Skip to main contentSkip to Xpert Chatbot

Learn Ghidra with online courses and programs

The United States National Security Agency (NSA) developed Ghidra, an open-source reverse engineering tool, that is utilized in cybersecurity careers. You can learn Ghidra reverse engineering through an online Ghidra tutorial delivered through edX.
Ghidra | Introduction Image

What is Ghidra?

Developed by the National Security Agency, Ghidra is a free, open-source framework reverse engineering tool used by the agency itself, as well as other businesses and organizations for cybersecurity purposes.Footnote 1 What is reverse engineering? It’s the process of deconstructing an object or piece of software to extract design information so you can recreate it.Footnote 2 In cybersecurity, reverse engineering facilitates malware analysis. 

With Ghidra training, a cybersecurity analyst can use reverse engineering to understand how malware works and identify software vulnerabilities. Ghidra enables information security analysts to analyze malware code and functionality to map out its actions.Footnote 3 Since Ghidra is a disassembly tool, there’s no impact to the analysis device when someone’s using Ghidra to analyze malware. 

Ghidra enables users to analyze code using Java or Python. Users can use Ghidra for disassembly, assembly, graphing, scripting, decompilation, and other functions. Users can also access the tool’s source code and see updates on GitHub.Footnote 4 As a framework, Ghidra saves time and provides up-to-date analysis for the user. 

Browse Ghidra courses

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.
‌
‌
‌
‌

Related topics

Information TechnologyFinanceComputer ScienceEngineeringData AnalysisData ScienceCodingDesignEducationHumanities
View all topics

Ghidra tutorial curriculum

Some Ghidra courses may recommend prior experience with reverse engineering operating systems, such as Linux or Windows, while others may suggest having a background in programming languages like C/C++. 

Ghidra tutorial curricula will vary, but topics you may cover include how to: 

  • Execute reverse engineering best practices.

  • Disassemble programs into assembly code.

  • Analyze software without access to source code.

  • Decompile programs to C code.

  • Do static analysis.

  • Identify program entry points.

  • Analyze Linux and Windows binaries.

  • Use function graphs.

Completing Ghidra training can help you build the knowledge needed for reverse engineering tasks. Explore the range of learning opportunities available through edX, from full degree programs to specialized boot camps. 

Jobs that use Ghidra

Information technology jobs that deal with cybersecurity may require a skill set that includes Ghidra knowledge. Some positions that might require Ghidra expertise include:

  • Information security analyst: Information security analysts monitor networks for security breaches, check for vulnerabilities, and recommend security enhancements.Footnote 5

  • Software engineer: Software engineers plan software development scopes and may lead developers, analysts, and testers to execute software requirements.Footnote 6

  • Cybersecurity consultant: Cybersecurity consultants work with businesses to secure their information technology systems. They help organizations identify cybersecurity programs, protect information, and build security around risks. 

The formal education required for positions like these may range from a bachelor’s degree in computer science to a master’s degree in engineering. Information technology professionals can also develop their skills with intensive cybersecurity boot camps. It's important to research the roles you hope to pursue before setting down a specific learning path. 

Ghidra knowledge may also be useful in related roles, like computer and information research scientist, database administrator, or computer systems analyst. Leaders who manage cybersecurity professionals may benefit from knowing Ghidra, as well. 

Performing malware analysis with Ghidra

Cybersecurity professionals can use Ghidra to decompile deployed software to reveal its structure, set of commands, and logic. Through this reverse engineering process, malware analysts can understand how software works, what the malware’s capabilities are, where the malware came from, or who wrote it. 

Once a user has installed the software, they can create a project and drag malware samples into the project. Ghidra can then analyze the file and prepare it for the reverse engineering process. Users can see:Footnote 7

  • Sections of the malware

  • The imports, exports, and functions the malware is using

  • The entry point of the malware

  • Decisions made by the malware

  • The flow the malware takes based on certain conditions

Ghidra also helps cybersecurity experts check their own software code to identify vulnerabilities. The user-friendliness of Ghidra simplifies reverse engineering and makes the process accessible to a range of information technology experts with varying levels of experience. 

More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.

New

Executive Education

Expert-led, fully supported courses that build career-critical skills 
New

Master's Degrees

Online degree programs from top universities 
New

Bachelor's Degrees

Begin or complete a degree; fully online 

Frequently asked questions

Information security analysts and researchers can use the reverse engineering tool Ghidra to inspect and analyze malware without compromising their own systems. The United States National Security Agency developed this free, open-source disassembly tool in 2019 in support of its cybersecurity efforts. 

Ghidra provides a free, open-source reverse engineering framework that can help information security analysts save time and resources when they want to analyze malware. Ghidra decompiles the object code back to source code, which eliminates the requirement of an analyst having to read the assembly language. The tool is especially helpful for cybersecurity analysts who are learning reverse engineering and want a free tool to do so.

That depends on how much time you have to dedicate to studying. Some courses take less hours of lecture time than others. Many online Ghidra tutorials are self-paced, which means you can go as quickly or as slowly as you’d like throughout the course. 

Ghidra’s software is written in Java, while the decompiler component is written in C++. You can develop Ghidra plugins in Java or in Python, using Jython, a Python interpreter written in Java programming language.Footnote 8

That depends on the course, but it may be helpful to have familiarity with basic Linux commands, C/C++, and debuggers. Take a look at the specific prerequisites for the course you’re interested in, as these can vary. 

Yes. The United States National Security Agency developed Ghidra as a reverse engineering tool. With an open-source knowledge base and the backing of one of the world’s leading cybersecurity firms, Ghidra has become a top reverse engineering tool. 

Reverse engineering is a process someone uses to understand how a machine or system works. In cybersecurity, an expert can use reverse engineering to study malware and create strategies and tools to dismantle it. Reverse engineering can also be used in cybersecurity to understand system and software vulnerabilities, breaking down code to discover security holes and fixing them to prevent future breaches.

Ghidra can be a helpful tool for cybersecurity experts and information security analysts. Some jobs will require or recommend Ghidra knowledge. The Ghidra framework can save time and resources. There are other reverse engineering tools available. Your preference may depend on a variety of factors.