What are the five network penetration testing techniques?
Most of the vulnerabilities can be identified and remediated by a vulnerability assessment. The next step is a network penetration test wherein the risk assessment is validated with the goal of enhancing a business security posture. The success of a network penetration test is determined through the four crucial steps. The first step is gathering information and ensuring that the client expectations are clarified. The second step is discovery and reconnaissance. The third step is where the penetration test is performed and the fourth step is where remediation and recommendations are reported. In this article, you will get to know about the five network penetration techniques.
What is Network penetration testing?
It is the process of identifying security vulnerabilities in systems and applications by intentionally using different malicious techniques to assess the lack of responses or the network security. It is also known as “pen test” and focuses on identifying network vulnerabilities. Test automation approach can be used as and when required.
Following are the five network penetration testing techniques:
1. DDoS Attack: A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a type of attack in which multiple computers are used by the hacker to flood a target with traffic, thereby causing it to crash.
2. SQL Injection: It is a web application exploitation method wherein security flaws in websites are exposed. Malicious code is inserted into an input field on a website and when the data is processed by the site, the execution of code takes place and the hacker is given access to sensitive information.
3. Man-in-the-Middle attack: the hacker is in between two people having online conversations. Through this technique, the hacker might eavesdrop on conversations or steal data.
4. Spoofing: In this technique, someone is deceived into thinking you are someone else. For example, an email is being sent that may appear to be your employer asking for confidential information. Text can also be used for carrying out this type of activity and it is known as “text spoofing.”
5. Social Engineering: In this method, hackers try to gain access to a network. People are tricked in such a way that they provide their valuable information of passwords.
Benefits of performing network penetration testing:
1. The network baseline needs to be understood: The identification of network’s baseline is done through the use of scanning tools like vulnerability scanners, network scanners and port scanners. When a business owner knows about the network’s baseline then the owner will be able to understand the working of security controls and existing vulnerabilities being identified.
2. Security postures and controls needs to be tested: The security controls are enabled by the network penetration testing to the ultimate test. The goal is to perform network breach and exploit those vulnerabilities that need improvement.
3. Network and data breaches are prevented: When a penetration test has been performed successfully, the results will in turn assist a business owner in adjusting or designing their mitigation strategies and risk analysis. Businesses will get the necessary help from future breaches being prevented because a real-world attack is simulated by network penetration testing so that an attempt can be made to break into the systems.
4. The system and network security is ensured: The system security is ensured in a variety of ways. For example, a mature security strategy is adopted by a business with strong external defences, but, internal defences such as host-based Intrusion Prevention System are used so that attacks can be prevented from trusted hosts on the network.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing network penetration testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a leading software testing services company that will provide you strategic advice and support from a testing standpoint, keeping in perspective your business and project specific requirements.
