How to Start Penetration Testing: Tools, Techniques, and Tips.

Hey everyone! Saurabh Pal here, a Certified Ethical Hacker Practical and passionate Penetration Tester. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of diving deep into the world of cybersecurity—breaking into systems (legally!) to find vulnerabilities and help organizations secure their digital assets. If you’re curious about where to start with pentesting or just want to explore this exciting field, you’ve come to the right place!

Getting started with penetration testing, or pentesting, might seem overwhelming, but it’s a fascinating and rewarding field. Think of it as a digital treasure hunt where your goal is to find weaknesses before the bad guys do. This guide breaks down the basics of pentesting, provides practical examples, and shares tips to help you begin your journey.
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What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing is a way to check how secure a system, network, or application is by simulating an attack. You’re essentially playing the role of a hacker—but an ethical one! The goal is to find vulnerabilities and suggest fixes before someone malicious takes advantage of them.

Types of Pentesting

Here are some common areas you might work in as a pentester:

Web Application Testing: Checking websites and web apps for security holes.

Network Testing: Looking at internal and external networks for weaknesses.

API Testing: Focusing on APIs to ensure data and functions are secure.

Cloud Testing: Testing the security of cloud-based environments.

Mobile Testing: Evaluating mobile app security.

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Setting Up Your Learning Environment

Before diving in, set up a safe space to practice your skills. This way, you won’t accidentally break something or get into legal trouble.

What You Need

Virtualization Software: Tools like VirtualBox or VMware to create a virtual lab.

Kali Linux or Parrot Security OS: Operating systems loaded with pentesting tools.

Practice Targets: Vulnerable machines like Metasploitable2 or OWASP Juice Shop to hack into safely.

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Must-Have Tools for Pentesting

Here are some tools that will quickly become your best friends:

1. Reconnaissance Tools (Finding Information)

Nmap: Scans networks to find open ports and services.

Shodan: A search engine for devices connected to the internet.

2. Vulnerability Scanning Tools

Nessus: Checks systems for known vulnerabilities.

Nikto: Focuses on web servers.

3. Exploitation Tools (Taking Advantage of Weaknesses)

Metasploit Framework: A powerful tool for exploiting vulnerabilities.

Example:

4. Reporting Tools

Dradis: Helps you organize and document your findings.

KeepNote: A simple tool for keeping notes on what you discover.

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How to Perform a Pentest

Pentesting usually follows these five steps:

1. Reconnaissance (Information Gathering)

Gather as much information about your target as possible. Use tools like Nmap or perform passive recon by searching online for details about your target.

2. Scanning and Enumeration

Use tools to discover open ports, services, and possible vulnerabilities.

3. Exploitation (Breaking In)

Use vulnerabilities to gain access. For example, if you find a web app with an SQL injection flaw, you can use a tool like sqlmap to exploit it.

Example:

4. Post-Exploitation (Digging Deeper)

Once you’re in, figure out how much damage you could do. Extract sensitive data or see if you can move to other systems within the network.

5. Reporting

This is where you explain what you found and how to fix it. Be clear and actionable—this helps the client understand what went wrong and how to fix it.

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Let’s Try It! A Practical Example

Imagine you’re testing a vulnerable web app like OWASP Juice Shop. Here’s a simple walkthrough:

1. Step 1: Find Input Fields
Open the app and look for places where users can enter data, like a login form.

2. Step 2: Test for Vulnerabilities
Try entering something unexpected, like 1' OR '1'='1 in the username field. If you bypass the login, it means there’s an SQL injection vulnerability.

3. Step 3: Exploit It
Use a tool like sqlmap to automate the attack and extract data:

4. Step 4: Document Everything
Note down how you found and exploited the vulnerability, then explain how it can be fixed (e.g., validating user input to prevent SQL injection).

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Tips for Beginners

1. Practice, Practice, Practice
Start with platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, or VulnHub to test your skills in a controlled environment.

2. Learn the Basics First
Before diving into pentesting, make sure you understand networking, operating systems, and basic programming.

3. Document Your Work
Take detailed notes during your pentest. It’ll make reporting easier and help you learn from your mistakes.

4. Stay Ethical
Always have permission before testing anything that doesn’t belong to you.

5. Join the Community
Connect with other ethical hackers on Reddit, Discord, or local meetups. The cybersecurity community is super helpful!

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Conclusion

Starting with penetration testing isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. Focus on learning the basics, practice in safe environments, and build your skills one step at a time. The tools and techniques mentioned here will get you started, but the key is to stay curious and never stop learning.

THANK YOU GUY’S 😃