Note Taking and Mind Mapping

Note Taking & Mind Mapping for Penetration Testing

A tactical approach for organizing knowledge during OSCP and beyond

---

Personal Admission

“Note-taking is personally my greatest weakness.”

You're not alone—many technical learners struggle with organizing information effectively. The key is finding what works for you and sticking with it.

---

Note Taking: Why It Matters

• Keeps track of:

  • Tools, payloads, IPs, and commands

  • Exploitation steps

  • Screenshots and flags

• Useful for:

  • Writing your final OSCP report

  • Reviewing past methodologies

  • Avoiding repetitive mistakes

---

Choosing a Method That Works for You

Everyone learns differently. Consider:

• Do you remember better with visual diagrams?

• Do you prefer bullet points, outlines, or full walkthroughs?

• Do you find value in typing, writing by hand, or recording audio?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but you must choose before the exam day.

---

Popular Tools and Formats

Note-Taking Tools

Tool	Use Case
CherryTree	Structured, tree-based hacking notes
Obsidian	Markdown-based, backlinks for context
OneNote	Easy sketching and screenshot pasting
Joplin	Markdown, encryption, sync options
GitBook	Clean publishing and documentation

Mind Mapping Tools

Tool	Features
XMind	Easy to structure attack paths
draw.io	Free, customizable flowcharts
MindNode	Visual and intuitive interface (Mac)
pen & paper	Surprisingly effective for memory

---

Important Warning

“Don't try a new mind mapping or note-taking application the day of the OSCP.”

• Stick with what you've practiced.

• Switching tools mid-way = confusion + wasted time.

• Know your chosen tool inside-out before exam day.

---

Mind Map Use Cases in OSCP

• Organize machine data (IP, OS, vulnerability, exploit path)

• Visualize attack chains

• Track privilege escalation vectors

• Quickly retrace steps during your exam

---

Pro Tips

• Keep notes organized by machine or topic.

• Create a template (e.g., for each box: Recon, Vuln, Exploit, Flag).

• Include links to resources, CVEs, and command history.

• Regularly review and update your notes during labs.

---

Note-Taking Tips for OSCP and Penetration Testing

---

Where to Take Notes

• Take Notes Outside Your Kali VM

  • Keeps your VM clean and fast

  • Prevents note loss if the VM crashes

• Use Cloud-Based Applications

  • Protects against hardware failure

  • Accessible from any device

  • Examples:

    • OneNote – supports screenshots, cloud sync

    • Obsidian with Sync – Markdown, searchable

    • Notion, Joplin, Google Docs

Avoid saving notes solely in your VM—if it bricks, your notes are gone.

---

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT try a new app on exam day

  • Unfamiliarity = frustration = lost time

  • You've been warned (twice) for a reason

• Do NOT check notes on your phone in between breaks

  • May be seen as cheating or violating exam rules

---

When to Start Taking Notes

• Start early—from your first lab machine

  • The earlier you build your database of tactics and tools, the better

---

Make Your Notes Searchable

• Structure matters:

  • Use headings, tags, categories (e.g., Recon, Exploits, PrivEsc)

• Include:

  • CVEs, tools used, syntax, screenshots, post-exploitation steps

• Use a tool with a robust search function so you’re not digging manually

---

Include Visuals

• Screenshots are powerful:

  • Show command output, flags, or proof.txt

  • Annotate with IPs and timestamps

• OneNote and Obsidian (with plugins) allow easy image embedding.