Penetration Testing Basics

Learn penetration testing methodologies and techniques for simulating real-world attacks

50 min•By Priygop Team•Last updated: Feb 2026

Penetration Testing Phases

Reconnaissance: Information gathering about the target
Scanning: Identifying open ports and services
Enumeration: Gathering detailed information about services
Vulnerability Assessment: Identifying security weaknesses
Exploitation: Attempting to exploit vulnerabilities
Post-Exploitation: Maintaining access and gathering data
Reporting: Documenting findings and recommendations

Penetration Testing Tools

Example

// Penetration Testing Tool Suite
const pentestTools = {
    "Reconnaissance": {
        "Nmap": {
            "Purpose": "Network discovery and port scanning",
            "Commands": [
                "nmap -sS target.com",
                "nmap -sV -sC target.com",
                "nmap -A target.com"
            ]
        },
        "Recon-ng": {
            "Purpose": "Web reconnaissance framework",
            "Modules": [
                "whois_pocs",
                "google_site_web",
                "linkedin_auth"
            ]
        }
    },
    "Web Application Testing": {
        "Burp Suite": {
            "Purpose": "Web application security testing",
            "Features": [
                "Proxy for intercepting requests",
                "Scanner for automated testing",
                "Intruder for fuzzing",
                "Repeater for manual testing"
            ]
        },
        "OWASP ZAP": {
            "Purpose": "Free web application scanner",
            "Features": [
                "Active and passive scanning",
                "Manual testing tools",
                "API testing capabilities",
                "CI/CD integration"
            ]
        }
    },
    "Exploitation": {
        "Metasploit": {
            "Purpose": "Exploitation framework",
            "Modules": [
                "Exploits for known vulnerabilities",
                "Payloads for post-exploitation",
                "Auxiliary modules for scanning",
                "Post modules for data gathering"
            ]
        },
        "SQLmap": {
            "Purpose": "SQL injection testing",
            "Features": [
                "Automated SQL injection detection",
                "Database fingerprinting",
                "Data extraction",
                "Multiple database support"
            ]
        }
    }
};

// Penetration Testing Methodology
const pentestMethodology = {
    "Pre-Engagement": {
        "Activities": [
            "Scope definition",
            "Rules of engagement",
            "Legal agreements",
            "Resource allocation"
        ],
        "Deliverables": [
            "Statement of Work",
            "Rules of Engagement",
            "Legal documentation"
        ]
    },
    "Reconnaissance": {
        "Activities": [
            "Public information gathering",
            "Social media reconnaissance",
            "DNS enumeration",
            "Subdomain discovery"
        ],
        "Tools": ["Nmap", "Recon-ng", "Sublist3r", "theHarvester"]
    },
    "Scanning and Enumeration": {
        "Activities": [
            "Port scanning",
            "Service identification",
            "Banner grabbing",
            "Vulnerability scanning"
        ],
        "Tools": ["Nmap", "Nessus", "OpenVAS", "Nikto"]
    },
    "Exploitation": {
        "Activities": [
            "Vulnerability exploitation",
            "Privilege escalation",
            "Lateral movement",
            "Data exfiltration"
        ],
        "Tools": ["Metasploit", "Burp Suite", "SQLmap", "Custom scripts"]
    },
    "Post-Exploitation": {
        "Activities": [
            "Persistence establishment",
            "Data gathering",
            "Network mapping",
            "Cleanup activities"
        ],
        "Tools": ["Meterpreter", "PowerShell", "Custom tools"]
    }
};