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Penetration Testing: An Essential Guide

September 1, 2023
Posted by: Vijay
Category: Penetration Testing

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing, often referred to as “pen testing” or “ethical hacking,” is a simulated cyberattack on a system, network, or application to evaluate its security. Its main purpose is to identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and gaps in an environment that real attackers might exploit.

Who Performs Pen Tests?

Professional ethical hackers, cybersecurity firms, or in-house security teams conduct penetration tests. These individuals are trained experts in the field of cybersecurity, possessing the skills of potential attackers but using them for a constructive purpose.

Types of Pen Tests

Open-box Pen Test (White Box): In this test, the ethical hacker is given prior knowledge or full disclosure of the system they are about to attack. This might include architecture diagrams, source code, and credentials.
Closed-box Pen Test (Black Box): The tester has no prior knowledge of the system. This replicates a real-world scenario where the attacker knows little about the target.
Covert Pen Test (Gray Box): In this approach, limited information is provided to the hacker, simulating an attack by someone with partial knowledge of the system.
External Pen Test: Focuses on the assets of a company that are visible on the internet like the website, web applications, and network perimeter.
Internal Pen Test: This type simulates an inside attack, where the attacker has access to the internal network.

How is a Typical Pen Test Carried Out?

A standard penetration test follows a structured approach:

Planning: Define the scope of the attack, including systems to be addressed and testing methods to be used.
Reconnaissance: Gather as much information as possible about the target system to find ways to infiltrate it.
Attack: Exploit identified vulnerabilities.
Maintaining Access: Determine if the system is vulnerable to long-term exploits.
Reporting: Document findings, results, and recommendations.

Aftermath of a Pen Test

Once the pen test is concluded, the organization should prioritize the findings and patch the vulnerabilities. A retest can then be performed to ensure all vulnerabilities were addressed.

FAQ

What are the 5 stages of penetration testing?
1. Planning
2. Reconnaissance
3. Attack
4. Maintaining Access
5. Reporting
What is penetration testing with an example?

For instance, a bank may employ a pen tester to simulate a cyberattack on its online banking system. The tester might find that they can bypass the login and access user accounts. This finding would be reported, so the bank can address the vulnerability.

What type of testing is penetration testing?

Penetration testing is a type of security testing focused on identifying vulnerabilities, threats, and risks in a system.

What is penetration testing in QA?

In Quality Assurance (QA), penetration testing is used to ensure that the application or system is secure from cyberattacks, emphasizing quality and protection from threats.

Why is it called a penetration test?

It’s called “penetration” because it involves trying to “penetrate” or break into the system being tested.

Why use penetration testing tools?

These tools automate certain tasks, help identify vulnerabilities faster, and make the testing process more efficient.

Who performs penetration testing?

Professional ethical hackers, cybersecurity firms, or in-house security teams.

What materials are used in penetration testing?

Various tools and software, such as Metasploit, Nmap, and Wireshark, are used. The choice of tools depends on the scope and nature of the test.

In conclusion, penetration testing is a vital component of a holistic cybersecurity strategy. By simulating cyberattacks, businesses can better understand their vulnerabilities and make informed decisions about improving their security posture.

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