Network Pentest Techniques: What Are They

What is a network pentest? A pentest, short for penetration test, is an authorized simulated attack on a computer system or network to identify security vulnerabilities. The goal of a pentest is to assess the security posture of the target by identifying and exploiting any weaknesses in the defenses. Pentest can be carried out manually or using automated tools and can be performed on individual systems or networks, or as part of a wider assessment. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of pentesting techniques and methods, and look at some of the best approaches for carrying out a network pentest.

What Are Network Pentest Techniques?

The network pentest techniques are a set of tools and approaches designed to help identify and evaluate weaknesses in network systems. Typically, these techniques are used by cyber security professionals to assess the security of company networks and computer systems with the end goal being identification and mitigation of potential threats that could be exploited by hackers. This is a crucial part of any computer or network security since such an exploit could result in unauthorized access to important data or other sensitive resources. 

This can involve scanning and probing a network system for weaknesses, auditing individual computers, or simulating attacks on the system to understand how an intruder might gain entry. Using the network pentest technique helps organizations stay ahead of potential threats by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

Types of Network Penetration Techniques

When it comes to making sure your business is secure, There are many different types of pen testing techniques that can be used to assess the security of a system or network. Some of the most common methods include:

1. Social engineering: This involves using deception and manipulation to fool people into giving you access to sensitive information or systems.
2. Dumpster diving: This is where you rummage through someone’s trash in hopes of finding discarded documents or other items that could give you insight into their company or operations.
3. Physical access: This type of penetration technique relies on having physical access to a facility or system to bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access.
4. Network sniffing: This involves using special software to monitor network traffic to identify vulnerable systems or collect sensitive data.
5. Password cracking: This is a common way of gaining access to systems or accounts by using specialized software to guess or brute force passwords where passwords or other login credential are guessed using common patterns. 
6. SQL injection: Injecting malicious code into database query fields to extract data or gain access to restricted areas. SQL injection attacks can be very difficult to detect, as they often leave no trace in the application’s logs. Additionally, they can be very difficult to prevent, as they often exploit vulnerabilities that are not easily fixed.
7. Cross-site scripting: Injecting malicious code into web pages to execute unauthorized commands or steal information.
8. Denial of service: Flooding a system with requests to overload it and prevent legitimate users from accessing it.

Each of these methods can be used in different ways, and the best approach for carrying out a pentest will depend on the specific goals and objectives of the assessment.

Best Network Pentest Technique

The best network pentest technique is the one that is best suited to the specific goals and objectives of the assessment. Social engineering, for example, is often used to gain access to sensitive information or systems that would otherwise be difficult to reach. Dumpster diving can be useful for finding discarded documents or other items that could give you insight into a company’s operations. Whichever method or combination of methods you choose, the goal should be to identify potential vulnerabilities and assess the risks they pose to your organization.

Tools With The Best Network Pentesting Techniques

In this section we will mention some of the tools that provide the right combination of network pentesting techniques uniquely catered to your organization’s security needs and benefit.

1. Astra’s Pentest Suite
2. Nmap
3. BurpSuite
4. Wireshark
5. Metasploit

Conclusion

Network Pentesting is an important part of any security strategy, and it’s something that all businesses should consider. By regularly testing your systems and networks, you can identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited and mitigate the risks posed to your organization. When it comes to choosing the best network pentest technique, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

We hope that you may have got adequate knowledge on the network pentest techniques from this, for better results, use the right combination of network pentesting techniques well suited to your company’s objectives. 

Author Bio-

Ankit Pahuja is the Marketing Lead & Evangelist at Astra Security. Ever since his adulthood (literally, he was 20 years old), he began finding vulnerabilities in websites & network infrastructures. Starting his professional career as a software engineer at one of the unicorns enables him in bringing “engineering in marketing” to reality. Working actively in the cybersecurity space for more than 2 years makes him the perfect T-shaped marketing professional. Ankit is an avid speaker in the security space and has delivered various talks in top companies, early-age startups, and online events.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankit-pahuja/