Testing your own network at home
Is the ideal format would be to have two computers on your own network, one using an unpatched xp computer and the other using linux.
Then use the tools to get into the xp unpatched pc .
Would the attack traffic go directly from one pc to the other pc via the router avoiding the internet.
Would the attack go through my isp over the internet and then back to my target computer on my home network? Wouldnt the isp have somekind of filter to stop people using programs on its network or a team of computer professionals monitoring the traffic for hacking tools?
If both machines reside within the bounds of your home network, and your router is operating/configured correctly, then all network traffic resulting from your 'attacks' should remain confined to your home network.