Network Penetration Testing : Profile Essay

I have learned skills to diagnose and repair software vulnerabilities within Windows and Linux operating systems through the CyberPatriot program. I also participated in additional studies within the Cisco Networking Academy and received a perfect score on the Cisco Networking Quiz during the CyberPatriot competition.

* Perform a vulnerability assessment scan on the targeted IP subnet to discover what the weakest link in the system.

Despite the presence of network security devices such as firewalls and other security appliances, today's corporate networks are still vulnerable to both internal and external attacks by hackers intent on creating havoc. By proactively

Many such software suites are available for no cost. These suites scan a network for possible intrusion vectors. These vectors can then be analyzed for the best way to close the potentially open doors to the network. The GFI Events Manager is available for as low as $45 per node for servers, and as low as $4.50 per node for workstations (www.gfi.com). In addition, there should be a discussion for a periodic network attack by the IT staff or a trusted outside contractor. The reason that an outside contractor should be used on occasion is because IT would have at least some knowledge of how to access the system already. A “black hat” simulated attack would begin with no knowledge of the system network at all. As such, it simulates how a hacker would attempt to access the network. Thus, knowledge of access points would be learned, and a decision made as to how best to close them. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (www.cve.mitre.org) is also an exceptionally useful free

Our company is looking for security threats inside and outside their network. The best way to see what our network is vulnerable to is to use penetration testing (pen-testing) to find the leaks in and out of our network. Penetration testing is a network security approach that simulates an attack from an intruder trying to get unauthorized access to the infrastructure. With this type of testing the intent is to discover flaws in the security settings of the system before they can be exploited. Information Assurance Research Corporation (IARC) should conduct penetration testing on a regular basis, so we have the ability to locate weaknesses in the hardware and software, check the security controls currently established and determine if the

Penetration testing is the attempt to identify security weaknesses within the IT infrastructure of an

Discuss approaches to a penetration test and vulnerability scan in terms of black box, white box and gray box tests.

The penetration tools provided in this document allow us to review our network from a security standpoint. This paper focused predominantly on phase two of a penetration test, the exploitation phase; however, a successful penetration test typically starts with the reconnaissance phase. In this phase, the tester attempts to gain as much information about the target company and its network as possible. He or she will test the physical infrastructure (how do people gain access to the building?) and other organizational aspects of the company to find a weakness and a way to get in. Also during this portion of the test, the penetration tester will use tools such as NMAP, whois.com, and other resources to obtain information regarding the network

In this report I will be describing the ways in which networks can be attacked, also be giving real life example of each of the below.

We should perform Attack and Penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities in our network which can be accessed by hackers. Attackers sniffing on the network look for weak points in the network, thus knowing the weak points using internal and external attack and penetration tests will make our network more secure.

9. NIST 800-42 encompasses security testing and penetration testing. It includes how network security testing fits into the system development life cycle and the organizational roles and responsibilities related to security testing. It also introduces the aspect of available testing techniques, their strengths and weaknesses, and the recommended frequencies for testing. Finally, it gives strategies for deploying network security testing, including how to prioritize testing activates.

* Suggest three (3) penetration testing methods that you would use for a small day care business. Provide a rationale to support your response. Note: The day care is located in the heart of downtown, currently uses a Website, databases, file servers, printers, both wireless (802.11x) and Ethernet access to the Internet, and card readers for physical entry for its employees.

This deals with doing your homework. Researching your target is the most important part of an attack. Once your target has been pick out, probing for possible vulnerabilities within their network is performed. With the use of common tools found on the internet like DNS and ICMP, Standard and customized SNMP tools, Port scanners and port mappers, and Security probes to exploit a potential target.

Essentially, performing a penetration test on a web application or web server, prior to implementation, is critical to exposing and/or correcting any existing security flaws. In fact, such penetration testing is critical to ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of a given web application or service. Also, penetration testing should be performed on a regular basis, or whenever a given web application or service is modified, in order to detect any possible security vulnerabilities and/or flaws.

Penetration testing is when a company pays a specialist to try and break into their network and relay back to them any vulnerabilities they may find. Now