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Using technology in business is essential. And the larger the size of the company, the more complex the needs are to protect the entire network system. After all, data exchange is becoming increasingly constant and, with this, the risks of malicious intrusions that can put the business at risk increase.
To keep the company properly protected, it is critical to perform test applications that find and correct vulnerabilities in systems. This is how information security will always be protected against the most diverse types of attacks – even those that have been developed recently.
PenTest is perfect for this kind of challenge. And that's what we're going to talk about next. Check out!
What is PenTest?
Derived from the term Penetration Test,which in translation for Portuguese can be something like "Intrusion Tests" or "Intrusion Tests", PenTest brings together a set of techniques and tools that have as their main objective to find security flaws in technology systems.
The solution works as a kind of hacker attack simulation at different levels, and aims to understand what would be the main technological vulnerabilities for the company if it goes through this type of scenario.
Professionals who work with PenTest, called combsters or ethical hackers,work in several stages, such as:
- Analysis of the company's data architecture system;
- Description of possible failures;
- Understanding the habits of network use by directors and managers;
- Among other possibilities that increase the company's vulnerability to possible attacks.
For all this are professionals with deep knowledge in operating systems and computer networks.
Briefly, at the end of each stage of its analyses, the comb generates reports with indications of security measures that should be adopted as soon as possible by the company.
What are the types of PenTest?
PenTest can be performed in three main ways to "hack" to test the system of the company they are working for:
White Box
It is a type of test in which the comb ter will know in advance some points about the structure of the company, such as network mapping, firewalls and the range of IPs. Thus, there is greater agility for the tests to be performed. The downside is that the scenario is further away than they would be actual attacks.
For this test, it is common for the professional auditor to be adapted as if he were a professional of the company, since he will use tools such as email account and access to networks to understand what are the internal vulnerabilities of the business.
Black Box
It is a type of test in which combsters have no knowledge about the company's technological infrastructure. The main idea is to simulate the actual conditions of an attack on computer networks.
In this case, the audit takes longer, since there will be a greater need for an initial analysis, with research on the main characteristics of the company, its architecture, infrastructure, among other information that allow gaps for possible attempts to attack.
Gray Box
This type of test is a middle ground between the White Box and the Black Box. In this case, combsters receive little information about where they will audit and in what environment. Also, this information is not enough to make the job easier.
It is interesting for tests that should be optimized, but need to require some level of difficulties that allow different verification steps.
Learn about the phases of PenTest
The audit with PenTest requires different phases that will complement each other until all tests performed provide a complete analysis of vulnerabilities.
Preparation
This is the phase in which the scope of how the test will be performed is defined. Information such as:
- IP addresses that must pass through PenTest;
- What are the actions allowed by the client;
- Days and times allowed for test achievements.
Collection of information
At this moment, the channels and other sources of information available are analyzed. For this, the collection is carried out through OSINT (Open Source Intelligence, which is data from open sources), which includes Google, Bing, Yahoo and other sources of public information, such as social networks, for example.
Network mapping
Using DNS information, the comb performs complete network mapping to understand what is part of the structure.
Through this mapping, it is possible to have important data about the network topology, what are the main servers, the types of operating systems most used, the IP and the number of devices used in the network.
Enumeration of services
This is the step in which specific tools are used to scan open ports on discovered machines and IPs. The purpose of this scan is to understand which systems are used on the Internet and the internal network, in addition to knowing which software is being used.
Vulnerability analysis
After enumerating the ports, software, and system type, a scanner integrated into a database that identifies potential vulnerabilities is used.
Exploiting failures
In this phase exploits (specific code that look for flaws) are performed to exploit points of vulnerabilities previously encountered.
Examples of these vulnerabilities include: remote access without the appropriate authentications of permissions and passwords that are easy to detect by attackers.
Post-operation of failures
Finally, information about the system that combsters "invaded" is grouped together, generating a full report in which they recommend corrections necessary to protect the computer network from the business.
PenTest processes is with bugScout
bugScout is one of the leading audit firms on technological security flaws in the country.
Working with a professional group involving ethical hackers and security auditors, bugScout is always one step ahead to prevent cybercrime attempts.
With a lightweight, 100% sonarqube-integrated platform, bugScout promotes complete and versable source code audits, detecting any points of vulnerability. For this, there are more than 5,600 security rules and more than 35 programming languages.
Request a demo of the platform and learn more about bugScout's PenTest solutions to ensure all protection for your business!
