Penetration Testing Types: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, cyber threats are more prevalent than ever. It’s not a matter of if a cyber attack will occur, but when. As a result, companies must take proactive measures to protect their assets, and one of the best ways to do if you know about penetration testing types.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about penetration testing, including its definition, types, benefits, steps involved, cybersecurity threats to consider, and things to keep in mind before starting a penetration test.

Definition of Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is the process of simulating a cyber attack on a company’s network or application to identify vulnerabilities and assess the security posture. The objective is to identify security weaknesses before a hacker can exploit them. Penetration testing is an essential part of a company’s cyber security strategy.

Types of Penetration Testing

1. Network Penetration Testing
2. Web Application Penetration Testing
3. Wireless Penetration Testing
4. Social Engineering Penetration Testing
5. Mobile Application Penetration Testing
6. Physical Penetration Testing

Let’s take a closer look at each type of penetration testing.

1. Network Penetration Testing

Network penetration testing is the most common type of penetration testing. It involves identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in a network’s infrastructure, such as servers, routers, and switches. Network penetration testing is often performed from the perspective of an external attacker attempting to gain unauthorized access to a network.

2. Web Application Penetration Testing

Web application penetration testing involves testing the security of web applications, such as online shopping carts or content management systems. It’s a vital type of penetration testing since web applications are often the most accessible part of a company’s network.

3. Wireless Penetration Testing

Wireless penetration testing is the process of identifying vulnerabilities in wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Wireless networks are especially vulnerable to attacks, as they can be easily accessed from outside the building.

4. Social Engineering Penetration Testing

Social engineering penetration testing involves testing an organization’s employees’ awareness of social engineering attacks, such as phishing emails or phone scams. The goal is to educate employees on how to identify and avoid these attacks.

5. Mobile Application Penetration Testing

Mobile application penetration testing involves testing the security of mobile applications, such as those used for online banking or email. As mobile devices become increasingly common, mobile application penetration testing is becoming more critical.

6. Physical Penetration Testing

Physical penetration testing involves testing the physical security of an organization’s premises, such as data centers or offices. It’s an essential type of penetration testing since physical access to a network can bypass many of the security measures in place.

Main Penetration Testing Types: White Box vs Black Box vs Grey Box

There are three main types of penetration testing:

1. Blackbox
2. Whitebox
3. Greybox.

Blackbox Testing

This type of testing involves the tester having no prior knowledge of the company’s network or application. The tester will attempt to simulate a real-world attack without any information about the system. The goal is to determine how an external hacker would attempt to penetrate the system.

Whitebox Testing

This type of testing involves the tester having complete knowledge of the company’s network or application, including access to the source code. The tester will attempt to identify vulnerabilities in the code. The goal is to determine if there are any weaknesses in the code that an attacker could exploit.

Greybox Testing

This type of testing involves the tester having partial knowledge of the company’s network or application. The tester will attempt to identify vulnerabilities in the system using limited information. The goal is to simulate an attack by an insider who has some knowledge of the system.

Each type of penetration testing has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, blackbox testing is more realistic and provides a better understanding of how an external attacker would attempt to penetrate the system. However, whitebox testing is more thorough and can identify vulnerabilities that blackbox testing may miss.

Benefits of Penetration Testing

There are several benefits of penetration testing, including:

• Identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by hackers – Penetration testing can identify vulnerabilities that may have been overlooked during regular security assessments.
• Assessing the effectiveness of current security measures – Penetration testing can identify weaknesses in current security measures and help improve them.
• Enhancing the overall security posture of the organization – Penetration testing can help organizations improve their security posture by identifying weaknesses and taking corrective actions.
• Meeting regulatory compliance requirements – Penetration testing is often required by regulatory bodies such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and others.
• Avoiding financial losses due to data breaches – Penetration testing can help avoid financial losses due to data breaches by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Steps Involved in a Penetration Test

There are several steps involved in a penetration test, including:

1. Planning and preparation – This involves defining the scope of the test, setting goals, identifying potential risks, and selecting the testing team.
2. Scanning and enumeration – This involves scanning the network or application to identify potential vulnerabilities and enumerating the services and systems in use.
3. Vulnerability assessment – This involves using automated tools and manual techniques to identify and verify vulnerabilities.
4. Exploitation – This involves attempting to exploit the identified vulnerabilities to gain access to the system.
5. Post-exploitation – This involves conducting further testing to identify additional vulnerabilities and assess the overall security posture of the system.
6. Reporting – This involves documenting the findings of the penetration test and providing recommendations for addressing identified vulnerabilities.

Cyber Security Threats to Consider

When performing a penetration test, it’s important to consider the various cyber security threats that exist. Here are some of the most common threats to consider:

1. Phishing attacks – Phishing attacks are designed to trick users into divulging sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card information.
2. Malware attacks – Malware attacks involve the installation of malicious software onto a system to gain unauthorized access or cause damage.
3. Denial-of-service attacks – Denial-of-service attacks involve overwhelming a system or network with traffic to render it unusable.
4. Password attacks – Password attacks involve attempting to crack passwords to gain unauthorized access to a system.
5. Insider threats – Insider threats involve individuals with access to the system or network who intentionally or unintentionally cause harm.

By considering these threats, the penetration testing team can simulate real-world attacks and identify vulnerabilities that may be overlooked during regular security assessments.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Starting a Penetration Test

Before starting a penetration test, there are several things to keep in mind:

1. Define the scope of the test – It’s important to define the scope of the test to avoid unintended consequences.
2. Get permission – Penetration testing should never be conducted without obtaining permission from the organization.
3. Understand the legal implications – It’s important to understand the legal implications of conducting a penetration test and ensure that all necessary legal documentation is in place.
4. Minimize disruption – The testing team should take steps to minimize disruption to the organization’s operations.
5. Use a reputable testing team – It’s important to use a reputable testing team with experience in conducting penetration tests.

Conclusion

Penetration testing is an essential part of a company’s cybersecurity strategy. By identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by hackers, assessing the effectiveness of current security measures, and enhancing the overall security posture of the organization, companies can avoid financial losses due to data breaches and meet regulatory compliance requirements. By following the steps involved in a penetration test, considering the various cyber security threats that exist, and keeping in mind the things to keep in mind before starting a penetration test, companies can ensure that their networks and applications are secure.

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Read More: How To Become A Hacker Guide For Beginners