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Penetration Testing Assignment

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Adnan Shanto
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34 views

Penetration Testing Assignment

Uploaded by

Adnan Shanto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Penetration Testing: An Overview

Introduction
In today’s cybersecurity landscape, penetration testing (pen testing) is essential for
assessing and improving an organization's defense against cyberattacks. By simulating real-
world attacks, pen testing helps identify security weaknesses before malicious actors can
exploit them.

What is Penetration Testing?


Penetration testing is the process of simulating cyberattacks to identify and exploit
vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or applications. Unlike vulnerability scanning, pen
testing actively seeks to exploit these vulnerabilities to assess their severity. The primary
goal is to discover weak points and provide recommendations to enhance security.

Types of Penetration Testing


1. Black Box Testing: The tester has no prior knowledge of the system. This simulates an
external attack by someone without insider access.
2. White Box Testing: The tester has full knowledge of the system’s internal structure. This
type is more thorough and simulates insider threats.
3. Gray Box Testing: A hybrid approach where the tester has partial knowledge, simulating
an attacker with some level of access.

Phases of Penetration Testing


1. Planning and Reconnaissance: Information gathering on the target system using tools like
Nmap.
2. Scanning: Identifying open ports, services, and vulnerabilities.
3. Gaining Access: Exploiting vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, XSS) to breach the system.
4. Maintaining Access: Simulating how an attacker might remain in the system undetected.
5. Reporting: Documenting vulnerabilities, providing risk assessments, and offering
remediation strategies.

Penetration Testing Methodologies


1. External Pen Testing: Focuses on vulnerabilities in public-facing assets (e.g., web
servers).
2. Internal Pen Testing: Simulates attacks from within the organization’s network.
3. Social Engineering Testing: Tests the organization’s human defenses by attempting to
manipulate employees.
4. Physical Pen Testing: Evaluates physical security measures, such as door locks and access
control systems.

Pen Testing Tools


Common tools include:
• Nmap: For network mapping and port scanning.
• Metasploit: A framework for exploiting vulnerabilities.
• Burp Suite: A tool for testing web application security.
• Wireshark: Used to capture and analyze network traffic.

Legal and Ethical Considerations


Pen testing requires legal authorization before testing can begin. Ethical hackers must
follow guidelines to avoid damaging systems or exposing sensitive data. Pen testers should
also ensure compliance with laws like GDPR and HIPAA to protect privacy and data
integrity.

Conclusion
Penetration testing is a critical process for identifying security weaknesses and ensuring an
organization’s resilience against cyberattacks. By following structured methodologies and
using proper tools, pen testing helps organizations protect their assets and improve their
cybersecurity defenses.

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