When it comes to penetration testing, there are basically two main types of penetration testing. First is what is known as a passive probe or what is sometimes described as a black hat test. In this type of penetration testing, the tester acts in a passive manner and does not utilize any hacking methods. For example, if a hacker is trying to get into your network and finds a weak spot, they will try to exploit this weakness and find a way into your system. This is what is called a passive probe and it is often conducted by hackers looking to gain access to sensitive information.
The other main type of penetration testing is known as a black hat test. In this type of penetration testing, the tester will utilize different methods of attack that might be considered unethical. For example, they might utilize what is called a fuzzing attack in which they try to determine what vulnerable software components on your system are actually functioning normally. In some cases, the testers could also use what is called a Trojans as a way to infiltrate your network.
Different companies conduct their own penetration tests based upon their own set of industry standards and best practices. These companies may employ black hat or white hat techniques. There are even consultants that help IT professionals determine which techniques their organizations need to use. However, no matter what methodology IT professionals choose to perform these tests, one thing can be said: each test should be conducted with the end goal in mind. This means that the testers should not be too intrusive, they should only be able to show the potential security issues their tests can uncover, and they should also only reveal the data they collected, keeping all confidential.
Types Of Penetration Test
One of the biggest challenges IT professionals have faced is how to conduct effective pen tests and network penetration tests on a corporate network. Pen testing is usually considered the initial step of a comprehensive penetration tests program. It is usually performed by a skilled professional or team of professionals who carry out a series of testing techniques in order to pinpoint and reveal any flaws that exist in a specific application’s overall security posture. Depending on the goals of a company, pen tests can be conducted both on an on-site and off-site basis. In addition, some companies still choose to conduct a pen test on a regular basis using the same methodology.
When conducting pen tests, it is crucial that a business follow industry standards and best practices. In most cases, the results of a pen test can only be as good as the skills and experience of the testers. In order for a company to ensure it conducts ethical hacking, the team should consist of people who are knowledgeable about both security testing and ethical hacking. For instance, an assessment team should consist of people who are trained in network security testing, computer forensics, pen testing, penetration testing, and Ethical hacker training.
While the goal of a penetration test may appear to be primarily to detect and disclose holes or flaws in your network infrastructure, these tests could also be used to prevent or stop unauthorized access. For instance, some tests could find flaws that could lead to data theft or system intrusion. Other tests could identify weak spots in the network that could lead to an attack. Regardless of the specific field of network testing that you work in, you need to keep in mind that all tests are performed with a purpose. If the goal of a penetration test were simply to discover flaws that could lead to data loss or system intrusion, it would be ineffective and a waste of time.
Tags: types of penetration test, software, system security, organization, pretexting
Raymond Dunn is the founder and driving force behind Hackateer.com, a premier source for cybersecurity news and tutorials since 2009. With a mission to empower both novices and experts in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, Raymond has built Hackateer into a trusted platform renowned for its comprehensive industry insights, hands-on tutorials, and expert analysis.
