Metasploit is one of the best-known and most used cybersecurity technologies for penetration testing (Cyber Security News). This short course gives you the job-ready skills in exploitation techniques and penetration testing using Metasploit employers are looking for.



Exploitation and Penetration Testing with Metasploit
This course is part of IBM Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Professional Certificate


Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team
Included with
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Build job-ready skills using the Metasploit framework, its architecture, and capabilities, to effectively support penetration testing activities.
Perform reconnaissance, vulnerability assessment, exploit execution, and post-exploitation tasks using Metasploit.
Develop, modify, and execute exploits for real-world attack scenarios, including network, web application, and social engineering.
Document penetration testing findings, generate actionable reports, and provide recommendations for security improvements.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
12 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your Computer Security and Networks expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate from IBM


Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review

There are 4 modules in this course
This module introduces learners to the Metasploit framework, its components, and how it supports penetration testing. It covers exploitation concepts, payloads, sessions, exploit development, and fuzzing techniques.
What's included
8 videos4 readings4 assignments4 app items9 plugins
This module explores techniques attackers use after compromising a system, including privilege escalation, persistence mechanisms, evasion techniques, and network attack simulations.
What's included
6 videos3 readings4 assignments2 app items4 plugins
This module covers exploitation techniques targeting web applications and human vulnerabilities. Learners will understand how attackers compromise web apps, use phishing, and perform physical and USB-based attacks.
What's included
6 videos3 readings4 assignments1 app item4 plugins
This module serves as the capstone for the course, where learners will apply all acquired skills to conduct a comprehensive penetration test using Metasploit.
What's included
1 video2 readings2 app items2 plugins
Offered by
Explore more from Computer Security and Networks
Why people choose Coursera for their career




New to Computer Security and Networks? Start here.

Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Metasploit is one of the most popular and powerful tools for penetration testing and ethical hacking. It’s used by cybersecurity professionals across industries to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems—making it a key tool for real-world offensive security testing.
Absolutely. Metasploit is considered a core skill for many cybersecurity roles, especially in penetration testing, red teaming, and vulnerability assessment. Knowing how to use Metasploit demonstrates that you have hands-on experience with the tools and techniques professionals rely on in the field.
Basic knowledge of networking, operating systems (especially Linux), and cybersecurity concepts is helpful, but you don’t need to be an expert to get started. This course is designed to guide you through the essentials of Metasploit, from installation to real-world applications.
More questions
Financial aid available,