Penetration Testing for Networks: How to Prepare

Today, I want to share how to prepare for penetration testing on a corporate network using tools available in Kali Linux. If your company needs support in IT security, I encourage you to reach out for collaboration.

Introduction

I received an assignment from a client to test the security of a large corporate network. As an experienced hacker and security specialist, my task was to conduct advanced penetration testing to uncover potential vulnerabilities and weak points in their systems. In this post, I'll explain how to prepare for this, using Kali Linux.

Step 1: Understanding the Scope of the Assignment

The first step is to thoroughly understand the scope of the assignment. I need to know which systems and networks will be covered by the tests, what the client's goals are, and what limitations and conditions I must adhere to. This allows me to precisely plan my actions and avoid unnecessary problems.

Step 2: Gathering Information

The next step is reconnaissance, or gathering as much information as possible about the target. For this, I use tools available in Kali Linux:

• Nmap: Used for network scanning and detecting open ports, available services, and operating systems.
• Recon-ng: A reconnaissance framework that allows data collection from various sources.

These tools help me get a detailed picture of the network structure and prepare for further actions.

Step 3: Analyzing Discovered Services and Ports

After gathering information, I move on to analyzing the discovered services and ports. At this stage, I check which services are most vulnerable to attacks and what potential vulnerabilities can be exploited. The tools I use here include:

• Nikto: A web server scanner that checks for vulnerabilities in HTTP servers.
• OpenVAS: A vulnerability scanning system that helps identify security flaws.

Step 4: Exploiting Found Vulnerabilities

Once I identify potential vulnerabilities, I move to the exploitation phase. Here, Metasploit Framework comes in handy, allowing the use of discovered vulnerabilities to gain control over the system. I also use:

• Burp Suite: A tool for testing web application security.
• Hydra: A tool for conducting brute force attacks on various network services.

Step 5: Privilege Escalation

If I manage to gain access to the system, the next step is privilege escalation. I use tools like John the Ripper for password cracking and Linux Exploit Suggester to identify local vulnerabilities that can help me gain higher privileges.

Step 6: Reporting and Recommendations

The last but extremely important step is to create a report of the tests conducted. The report should include:

• A detailed description of the detected vulnerabilities.
• Examples of attacks that were carried out.
• Recommendations for fixing the identified issues.

Conclusion

Preparing for penetration testing is a complex process that requires precision, accuracy, and extensive knowledge of hacking tools and techniques. Kali Linux is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to conduct advanced security tests. With the right tools and methods, it is possible to effectively detect and fix security flaws, thereby protecting systems from potential threats.

If your company needs professional penetration testing, feel free to contact me. With my experience and advanced tools, I can help secure your systems against threats. I invite you to collaborate!