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Introduction: The Basics of Security Testing

Imagine your computer network is like a house. You wouldn't want to discover its weaknesses by experiencing an actual burglary. Instead, you'd prefer to know these weak spots in advance so you can fix them. Two popular methods for identifying these weaknesses are Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Scanning.

Penetration Testing: The "Burglar" Test

Penetration Testing is like hiring a skilled person to pretend to be a burglar and try to break into your house, in a controlled manner. The tester mimics what a real hacker would do but stops before causing actual damage.

Simulating Real-world Hacking

While performing a penetration test, the tester tries to break in just like a hacker would. They try to deceive, trick, and exploit the system to find its vulnerabilities.

A Hacker’s Perspective

A penetration tester looks at your security from the outside, trying to find the best ways to break in, just like a hacker would.

Unannounced vs. Announced Tests

Sometimes you know when the test is happening (announced), and sometimes you don’t (unannounced). Unannounced tests are more realistic because they catch the system off guard, similar to a real attack.

Skills Matter

The effectiveness of a penetration test heavily depends on the tester's skills. They need to think like a hacker and have the technical ability to exploit vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Scanning: The "Home Inspection" Test

Vulnerability Scanning is more like a home inspection; it identifies known issues like a cracked wall or a leaking pipe. It's less detailed than a penetration test but is easier to perform and can be automated.

Continuous Monitoring

Unlike penetration testing, which is usually a one-off or periodic exercise, vulnerability scanning can be continuous. It routinely checks for known issues and generates reports.

Different Approaches to Penetration Testing

There are various ways to conduct a penetration test, such as white-box testing where the tester knows everything about the system or black-box testing where they know nothing.

Tools and Manual Techniques

Penetration testers use a range of tools like Metasploit for exploiting vulnerabilities, but they also employ manual techniques based on their skills and creativity.

Always with Consent

One crucial thing to note is that penetration tests should always be conducted with explicit consent. It's illegal to test someone else's system without permission.

Aligning Security Measures

Both methods help you align your security measures with the actual risks and vulnerabilities. You get a clearer picture of what needs immediate fixing and what doesn't.

Bypassing Security Controls

During a penetration test, the tester may use alternative pathways, overwhelm controls, or directly exploit vulnerabilities to bypass security measures.

Purpose and Safety Measures

The main goal is to identify flaws and assess how effective current security measures are. However, the tests are designed to be safe and should not cause irreparable damage or downtime. Contingencies are in place to ensure this.

Prioritize Safety

Always have a backup plan or a "kill switch" during testing to ensure no irreparable damage is done. Your penetration tester should always prioritize safety.

Conclusion