Getting started with penetration testing

Penetration testing, often referred to as "pen testing" or "ethical hacking," is a crucial practice in cybersecurity. This article will guide you through the fundamentals.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing is the practice of testing a computer system, network, or web application to find security vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. It's a proactive approach to security.

Key Principles

1. Authorisation: Always get written permission before testing
2. Scope: Clearly define what you're allowed to test
3. Documentation: Document everything you find
4. Responsible Disclosure: Report vulnerabilities responsibly

Essential Tools

Reconnaissance

• Nmap: Network scanning and discovery
• Recon-ng: Web reconnaissance framework
• Shodan: Search engine for Internet-connected devices

Vulnerability Assessment

• Nessus: Comprehensive vulnerability scanner
• OpenVAS: Open-source vulnerability scanner
• Burp Suite: Web application security testing

Exploitation

• Metasploit: Penetration testing framework
• SQLMap: Automated SQL injection tool
• John the Ripper: Password cracking tool

The Penetration Testing Process

1. Planning and Reconnaissance
2. Scanning
3. Gaining Access
4. Maintaining Access
5. Analysis and Reporting

Conclusion

Penetration testing is an essential skill for cybersecurity professionals. Start with legal, authorised practice environments like Hack The Box or TryHackMe.

Remember: Always test ethically and legally!