Penetration Test
A penetration test is a type of security audit. It attempts to compromise a website or computer system by leveraging known vulnerabilities to gain access to its sensitive data. It is generally performed by an outside contractor who is referred to as an ethical hacker. Such hackers are paid to perform the testing in exchange for permission. The main purpose of such audits is to increase the security of a website or computer system. The process of conducting a penetration test is a multistage process.
In the first phase of the penetration test, the tester aims to discover the response of the target system to an intrusion attempt. The pen tester uses specialized software to scan application code for vulnerabilities, usually through automated penetration test tools. The testing process involves two types of analysis: static and dynamic. Static analysis looks at the application code while dynamic analysis analyzes the code as it runs. Once the penetration test has completed, the tester must discover the network systems, including devices, servers, and hosts.
The second phase is the exploitation phase, where the tester attempts to gain access to sensitive information by exploiting weaknesses. This phase requires a software tool that can be deployed easily and quickly, and is capable of reverifying previous red flags. The tool should also include automated features to streamline the process and generate detailed logs. This stage should not take too long for a penetration test. And remember, there is no such thing as a perfect pen test.
The Process of Conducting a Penetration Test
When a pen tester is hired to perform a penetration test, he or she should have a plan. A functional test plan should include positive tests and negative tests. Some organizations may also include a red team for testing and monitoring purposes. While the red team will perform the tests, the blue team is a group that consists of employees from a business’ own security department. They are trained to detect any vulnerabilities in the business network and to make necessary corrections.
The process of conducting a pen test begins with a reconnaissance phase, during which the ethical hacker gathers information and data to plan an attack. A pen test involves a variety of tools that a pen tester uses to gain access to a target system. Typically, the test is focused on gaining access to a target system and maintaining that access. While the results of a pen test will be unique, the entire process is the same.
Penetration testing involves two basic steps: defining the scope of the test and identifying the vulnerabilities. Then, after identifying the vulnerabilities, the penetration tester performs a vulnerability scan. This process involves using tools that perform static and dynamic analysis. One of the most useful tools for this task is a static analysis tool, which scans the entire application code in one pass. The dynamic analysis tool, on the other hand, allows the tester to analyze the code of the application while it is running.