Penetration Testing Introduction: Scanning & Reconnaissance by Nicholas Handy

Learning Goals

• What pen testing is and how it is used
• Penetration testing methodology
• Penetration testing environment — kali linux & virtual machine tools
• Information gathering — scanning & reconnaissance
• Information gathering tools — nmap, wireshark, google dorking etc.

Reminder: Attacking systems you do not have permission to attack is illegal. Only perform attacks on machines and networks you own or have permission for.

Current State Cybersecurity

Over the past year or so hacking has gained mainstream attention from some high profile attacks. Theses attacks such as the Equifax data breach, Wanna Cry ransomware and many others have cost companies millions of dollars. With so much attention placed on data breaches, questions have been brewing of how safe user data is with each company. As long as these attacks keep happening companies will have to place more and more emphasis on their security procedures. Within cybersecurity penetration testing (pen testing) is one of the ways of mitigate attacks by plugging up security holes.

What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing is a process used by companies to test the security of their software and infrastructure. In penetration testing, a group of security professionals act as attackers in order to....