Cyber Security Penetration Testing

🛡️ Cyber Security Penetration Testing (Pentesting) Complete Guide

In Cyber Security Penetration Testing (Pentesting) is the legal and controlled way of hacking systems to find security weaknesses before real attackers do.

👉 In short:

Pentesting = Attack like a hacker, think like a defender

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration Testing is a simulated cyber attack performed on:

  • Networks

  • Web applications

  • APIs

  • Servers

  • Wi-Fi systems

to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and security gaps.

✔ Performed with written permission
✔ Used by companies, banks, governments

 Why Penetration Testing is Important

  • Finds real exploitable vulnerabilities

  • Prevents data breaches

  • Protects money & reputation

  • Meets compliance (ISO, PCI-DSS)

  • Improves overall cyber defense

📌 Scanners show issues, pentesting proves impact

 Types of Penetration Testing

Type Description
Network Pentest Routers, servers, firewalls
Web App Pentest Websites, portals, APIs
Wi-Fi Pentest Wireless networks
Cloud Pentest AWS, Azure, GCP
Mobile App Pentest Android / iOS apps
Social Engineering Phishing, awareness testing

 Penetration Testing Approaches

🔵 Black Box Testing

  • No internal information

  • Attacker-like view

🟡 Grey Box Testing

  • Partial knowledge

  • Realistic scenario

🟢 White Box Testing

  • Full access (code, architecture)

  • Deep security analysis

 Penetration Testing Methodology (Step-by-Step)

1️⃣ Planning & Scope

  • Permission

  • Define targets

  • Define rules

2️⃣ Reconnaissance (Information Gathering)

  • IPs, domains, subdomains

  • Technologies used

  • Entry points

📌 Passive + Active recon

3️⃣ Scanning & Enumeration

  • Open ports

  • Running services

  • Versions

📌 Attack surface mapping

4️⃣ Vulnerability Analysis

  • Identify weaknesses

  • Match CVEs

  • OWASP issues

5️⃣ Exploitation

  • Prove vulnerability is exploitable

  • Gain limited access

⚠️ Controlled & ethical

6️⃣ Post-Exploitation

  • Privilege escalation (if allowed)

  • Impact analysis

7️⃣ Reporting (Most Important 📄)

  • Vulnerability details

  • Risk level

  • Proof of concept

  • Remediation steps

📌 No report = no pentest value

 Common Pentesting Tools (Awareness)

Tool Purpose
Kali Linux Pentesting OS
Nmap Network scanning
Burp Suite Web app testing
Metasploit Exploitation
Wireshark Packet analysis
Nikto Web server scan
SQLmap SQL injection testing

⚠️ Use only on authorized systems

 Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Scanning

Pentesting Vulnerability Scan
Manual + automated Automated
Exploits issues Lists issues
Real-world impact Theoretical
Requires expertise Tool-based

🔹 Penetration Testing Standards

Pentesting often follows standards like:

  • OWASP (Web apps)

  • PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)

  • NIST

  • OSSTMM

 Real-World Example

🔍 Scan finds SQL Injection
⚠️ Pentest exploits it
📂 Database accessed
💥 Business impact proven

➡️ Company fixes issue immediately

📌 Proof forces action

 Legal & Ethical Rules ⚖️

❌ No permission = illegal hacking
✅ Written authorization is mandatory
❌ No data damage
✅ Follow scope strictly

📌 Ethics define a pentester

🎯 Career Path in Penetration Testing

You can become:

  • Penetration Tester

  • Ethical Hacker

  • Red Team Member

  • Bug Bounty Hunter

  • Security Consultant

📌 Highly paid & in demand 🔥

🧠 Key Takeaways

✔ Pentesting finds real risks
✔ Methodology matters more than tools
✔ Reporting is critical
✔ Ethics are non-negotiable

🛡️ A good pentester improves security, not fear

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