An external network penetration test is a form of cybersecurity testing that evaluates the security of an organization’s perimeter systems. These systems are the most vulnerable and regularly attacked by hackers.
An effective external penetration test identifies vulnerabilities in your networks and provides recommendations for how to protect them. This type of test also helps identify any data breaches that may be occurring.
A good external pen test will imitate the actions of a real hacker to gain access to your internal systems and identify any security weaknesses that can be exploited to cause damage to your business. This can include compromising sensitive data and stealing confidential information, both of which can affect your company’s reputation.
When choosing an agency to perform your external network penetration testing network penetration test, you need to consider their qualifications, experience, and certifications. Additionally, you should ensure that they sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to performing the test.
Penetration tests are a necessary component of any organization’s security efforts. This is because cybercriminals operate on a regular basis, often targeting companies that have highly valuable and sensitive information stored on their network.
There are many ways that hackers can gain access to an organization’s network, but one of the most common is through an external network attack. This is why it’s important to conduct an external network penetration test to ensure that your security measures are protecting your assets properly and effectively.
The first step of an external network penetration test is to conduct reconnaissance. This includes searching public records, social media, and other online sources to gather information about the target system.
Once the tester has collected this information, they will begin a series of attacks on the target system. These attacks include trying to gain access through stolen credentials, brute-forcing passwords, and exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Next, the attacker will attempt to install malware or ransomware on the target system. They will also look for any other vulnerabilities that could compromise the system’s security.
They will use these vulnerabilities to break into the system and take control of it. This can include gaining access to the files and folders on the system, changing the settings of the system, and adding new programs.
After a successful attack, the tester will produce a report detailing the vulnerabilities and recommendations for fixing them. This will allow your IT team to know what areas they should focus on when preparing for the future.
When choosing a security agency to conduct your external network penetration test, you need to ensure that they have the right tools and resources to carry out the task. This will include an appropriate number of computers, software applications, and other devices that can be used for the test.
The tester will also need to have a reliable internet connection to access the target system. This can be through a dedicated server or a wireless connection.
Lastly, the tester will need to have an appropriate knowledge of network protocols and operating systems to carry out their attack on the target system. This will include understanding network diagrams and host names, as well as using tools such as Metasploit Framework and Burp Suite Pro to exploit the vulnerabilities.