Connelly Labs

Hands-on IT and cybersecurity labs

Learn computers by working on your own.

Short labs that teach the ideas first, then have you find them on the computer in front of you. Use search and AI the way professionals do: as tools, with you responsible for the result. No account, no cost.

  1. 1 · Learn

    A short lesson explains the idea in plain language.

  2. 2 · Do

    You find it and test it on your own computer.

  3. 3 · Document

    You capture screenshots for a professional-style lab report and earn a badge.

New here? Start here How the labs work, and how to write a professional lab report Read the guide →

Intro to Computers

Start here if you're new. The parts, the operating system, files, search, AI, and working faster.

  • Lab 01

    What's Inside Your Computer

    CPU, RAM, storage, and GPU on your own machine. About 30 to 60 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 02

    Meet Your Operating System

    Make your computer yours and learn your way around Settings. About 30 to 45 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 03

    Files, Folders, and Paths

    Where your files actually live, and how to find them. About 30 to 45 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 04

    Search Like a Pro

    How search works, and the tricks pros use to find answers fast. About 30 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 05

    Working With AI

    What AI really is, how to use it responsibly, and how to write great prompts. About 45 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 06

    Ditch the Mouse

    Keyboard shortcuts that work almost everywhere. About 30 minutes.

    Start

Under the Hood

The next step: the command line, virtual machines, networks, and how websites really work.

  • Lab 01

    Command Line Basics

    Move around and manage files by typing commands. About 30 to 45 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 02

    Your First Virtual Machine

    A safe computer inside your computer.

    Coming soon
  • Lab 03

    How the Internet Finds You

    IP addresses, DNS, and ping.

    Coming soon
  • Lab 04

    Advanced Search Techniques

    Precise searches that uncover more than you'd expect, and why defenders care.

    Coming soon
  • Lab 05

    How Websites Work

    Look inside any web page with your browser's Inspect tool.

    Coming soon

Intro to Cybersecurity

How attacks work and how defenders spot them, using files and machines you control.

  • Lab 01

    Why Long Passwords Win

    Hashing, and cracking weak hashes on purpose.

    Coming soon
  • Lab 02

    Spot the Phish

    How modern scams use AI and psychology, and how to slow down and verify. About 45 minutes.

    Start
  • Lab 03

    Reading Network Traffic

    Finding a plaintext password in a packet capture.

    Coming soon
  • Lab 04

    Logs Tell the Story

    Catching a brute-force attempt in login records.

    Coming soon