The Fundamentals of Penetration Testing.pptx (1).pdf

Penetration testing, often referred to as ethical hacking, is a simulated cyber attack against your computer system to check for exploitable vulnerabilities.

1. The Fundamentals ofThe Fundamentals of
Penetration TestingPenetration TestingPenetration Testing
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2. What is Penetration Testing?
01 02 03
Definition Purpose Types
Penetration testing, often
referred to as ethical
hacking, is a simulated
cyber attack against your
computer system to check
for exploitable
vulnerabilities.
The primary goal of
penetration testing is to
identify security
weaknesses in a system
before malicious hackers
can exploit them.
There are various types of
penetration tests,
including black box, white
box, and gray box testing,
each differing in the level
of knowledge the tester
has about the system.
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3. Risk Mitigation
Regulatory Compliance
Enhanced Security PosturePenetration testing helps organizations identify and address
vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors,
significantly reducing the risk of data breaches. Many industries require regular penetration testing to comply with
regulations and standards, ensuring that organizations meet
necessary security requirements. By regularly conducting penetration tests, organizations can
continuously improve their security measures, leading to a stronger
overall defense against cyber threats.
Importance of Penetration Testing
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4. Key Terminology in Penetration Testing
Vulnerability Exploit Payload
A vulnerability is a weakness in a
system that can be exploited by
attackers to gain unauthorized
access or cause harm.
Identifying vulnerabilities is a
critical step in penetration
testing.
An exploit is a piece of software,
a command, or a sequence of
commands that takes advantage
of a vulnerability to perform
unauthorized actions on a
system. Understanding exploits
helps testers simulate real-world
attacks.
A payload is the part of an
exploit that executes the
intended action on the target
system, such as opening a
backdoor or stealing data.
Knowledge of payloads is
essential for effective penetration
testing strategies.
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5. Types of Testing 1)White Box Testing
Definition
Advantages
LimitationsWhite box testing is a method where the tester has full knowledge of the internal
workings of the application or system, allowing for a thorough examination of its code
and architecture. This approach enables testers to identify vulnerabilities that may not be apparent
through external testing, leading to a more comprehensive security assessment and
improved code quality. While white box testing provides deep insights, it can be time-consuming and may
require specialized skills, making it essential to balance with other testing methods for
effective security evaluation.
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6. 3) Gray Box Testing
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Definition
Advantages
LimitationsGray box testing is a hybrid approach that combines elements of both black box and white box
testing, where the tester has partial knowledge of the internal workings of the system, allowing for
targeted testing. This method provides a balanced perspective, enabling testers to identify vulnerabilities that may be
overlooked in black box testing while still simulating an external attacker's viewpoint for realistic
assessments. Although gray box testing offers valuable insights, it may not uncover all vulnerabilities due to the
limited knowledge of the system, necessitating a combination with other testing methods for thorough
security evaluation.

7. Common Tools Used in Penetration Testing
Network Scanners Exploitation Frameworks Web Application Testing
Tools
Tools like Nmap and Nessus are
essential for discovering devices on
a network, identifying open ports,
and detecting vulnerabilities in
systems.
Metasploit is a widely used
framework that allows penetration
testers to develop and execute
exploit code against a target
system, facilitating the testing of
vulnerabilities.
Tools such as Burp Suite and
OWASP ZAP are designed to
identify security flaws in web
applications, including SQL
injection, cross-site scripting (XSS),
and other common vulnerabilities.
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8. Future Trends in Penetration Testing
Increased Automation
Integration with DevSecOps
Focus on Cloud SecurityThe future of penetration testing will see a rise in automated tools and AI-driven solutions, enabling
faster and more efficient vulnerability assessments while reducing human error. As organizations adopt DevSecOps practices, penetration testing will become an integral part of the
software development lifecycle, ensuring security is prioritized from the outset. With the growing reliance on cloud services, penetration testing will increasingly focus on identifying
vulnerabilities in cloud environments, addressing unique challenges posed by shared resources and
multi-tenancy.
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