Penetration Testing Methodologies: An Introduction

📚 Penetration Testing Methodologies: A Quick Study Guide

• 🕵️‍♀️ Definition: Penetration testing, or pentesting, simulates a cyberattack to evaluate a system's security.
• 🛡️ Goal: Identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them.
• 📝 Phases (Simplified):
  • 👣 Reconnaissance: Gathering information about the target.
  • 🔎 Scanning: Identifying open ports and services.
  • ⚔️ Gaining Access: Exploiting vulnerabilities.
  • 🔑 Maintaining Access: Establishing a foothold in the system.
  • 📊 Reporting: Documenting findings and recommendations.
• 🤝 Types: Black Box, White Box, and Grey Box testing.
• 💡 Key Principle: Always obtain explicit permission before conducting any penetration testing activities.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which phase of penetration testing involves gathering information about the target system?
   1. Reconnaissance
   2. Scanning
   3. Exploitation
   4. Reporting
2. What type of penetration testing provides the tester with no prior knowledge of the system?
   1. White Box
   2. Grey Box
   3. Black Box
   4. Clear Box
3. What is the primary goal of penetration testing?
   1. To crash the target system.
   2. To identify and exploit vulnerabilities.
   3. To install malware.
   4. To steal data.
4. Which of the following is NOT a typical phase of penetration testing?
   1. Reconnaissance
   2. Scanning
   3. System Development
   4. Reporting
5. In penetration testing, what does 'maintaining access' refer to?
   1. Keeping the system patched and updated.
   2. Ensuring the tester can re-enter the system without re-exploiting.
   3. Constantly scanning the system for new vulnerabilities.
   4. Reporting vulnerabilities to the vendor.
6. Which type of pentesting provides the tester with partial knowledge of the target system?
   1. Black Box
   2. White Box
   3. Grey Box
   4. Transparent Box
7. Why is explicit permission crucial before conducting a penetration test?
   1. To avoid legal repercussions.
   2. To ensure the system owner is aware of the testing.
   3. To comply with ethical guidelines.
   4. All of the above.