Posted this on /r/hacking, Hackforums (Don't ask, it was a last resort) and now I come to you, LG.

So, I know a ton about hacking, have read tons and books and tutorials and stuff on it, and have and know how to use most programs like Metasploit and Nmap and all of that. The only problem I'm running in to? I can't apply it. I would REALLY like to apply my skills to a real-world situation (aka, actually hack a server or computer or something) without it being something dumb like hacking a virtual vulnerable server, or hacking computers with something dumb like spreading a RAT. The problem I'm having is that all of the metasploit and hacking exposed books and online tutorials and everything like that assumes one key thing beforehand: That you have a server with some dumb super specific vulnerability.

So, I guess you could almost say that I'm just having a problem finding targets. I can never find any vulnerable targets, and all of the websites that I'm interested in hacking are locked down pretty good, no vulnerabilities to speak of. I know I'm going to get those dumb canned responses of "Just use google dorks, and an SQL or XSS vulnerability scanner or something!". The problem with google dorks is that the first like 100 pages of each dork are most likely all already hacked, as I've found that to be the case before. Unless you can find some new, 0day dork, google dorks leave you SOL.

So, how do you guys get practice/find targets/hack your first server/computer?

Thanks a ton.