Introduction to Penetration Testing

In this chapter, we begin our journey by building a solid foundation. Having a good understanding of the basics of penetration testing will help you conduct a successful penetration test, as opposed to haphazardly scanning networks and performing tests blindly. We will define penetration testing and how it differs from other security assessments. Before the actual penetration test occurs, there are a few things that need to be done in order to ensure that the correct authorization is in place and the correct scope is defined. Every successful penetration testing student requires a lab environment—it can be daunting to build one, but don't despair. We will look at what options exist for a lab environment.

As you progress through the chapter, you will learn the following:

• What is penetration testing?
• Stages of a penetration test
• Getting started with your lab
• Creating virtual machines (VMs) in VMware, Hyper-V, and Virtualbox