Gray Hat Coding with C#: Building Exploits, Malware, and Security Tools with .NET

Gray Hat Coding with C#: Building Exploits, Malware, and Security Tools with .NET C# is no longer just a language for business applications-it has become a powerful tool in the hands of security professionals, penetration testers, and malware analysts. With the evolution of .NET into a cross-platform framework, attackers and defenders alike now leverage its flexibility to build advanced exploits, stealthy malware, and robust security tooling. Gray Hat Coding with C# takes you inside this space, showing you how the .NET ecosystem can be used responsibly to understand offensive tactics and design stronger defenses. Written in a clear, professional, and approachable style, this book balances technical depth with practical demonstrations, making it accessible to both beginners curious about system-level coding and experienced developers aiming to extend their security expertise. Inside, you'll explore: How advanced C# features, reflection, and unsafe code can be leveraged for offensive research and defensive countermeasures. Direct interaction with the Windows API for process manipulation, memory access, registry control, and user input capture. Practical techniques for obfuscation, anti-analysis, process injection, and exploit proof-of-concepts in controlled lab environments. Building malware components such as keyloggers, network sniffers, and screen capture tools-and understanding how defenders detect and neutralize them. Designing command-and-control (C2) architectures, automating red team tasks, and developing defensive monitors such as honeypots, sandboxes, and API call detectors. Reverse engineering .NET malware with dnSpy, ILSpy, and custom analyzers. Ethical considerations, legal boundaries, and responsible disclosure practices every security researcher must follow. The future of gray hat coding with .NET 8/9, AI-assisted malware and defense, and emerging trends in security tooling. This book is not about glorifying malware-it is about understanding how attacks work so you can anticipate, detect, and defend against them. Every technique is explained with context, complete code examples, and guidance on using them safely in lab environments. Whether you are a penetration tester seeking to expand your red team toolkit, a blue teamer looking to recognize and stop advanced threats, or a developer eager to push the boundaries of what C# can do in security, this book provides the practical knowledge you need. Don't wait until attackers outpace your defenses. Equip yourself with the skills to understand both sides of the equation-offense and defense. Gray Hat Coding with C# gives you the insight, techniques, and responsibility needed to stay ahead in modern cybersecurity. Secure your copy today and start building, breaking, and defending with .NET.