Penetration testing is authorized, simulated attacks to find vulnerabilities and weaknesses before malicious actors do.
Testing Phases
- Reconnaissance: Gather intelligence about the target
- Scanning: Identify live hosts and open ports
- Enumeration: Extract detailed information about services
- Exploitation: Attempt to compromise systems
- Post-exploitation: Analyze impact and maintain access
- Reporting: Document findings with proof of concept and remediation
Common Tools
- NMAP: Network scanning and enumeration
- Burp Suite: Web application testing
- Metasploit: Exploitation framework
- Wireshark: Network traffic analysis
- Ghidra: Binary analysis and reverse engineering
Responsible Testing
- Always have written authorization
- Follow rules of engagement
- Report findings responsibly
- Maintain confidentiality