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Hey there, BlueHats in Stealth Mode!
We see you — and we’re glad you’re here. Every day, lots of visitors check out our forum without creating an account. That’s fine! Many of our most active members started off the same way — quietly exploring before jumping in.
Even without an account, you’re free to browse and learn from the wealth of insights and advice shared by our community. It’s a smart way to start: by observing how things work, you’ll become more familiar with our culture and expectations. That way, when you’re ready to participate, you’ll already have a solid understanding of the forum and be less likely to make beginner mistakes.
Later in this guide, we’ll cover our Newbie Guide and different membership levels — both of which offer tips to help you get the most out of your experience here.
The more you read, the more we think you’ll want to join us officially. Sure, you can read posts while lurking, but registered members enjoy extra benefits like access to freebies, member-only offers, and the opportunity to connect, collaborate, or even sell to our niche community of experts. So, enjoy the lurker phase while it lasts — it’s the perfect way to start your journey with us.
Hi there, and welcome to the community!
Whether you’re new to the world of tech, digital strategy, or just here to learn and grow, you’re in good company. This thread isn’t a full list of all our rules, but it does cover the ones that most often confuse.
To keep it simple, here are the three golden rules:
🚫 Don’t Sell
🚫 Don’t Spam
🚫 Don’t Be Rude
Ask yourself if what you’re doing violates any of these, and you’ll usually stay on the right path. Here's what each one means in more detail:
If you're new, selling is off-limits — plain and simple.
We want to see members contribute and engage with the forum before using it as a selling platform. If you’re serious about offering your services, here’s the path:
Upgrade your account to Power Member.
Once upgraded, you’ll get access to post in the Marketplace.
A green anchor icon will appear on your profile as a badge of your status.
Until then, avoid trying to sell through comments, DMs, or unrelated threads — it’s not allowed and won’t help your reputation here.
You know what spam looks like… but in case you’re unsure, here’s what we consider spammy behavior:
Posting short summaries linking to outside websites.
Dropping links to your site without context.
Off-topic or irrelevant replies.
Duplicating content from other places.
Repeating the same comment across threads (e.g., “Nice post!” or “Good luck!”).
Starting multiple threads on the same topic.
Writing “PM me for info” posts.
Posting unrelated comments in dispute resolution threads.
Spam clutters the forum and hurts quality, so let’s avoid it altogether.
This one’s simple: Be respectful.
We expect members to treat each other and our moderators with a basic level of courtesy. While our community has a laid-back vibe, and good-natured teasing is normal, there's a big difference between having fun and being malicious or abusive. The latter is not tolerated here.
Discussions involving encouraging fraud, scams, or illegal activities are not permitted. We're flexible and open-minded — but we draw the line at anything that breaks the law. As this is a cyber security forum, you might be tempted to share some of your expertise, which is fine, but you shouldn't post it in a way that other are encouraged to use that method or technique, and proper warning and solutions should also be provided so that other members can remain safe and implement safety measures.
No need to panic. Warnings are private (only you and the mods can see them, usually via email), and they’re meant to guide, not punish.
If you get one, take it as a reminder of the rules. Plenty of well-respected members have received warnings in the past — what matters is how you respond. Learn from it and move on.
Think a warning was unfair? Reach out to the moderator politely — being aggressive or rude will only make things worse.
Not sure about a rule? Ask a moderator before doing anything risky.
Not sure how something works? Visit the community and ask for help from members by posting a thread.
See something against the rules? Use the Report button — our mods appreciate the extra eyes.
We’re excited to have you here. Welcome aboard — and happy exploring!
Many new users wonder why they can’t access certain features at the start. Let’s break it down.
When you first sign up, your status is set as Newbie. Once you’ve updated your Bio & Profile Image, you’ll be promoted to Registered Member.
Important: Bio and Images need not be your real ones as this is a cybersecurity forum, so we respect you choosing an alias.
Newbie
Registered Member
Moderator
Power Member
Premium Member
Jr. Formulator
As you grow more active, you can work your way up the ranks. If you want to become a Power Member, here’s how:
Power Member access costs $100/year.
It gives you a respected role in the community, and you are viewed as an expert.
You’ll be able to open a Marketplace Thread to promote your services or products.
To upgrade, just reach out to us at info@bluehatworld.com with your request.
Once you’ve reached this level, the forum truly becomes a gold mine. Stick to the rules, stay engaged, and the opportunities are yours to explore.
That’s everything you need to get started and thrive here. Take your time, explore the community, and enjoy the journey.
Happy posting!
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