headers
- Implementing Secure Secrets Management
- Effective API Monitoring and Alerting
- Introduction to Cloud Network Security & Secure Web Proxy
- Cloud NGFW: Features, AI Integration, and Deployment Patterns
- Customer Journey, Engineering Innovations, and Conclusion
07 Module 7: Real-World Breaches and Professional Reporting
- How to Write a Professional Penetration Test Report
- Writing Effective Bug Bounty Reports
- Breach Analysis: Zombie APIs, Broken Auth, and Modern Nightmares
- Analyzing API Breaches: Leaked Keys and Logic Flaws
- Brute-Force Vulnerabilities and Defensive Best Practices
- From Scooters to Cars: The Genesis of a Hack
- Hacking the Fleet: Exploiting APIs for Vehicle and System Control
- Disclosure, Industry Gaps, and the Future of Connected Vehicle Security
- The $133k Bug: Initial Reconnaissance and SSRF Attempts
- Advanced Exploitation: Abusing Hidden APIs and Protobuf for RCE
- GCP Prize Winners: Command Injection, XSS, and Kubernetes Permissions (Prizes 7-5)
- Top GCP Hacks: SSRF, OAuth Bypass, SSH Injection, and K8s Escalation (Prizes 4-1)
- Introduction and First Bug: GraphQL Sensitive Data Exposure
- Critical Bug & Key Takeaways for New Hunters
- Case Study: Securing APIs in the Banking and FinTech Sector
Skills you'll gain
Add these to your LinkedIn profile and resume the day you finish.
Who should take this API Security course?
And exactly what you need before starting (spoiler: almost nothing).
This course is for
- Software developers who want to write more secure code and protect their endpoints.
- Cybersecurity enthusiasts looking to specialize in application and web security.
- QA engineers testing modern web applications for vulnerabilities in India's growing tech sector.
- IT professionals aiming to transition into dedicated penetration testing or security analyst roles.
Prerequisites
- A basic understanding of web development and HTTP protocols is recommended.
- Familiarity with how REST or GraphQL APIs function.
- No prior professional hacking experience is required.
How learning works on LearnTube
The structure of a bootcamp, the price of free.
AI curates your path
Our AI picks the top 1% of video content for each topic and arranges it into a structured, goal-based curriculum. No more tutorial roulette.
Learn, then get quizzed
After every lesson, your AI tutor asks you a question and gives personalised feedback on your answer, so gaps get fixed immediately.
Finish with proof
Complete the course, build the capstone project, and claim a certificate recognised by 900+ hiring partners.
A complete API Security course: free, structured and job-focused
You'll learn how to find, exploit, and patch API vulnerabilities before malicious actors do. Starting with the first lesson, 'API Security Fundamentals: A Comprehensive Overview', this course walks you through the exact methods professionals use to secure data. You'll quickly move into 'Reconnaissance and Attack Surface Mapping' to understand how attackers discover hidden endpoints. From there, the curriculum covers 'Attacking Authentication and Authorization' to show you exactly how poorly configured APIs leak sensitive information.
As you progress into 'Hacking Advanced API Architectures', you'll see how complex systems break down under pressure. The training doesn't stop at breaking things. You'll study 'Defensive Security: Architecture, Hardening, and SDLC' to learn how to build resilient systems from the ground up. Finally, 'Real-World Breaches and Professional Reporting' teaches you how to document your findings clearly for stakeholders. This is a critical skill for any security professional working with development teams.
LearnTube makes mastering these 31 hours of content highly interactive. We curate the best educational videos from YouTube and pair them with an AI tutor that tests your knowledge. You'll face a quick quiz after every single one of the 93 video lessons to ensure the concepts stick. The learning experience is entirely free. Once you finish all 7 modules, you can choose to add a paid certificate to verify your new security skills to the 900+ hiring partners in our network.
Jobs you can target after learning API Security
API Security is a gateway skill for some of the fastest-growing roles in tech.
Monitors networks for security breaches and investigates violations.
Simulates cyberattacks on systems to identify exploitable vulnerabilities.
Works with development teams to ensure software is secure from the design phase.
Typical entry-level salary ranges in India as of September 2026. Actual compensation varies by city, company and experience.
Earn a API Security certificate employers recognise
Finish the course and claim a certificate you can share anywhere.
- Learn 100% free: every lesson, quiz and the AI tutor cost nothing
- Claim your certificate when you complete the course (an optional paid add-on)
- Recognised by 900+ hiring partners across India
- One click to share on LinkedIn and add to your resume
Why learners choose LearnTube
Real reviews from Google. You learn free, you get assessed free, and you pay only if you want the certificate.
Though I have 11 years of experience as an HRBP, the course helped me refresh my knowledge and gave me insights into new trends in the market. The modules were clear and easy to understand, and the quizzes were well designed. I have added the certificate to my LinkedIn profile.
I had a lot of doubts while learning, but the AI chatbot answered them in detail with simple summaries. The videos on the platform saved me a lot of time as I didn't have to search YouTube and watch random content.
Just earned my certificate in HR Management from LearnTube.ai! The platform is user-friendly and the assessment was a great way to validate my knowledge. Feeling proud of this accomplishment!
I enrolled in a LearnTube personalized course to get into a Data Analytics role. It helped me learn SQL in depth and gave me hands-on experience with Power BI. I attached the LearnTube certificate to my CV, it added credibility to my profile, and I'm currently in the interview process.
The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to navigate the course. I encountered no errors during my time using the platform, which was a refreshing change from other online learning platforms.
Just cleared the Business Analyst assessment and got certified! Loved how the course simplifies big concepts like data-driven decision making into short, practical lessons. The automated quizzes kept me on track the whole time. Perfect boost for my resume!
The certificate gave me a real edge during my B.Tech. By the time I graduated, I had skills that set me apart from my peers, and the certification opened up more job opportunities. It gave me the confidence to stand out during interviews.
I manage many software projects as a General Manager and was looking for a good certification program to stay competitive. After researching many programs, I chose LearnTube and it was much better than I expected. The material is well-organized and practical, and what I liked most is the lifetime access.
Frequently asked questions
Everything learners ask before starting this API Security course.
Is this API Security course really free?
Yes. You can watch all 93 video lessons and take every AI quiz without paying anything. The entire 31-hour learning experience is completely free, while the official completion certificate is an optional paid upgrade.
What will the optional certificate look like?
The paid certificate displays your name, the API Security course title, and a verifiable credential ID. You can easily attach it to your LinkedIn profile or resume to show employers your verified technical skills.
How is LearnTube different from watching normal YouTube tutorials?
LearnTube structures scattered YouTube videos into a logical 7-module curriculum. Instead of passively watching, you interact with an AI tutor that gives you a specific quiz after every single lesson to ensure you actually retain the material.
What software or tools do I need installed?
You only need a modern web browser and a stable internet connection to start. As you progress through the attack mapping modules, the instructor will guide you on downloading free industry-standard testing tools like Postman or Burp Suite.
Do I need to know how to code before starting?
Having a basic grasp of web development and HTTP requests helps significantly. While you do not need to be a senior developer, understanding how APIs transmit data makes it much easier to spot and exploit security flaws.
Is this course self-paced?
Yes. You can complete the 31 hours of video content entirely on your own schedule. There are no fixed class times, allowing you to pause, rewind, and review the security modules whenever it fits your daily routine.
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93 lessons, an AI tutor that never gets tired, and a certificate at the finish line. All you need is an hour a day.
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