Pentesting 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Ethical Hacking

Hello there! I’m Rocky, your friendly ethical hacker. Yes, you heard it right, an ethical hacker. Before you let your imagination run wild picturing me with a hoodie on, typing away in a dark room, let me clarify. As an ethical hacker, my job involves finding vulnerabilities in systems before the bad guys do, all to make our digital world a safer place.

Now, what if I told you that you too can learn how to find these vulnerabilities? I know, it sounds daunting, but don’t fret. I’m here to help you understand and get started on this thrilling journey, with a special focus on pentesting, one of the critical techniques used in ethical hacking.

I will be writing this article for codelivly.com, a site dedicated to making programming and cyber security more approachable for everyone, from absolute beginners to experienced coders looking to broaden their horizons.

Our journey will start with an understanding of what pentesting is, followed by an exploration of why it’s essential. Once we’ve laid the groundwork, we’ll take a look at how you can dip your toes into this exciting field, the tools you’ll need, and the steps you can take to perform your very first pentest.

If you’re an absolute beginner with an interest in cybersecurity, or perhaps a seasoned developer looking to add a new skill to your repertoire, or simply someone who enjoys solving puzzles and understanding how things work, then you’re in the right place!

So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to embark on a fascinating journey into the world of pentesting.

What is Pentesting?

Well, now that we’re all settled, let’s jump straight into the action. When I first heard the term “pentesting“, I was equally curious and excited. I mean, it sounds so secretive and exciting, doesn’t it? Let’s see what it actually is.

Pentesting, short for penetration testing, is essentially a way of ethically hacking into a computer system, network, or application to identify potential security vulnerabilities. In simpler terms, as a pentester, you’re playing the role of a friendly burglar. You’re trying to break into the system, but instead of stealing something, you identify all the possible entries, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses. Then, instead of exploiting these weaknesses for personal gain, you report them back to the system’s owner so they can fix these security gaps. Now, that’s a twist!

There are different types of pentests, such as network pentesting, web application pentesting, and mobile application pentesting. Each of these has a different focus area but with a common goal: to secure the system or application from any potential threats.

It’s important to note that pentesting is different from a vulnerability assessment, another term you might come across frequently. While they may sound similar, the key difference is that a vulnerability assessment is about finding potential vulnerabilities, while pentesting goes a step further to exploit those vulnerabilities to understand their potential impact.

Think of pentesting like a real-world heist drill. The security team knows there’s a ‘fake’ heist going on and the goal is to find out how far the ‘thief’ can get in before being stopped. Exciting, isn’t it?Stay with me, because there’s a lot more to learn!

The Importance of Pentesting

Now, you might be wondering, “Okay, Rocky, pentesting sounds cool and all, but why is it so important?” Well, my friend, allow me to explain.

In this digital age, most of our lives, from personal details to financial transactions, occur online. This abundance of digital data is like a goldmine for malicious hackers. They’re always on the lookout for the slightest security vulnerability to exploit. Think about it: if there’s a tiny hole in your fence, it could be enough for a sneaky raccoon to get into your yard and cause havoc. Similarly, even a small vulnerability in a system could allow hackers to access sensitive data.

This is where pentesting comes in. By identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, we can help prevent data breaches and unauthorized access, protecting both businesses and individuals.

In addition to protecting systems and data, pentesting also plays a vital role in compliance with regulations. Numerous industries, especially those dealing with sensitive customer data like banking or healthcare, have strict cybersecurity regulations. Regular pentesting helps these organizations to stay in compliance, avoiding potential legal issues and fines.

Moreover, pentesting can help enhance system performance by identifying issues that might slow down a system. Think of it as a thorough check-up for your system, which not only looks for security issues but also detects performance issues.

So, if you’ve ever had a sleepless night worrying about whether your online data is safe, just remember: there’s a whole group of ethical hackers and pentesters out there working tirelessly to protect your data. Pretty comforting, right?

Anatomy of a Pentest

Alright, now that we’ve seen why pentesting is so crucial, you must be eager to know how it actually works. Let’s dive into the anatomy of a pentest:

A pentest isn’t a random series of actions. It’s a methodical process broken down into several phases. Here’s the walkthrough:

1. Planning and Preparation: The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and for us, that step is planning. During this phase, we define the scope and goals of the test – which systems will be tested, what methods will be used, and what resources are needed. It’s also when we agree on the ‘rules of engagement’ with the client. Think of this stage as drawing the map for our expedition.
2. Scanning: This is the reconnaissance phase. We start by scanning the system to understand how it responds to various intrusion attempts. This is like doing a quick flyover of the battlefield to get a lay of the land before launching the attack.
3. Gaining Access: Now, we move onto the action-packed part of the pentest. Here, we start exploiting the vulnerabilities identified in the scanning phase. The objective is to see if we can penetrate the system (hence ‘penetration testing’). This stage feels like solving a complex puzzle or opening a series of locked doors.
4. Maintaining Access: After successfully penetrating the system, we then try to maintain that access for a while, to simulate a real-world cyber attack. The goal here is to understand how long an attacker could potentially remain undetected in the system. It’s like seeing if you can stay hidden in a game of hide-and-seek.
5. Analysis and Reporting: The final stage is where we analyze the results and compile a report detailing the vulnerabilities found, data that was accessed, and how long we remained in the system. The report also includes recommendations for mitigating these vulnerabilities. Think of it as giving the client a detailed play-by-play of how we ‘broke into’ their system and how they can prevent it in the future.

That’s it! That’s how a pentest works. It’s a methodical, systematic process, like a well-planned and well-executed expedition.

Roles in Pentesting: Who Does What?

Having taken a tour of a pentest’s anatomy, it’s now time to introduce the main characters in our exciting drama. Just like a movie or a play, everyone has a role to play in the pentesting field, and each role is crucial. Let’s find out who does what.

#1. The Pentester

Oh, I’m excited about this one because this is where I come into the picture – the Pentester. So, let’s dive into the exhilarating world of a penetration tester!

As I mentioned before, the pentester is essentially the ethical hacker in this whole scenario, the ‘friendly burglar’ who’s on a mission to find and exploit security weaknesses. But it’s so much more than just ‘breaking into’ systems.

First off, we’re not really ‘breaking in’ as we have been given permission to do these tests. We work within a predefined scope and are guided by ethical considerations and professional standards. Trust me, it’s all very above board.

One of the best parts of being a pentester is that every day is different. One day you might be testing a new mobile banking app, the next, you might be trying to find vulnerabilities in a government network. The variety keeps you on your toes and makes every day a learning opportunity.

Creativity and curiosity are essential in this role. We need to think out of the box, almost like the hackers we’re trying to thwart. We have to ask ourselves, “If I were a hacker, how would I try to break in?”

Patience is another key attribute for a pentester. We may spend hours or even days trying to find a vulnerability or exploit it, but when we do, it’s like solving a complex puzzle or finding hidden treasure – so satisfying!

Of course, there’s a serious side to all this. The work we do as pentesters is crucial in protecting systems, data, and ultimately people, from cyber threats. It’s a big responsibility, but also a source of great pride.

#2. The Blue Team

Well, now that you’ve got a glimpse of life as a pentester, let’s switch sides and delve into the world of the Blue Team, the stalwart defenders of our cyber fortress.

When I imagine the Blue Team, I picture a group of knights guarding a castle, always on high alert for potential threats. The Blue Team’s primary role is to defend an organization’s information systems. They’re the digital shield protecting us from the constant onslaught of cyber-attacks. And let me tell you, it’s no easy feat.

The Blue Team’s work involves a lot of real-time monitoring and vigilance. They’re the ones watching over the system’s security round-the-clock, looking out for any unusual activities. If you’re the type who loves keeping an eye on things and spotting anomalies, this could be the role for you.

What I find really cool about being part of a Blue Team is the constant learning and adapting involved. The cyber world is dynamic, with new threats emerging almost daily. To keep up, the Blue Team has to be quick on their feet, always learning, adapting, and implementing new defense strategies.

While their job might seem more reactive compared to a pentester, make no mistake, the Blue Team plays an active role in strengthening an organization’s security posture. They work on establishing secure configurations, implementing strong access controls, managing patches, and more. They are constantly preparing for battle, honing their strategies, and ensuring their defenses are strong.

#3. The Red Team

From the defensive prowess of the Blue Team, let’s now dive into the thrill-filled world of the Red Team. If the Blue Team is the castle’s defense, then the Red Team is the mock enemy that tests those defenses. They’re the invaders in our friendly game of castle siege.

As a Red Team member, you’re the aggressor, but remember, it’s all in good spirit and for the ultimate goal of enhancing security. Your job is to simulate realistic cyber-attacks. You’re expected to think like an attacker, exploiting vulnerabilities, bypassing security measures, all while trying to remain undetected for as long as possible.

Sounds thrilling, right? It sure is. But it’s not all fun and games. Being on the Red Team requires a deep understanding of hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies. It’s like being a master of disguise, adopting different personas and tactics, and always staying one step ahead.

The coolest part about being on the Red Team? In my opinion, it’s the element of surprise. You get to plan and execute surprise attacks (of course, within the agreed parameters), to test how well the Blue Team reacts in real-time. It’s a high-stakes game of hide and seek where you need to infiltrate the system, complete your mission, and retreat without raising alarms.

But, just like the Pentester and Blue Team roles, being part of the Red Team is about more than the thrill. It’s about making our digital world safer and more secure. So, if you enjoy thinking like a chess player, anticipating moves, and planning surprise attacks, the Red Team might be right up your alley.

Why Do You Need Pentesting?

You might be wondering, “Alright, Rocky, all this talk about pentesting is great, but why do I, or any organization for that matter, actually need it?” Well, let’s get into that.

First off, let’s just acknowledge the elephant in the room – we live in a world where cyber threats are a real and ever-present danger. Cyber attacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication, causing severe financial and reputational damage. Now, would you prefer to know where your vulnerabilities lie and fix them, or would you rather wait for an attacker to exploit them? I know what I’d choose.

Pentesting gives you that knowledge. It provides an objective assessment of your system’s security, giving you insights into what vulnerabilities exist, how they can be exploited, and how you can mitigate them. It’s like a health check-up for your cybersecurity measures.

What’s more, it’s not just about preventing attacks. A robust cybersecurity posture also inspires trust among customers, stakeholders, and partners. If you can demonstrate that you take cybersecurity seriously and have taken steps to secure your systems, you’ll instill confidence in your clients. In the digital age, trust is the new currency, and pentesting helps build that.

Lastly, let’s not forget about compliance. Many sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and ecommerce, have strict regulations around cybersecurity. Regular pentesting helps organizations stay compliant with these regulations, avoiding hefty fines and potential legal issues.

So, whether it’s about staying one step ahead of attackers, building trust, or meeting compliance requirements, pentesting plays a crucial role. It’s not just a ‘nice-to-have’ – in today’s cyber landscape, it’s a ‘must-have’.

Getting Started with Pentesting

Having learned about the different roles in pentesting and why it’s important, you might now be thinking, “How do I get started?” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Here’s a simple roadmap to kickstart your journey into pentesting.

Essential Skills for Pentesting

When stepping into the world of pentesting, there are a few skills you’ll want to pack in your toolkit. Now, don’t get overwhelmed – you don’t have to master all of these from the get-go. But as you navigate your way through your pentesting journey, these skills will certainly prove useful. Let’s dive in.

1. Technical Skills: As a pentester, you’re basically a white hat hacker. And to hack, even ethically, you need a strong understanding of the systems you’re working with. This means brushing up on operating systems, networking, databases, and web applications. Know how they work, how they can break, and how to protect them.
2. Coding Skills: While you don’t need to be the next Linus Torvalds, a solid understanding of at least one programming or scripting language (like Python) will take you a long way. It helps automate tasks, write exploits, and understand how software vulnerabilities occur.
3. Cybersecurity Knowledge: Understand the common vulnerabilities, exploits, and attack vectors. Familiarize yourself with different security frameworks and standards. This knowledge will guide you in your mission to find and exploit vulnerabilities.
4. Tool Proficiency: There’s a whole arsenal of tools available for pentesting – from Nmap for network scanning to Burp Suite for web application testing. Get hands-on experience with these tools. Understand what they can do, when to use them, and how to interpret their results.
5. Problem-Solving Skills: Pentesting is a bit like a puzzle. You’re presented with a system, and your job is to figure out how to exploit it. This requires a logical, analytical mindset and a lot of patience. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself hitting wall after wall, but that eureka moment when you find a vulnerability makes it all worth it!
6. Communication Skills: Yes, even pentesters need to communicate effectively. Once you’ve completed a test, you’ll need to document your findings and present them to your client or team. Being able to explain complex technical issues in simple terms is a valuable skill.
7. Ethical Considerations: Last, but certainly not least, you must adhere to a strong code of ethics. As a pentester, you’ll have access to sensitive systems and data. Respecting this access, and using it responsibly, is paramount.

These are the key skills that I’ve found invaluable in my journey as a pentester. As you continue in your own journey, you’ll likely discover and develop many more.

Steps to Perform Your First Pentest

Ah, your first pentest. I still remember mine – the thrill, the excitement, and a dash of nervousness. But don’t worry, we’ve got this. Let me walk you through the basic steps involved in a pentest, so you know what to expect and how to approach it.

#1. Identifying and Scanning Target Systems

So, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and start your first pentest. The first hurdle you’ll cross is identifying and scanning target systems. Let me tell you, this phase is a lot more exciting than it sounds! Let’s break it down.

1. Identifying Target Systems: Before you can start scanning anything, you need to know what you’re scanning. This means defining the scope of your pentest – which systems are you going to test? Is it a website? A network? Maybe a mobile application? Identifying the target systems is crucial because it helps you understand the battlefield, so to speak. And remember, always make sure you have proper authorization before you start testing any systems!
2. Gathering Information: Now that you know your targets, it’s time to gather as much information about them as you can. This is called “reconnaissance” and involves collecting data like IP addresses, domain details, network topology, and so on. Think of it as doing detective work – the more clues you gather, the better you can plan your approach.
3. Scanning the Targets: With your recon data in hand, it’s time to start scanning your targets. This involves using tools like Nmap or Nessus to discover open ports, active services, and potential vulnerabilities in the system. It’s a bit like using a metal detector to find buried treasure. But instead of gold coins, you’re looking for chinks in the system’s armor.

Remember, at this stage, your goal isn’t to exploit anything yet. Instead, you’re trying to understand the system’s vulnerabilities and how they can be used against it. It’s a critical first step in any pentest and lays the groundwork for everything that follows.

#2. Testing for Vulnerabilities

Once you’ve identified and scanned your target systems, it’s time for the real action – testing for vulnerabilities. This stage is like solving a puzzle where each piece might be a potential vulnerability that could grant you access. So, let’s dive in.

1. Analyze the Scan Results: The first step is to take a good look at the results of your system scan. What services are running? What ports are open? Are there any outdated software versions or misconfigurations that stand out? These could all be potential weak points that attackers might exploit.
2. Select Your Tools: Depending on what you’ve found in your scan, you’ll need to select the right tools for your test. For instance, if you’ve found a potential SQL injection point in a web application, you might use a tool like SQLmap. If you’re testing a network, you might use a tool like Metasploit.
3. Conduct Vulnerability Assessment: Now, you start testing for vulnerabilities. This may involve automated testing with your chosen tools, manual testing, or most likely, a mix of both. This is a meticulous process, and it can take time. Remember, patience is a virtue here.
4. Validate Your Findings: Once you’ve identified potential vulnerabilities, it’s important to validate them. Just because a tool flagged something as a vulnerability doesn’t always mean it’s exploitable. Try to exploit it yourself to see if it’s a false positive or a real vulnerability.
5. Document Everything: I can’t stress this enough – documentation is key. Make sure you keep a detailed record of every step you took, every tool you used, and every vulnerability you found. You’ll need this for your final report.

Remember, while testing for vulnerabilities, the goal isn’t to cause harm but to identify weak points in the system’s security. Always stay within the boundaries of your agreed scope and ensure you have the necessary permissions.

#3. Exploiting Vulnerabilities

We’re now entering the heart of pentesting – exploiting vulnerabilities. This is the stage where you prove that the vulnerabilities you’ve found are not just theoretical risks but real weaknesses that could be exploited by a malicious actor. It’s both challenging and rewarding, so let’s dive in.

1. Choosing Your Tools: Similar to testing for vulnerabilities, exploiting them also requires certain tools. These tools will depend on the specific vulnerabilities you’ve found. For example, if you’ve identified a system susceptible to a buffer overflow, you might use a tool like Metasploit to craft and deliver your exploit.
2. Crafting Your Exploit: Once you’ve picked your tool, it’s time to craft your exploit. This could be as simple as inputting malicious SQL commands for an SQL Injection, or as complex as writing custom code to exploit a buffer overflow. This is where those coding skills come in handy!
3. Delivering the Exploit: With your exploit crafted, the next step is to deliver it to the target system. This could be through a web form, an email, or directly to a network service. Always remember, our goal is not to cause harm but to identify risks.
4. Gaining Access: If your exploit is successful, you should gain some level of unauthorized access to the system. This could be access to confidential data, ability to execute commands, or even control over the entire system. The level of access will depend on the vulnerability you exploited.
5. Maintaining Access (Optional): Sometimes, you might want to demonstrate that an attacker could maintain persistent access to the system, undetected. This might involve installing a backdoor or gaining higher privileges.
6. Document Everything: Just as with vulnerability testing, documenting your process and results is crucial. Record what exploit you used, how you delivered it, what access you gained, and any other relevant details. This will be essential when reporting your findings.

Exploiting vulnerabilities is where the real excitement lies in pentesting. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Always operate within your scope and with the proper permissions, and never exploit vulnerabilities for malicious purposes.

#4. Post-Exploitation Activities

Congrats on successfully exploiting a vulnerability! But our job isn’t quite done yet. In the post-exploitation phase, we assess the impact of the exploit, clean up our tracks, and start preparing our report. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Assessing the Impact: Now that you’ve exploited a vulnerability and gained some level of access, it’s important to understand the potential impact. What kind of data can you access? What actions can you perform on the system? Could you potentially move laterally to other systems? Document this thoroughly, as it will be crucial in your report.
2. Maintaining Access (Optional): In some pentests, you may want to demonstrate that an attacker could maintain access over time. This could involve creating backdoors or establishing command and control channels. Remember to only do this if it’s within your agreed scope, and always remove any backdoors once you’re done.
3. Cleaning Up: As ethical hackers, we want to leave the system as we found it (minus the vulnerabilities, of course). This means removing any payloads, scripts, or tools you installed during the test. Basically, clean up your mess.
4. Preparing for Reporting: Start gathering all your documentation, screenshots, logs, and notes. You’ll need all these for your report. Your report is arguably one of the most critical parts of the pentest, as it communicates your findings to the client or your team.

The post-exploitation phase might not be as exciting as finding and exploiting vulnerabilities, but it’s just as important. It ensures that we operate responsibly and effectively communicate our findings.

#5. Reporting Findings

After all the thrill of hunting for vulnerabilities and exploiting them, now comes an equally important part of a pentest – reporting your findings. This is where you get to tell the story of your pentest journey, highlight the vulnerabilities you found, and help the team or client understand how to fix them. Here’s how you do it:

1. Introduction: Start by providing an overview of your pentest – the scope, the systems you tested, and the tools you used. This sets the context for the rest of the report.
2. Executive Summary: This is for the folks who might not have the time or technical expertise to read the whole report. Summarize your key findings, the overall security posture of the system, and your top recommendations.
3. Methodology: Here, you detail how you carried out the pentest. Talk about the steps you took, from initial recon and scanning to vulnerability testing and exploitation. This shows your work was systematic and thorough.
4. Findings: This is the heart of your report. For each vulnerability you found, provide a description, evidence (screenshots, logs, etc.), the steps to reproduce it, and its potential impact. Also, rate the severity of each vulnerability, typically using a standard like the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
5. Recommendations: For each vulnerability, provide clear, actionable recommendations on how to fix or mitigate it. This is where you get to turn your findings into improvements in the system’s security.
6. Conclusion: Wrap up the report with a summary of your findings and any overall recommendations. If the system was generally secure, say so. If it needs major improvements, make that clear.
7. Appendix (optional): If you have additional data that doesn’t fit neatly into the main report, like full logs or code snippets, you can include it in an appendix.

Remember, your report is not just for you or other cybersecurity folks – it might be read by managers, developers, or even executives. So, keep it clear, concise, and professional.

Learning Path to Become a Professional Pentester

Embarking on a journey to become a professional pentester can be a thrilling ride. But it’s a ride with multiple pit stops to pick up essential skills and knowledge. Here’s a road map that can guide you on this journey:

1. Basic Computer Skills: You need to start by being comfortable with using a computer, understanding how the internet works, and being familiar with operating systems, especially Linux, which is often used in cybersecurity.
2. Programming and Scripting: Basic knowledge of programming and scripting languages is essential. Languages like Python, JavaScript, and Bash are particularly useful in pentesting.
3. Networking: A strong understanding of networking is crucial. You should be comfortable with concepts like IP addressing, TCP/IP, network protocols, firewalls, and VPNs.
4. Learn About Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Start by learning the basics of cybersecurity. This could involve taking an introductory course or reading books on the topic.
5. Hands-On Practice: Start practicing your skills with platforms like Hack The Box or TryHackMe. These provide a safe and legal environment to practice your hacking skills.
6. Learn About Ethical Hacking and Pentesting: Once you have the basics down, dive deeper into ethical hacking and pentesting. There are many great resources available, like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course or the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK) course offered by Offensive Security.
7. Specialize: Decide if you want to specialize in a particular area, like web application pentesting, network pentesting, or mobile app pentesting. Specialization can make you more valuable in certain roles.
8. Get Certified: While not always required, getting a certification can boost your credibility. Some of the popular ones include the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), and the GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN).
9. Gain Experience: Try to get some real-world experience. This could be through internships, entry-level roles, or even volunteering to pentest for non-profit organizations.
10. Never Stop Learning: The world of cybersecurity is always evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and techniques by joining online communities, attending conferences, and continuously practicing your skills.

Remember, becoming a pentester is a journey, not a destination. There will always be new things to learn, but that’s part of what makes it so exciting. Happy hacking!

Conclusion

Stepping into the world of pentesting is like starting an exciting adventure – one filled with constant learning, problem-solving, and the satisfaction of bolstering cybersecurity defenses. Whether you’re considering it as a career or just looking to enhance your current tech skills, pentesting offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards.

In this guide, we’ve broken down what pentesting is, why it’s crucial in our interconnected digital world, and how to conduct one. We’ve also given you a roadmap to embark on a journey towards becoming a professional pentester.

Remember, becoming a pentester isn’t just about acquiring technical skills. It’s also about adopting an ethical hacker mindset – thinking creatively, persisting through obstacles, and above all, committing to use your skills responsibly.

It’s a fascinating field, ever-evolving with the landscape of technology and cybersecurity. It demands your curiosity, grit, and passion. But, for those who embrace it, it can be a truly rewarding journey.

Happy hacking, and always remember to wear the white hat!

FAQs

1. What is pentesting?
Pentesting, or penetration testing, is a method of evaluating the security of a computer system, network, or web application by simulating attacks from malicious outsiders (black hat hackers).

2. Why is pentesting important?
Pentesting is crucial because it helps identify potential vulnerabilities in a system that could be exploited by cybercriminals, allowing the organization to address these weaknesses before they can be used for an actual attack.

3. What skills do I need to become a pentester?
Becoming a pentester requires a range of skills, including a strong understanding of computer systems and networks, proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language, familiarity with various hacking tools and techniques, and a problem-solving mindset.

4. Can anyone become a pentester?
While anyone can learn the skills to become a pentester, it does require a considerable amount of time and effort to gain the necessary knowledge and experience. A background in IT or cybersecurity can be helpful but is not essential.

5. What is the difference between a pentester and a hacker?
A pentester, or ethical hacker, uses their skills responsibly to find and fix vulnerabilities in systems with the owner’s permission. In contrast, a hacker, often referred to as a black hat hacker, exploits these vulnerabilities for malicious purposes, often without permission.

6. What are some certifications I can get to become a pentester?
There are several certifications available for aspiring pentesters, including the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), and the GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN).

7. Can I practice pentesting skills legally?
Yes, there are legal ways to practice pentesting skills, such as using designated practice sites like Hack The Box or TryHackMe. Always remember that unauthorized hacking is illegal and unethical.

8. How much can a pentester earn?
The earning potential for a pentester can vary widely depending on factors such as location, level of experience, and area of expertise. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, pentesters in the US can earn anywhere from $50,000 to well over $100,000 per year. However, for the most current information, I recommend looking at recent job postings or salary surveys in your region.

9. What’s the difference between red teams and blue teams?
In cybersecurity, red teams are typically internal or external groups that mimic an attacker’s actions to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems. Conversely, blue teams are internal groups that defend against both real and simulated attacks. Together, red and blue teams help strengthen an organization’s security posture.

10. Can pentesting damage my systems?
If done improperly, pentesting has the potential to disrupt or damage systems. That’s why it’s critical to define the scope of a pentest carefully and use trained, responsible pentesters. However, when done correctly, pentesting should not damage your systems and instead reveal vulnerabilities to improve your system security.