[Vaqxine]

Same situation here but things work differently in the UK.. A few universities here offer IT Security courses which would be ideal.

[Vaqxine]

I wasn't saying leave the country (:D), but aren't there any IT courses you can take where you live?

[Jetwall]

CEH anyone?

http://www.eccouncil.org/education.htm

[whiterabbit7500]

google "ethical hacking"

[dues ex machina]

maybe take some classes by distance ed if you can? heaps of courses have stuff that you can do online like CCNA networking or something?

[Phius]

There are many training centres worldwide that provide ethical hacking courses, here are just a few...

http://7safe.com/ethical_hacking_passport.htm

http://www.net-security-training.co.uk/

http://www.appinonline.com/

http://www.learningtree.com/courses/537.htm

[n3xus]

Umm.....make sure you don't get suckered into a scam ethical hacking course, like the ones where they teach you how to use task manager and call it hacking. I recommend seeking education and using tutorials from Security Communities such as Bugtraq, Atalavista, etc.

[Aaron*1]

Personally I learn better by Reading on the Internet for things to do with computers but for school subjects (maths as an example) I prefer having a teacher and actually revising it, mathd is VERY useful subject... ;)

[Soldier of Fortune]

Pen testing for example? Probably the best go.

[t3hmadhatt3r]

Start with some basic web langs and read up on some on going exploits against websites and users. Also, I recommend my ebooks. They are great for learning. Then when you know some stuff go find some sites that are locally owned (Newspapers maybe???) and try to find some exploits for them. Then report them and, maybe start contacting them and their security team. You can then try to get the word out about you helping the site (Maybe get it published in THEIR newspaper and see it anyone is willing to hire you to test their site... You can always do it free though.(I don't think anyone's going to trust a teen but, might as well get some word out that you are alive...But the great thing is you can practice on their sites if you have permission!!!).

[Professor 0110]

One doesn't really need to take an official "Certified Ethical Hacker" course, or another along similar lines to classify themselves as an Ethical Hacker. CEH certifications and the like mainly give you a leg up into the Info Sec industry. But just because you pass the CEH exam with flying colors does not mean that you are a hacker - you've merely shown enough basic knowledge and understanding which provides you with a foundation to build on.

Really, Ethical Hacking is about knowing how to attack and defend networks. A Good defense is a good offense. An Ethical Hacker is familiar with the ways and means in which Black Hat Hackers often compromise a network.

Personally, I recommend reading the Hacking Exposed series of books. They offer an in-depth explanation into the techniques hackers use, and effective countermeasures.

[n3xus]

One doesn't really need to take an official "Certified Ethical Hacker" course, or another along similar lines to classify themselves as an Ethical Hacker. CEH certifications and the like mainly give you a leg up into the Info Sec industry. But just because you pass the CEH exam with flying colors does not mean that you are a hacker - you've merely shown enough basic knowledge and understanding which provides you with a foundation to build on.

Really, Ethical Hacking is about knowing how to attack and defend networks. A Good defense is a good offense. An Ethical Hacker is familiar with the ways and means in which Black Hat Hackers often compromise a network.

Personally, I recommend reading the Hacking Exposed series of books. They offer an in-depth explanation into the techniques hackers use, and effective countermeasures.

A book series that accurately describes modern hacking? Sounds too good to be true, but I'll give it a look.