Book Image

Kali Linux 2018: Assuring Security by Penetration Testing - Fourth Edition

By : Shiva V. N. Parasram, Alex Samm, Damian Boodoo, Gerard Johansen, Lee Allen, Tedi Heriyanto, Shakeel Ali
Book Image

Kali Linux 2018: Assuring Security by Penetration Testing - Fourth Edition

By: Shiva V. N. Parasram, Alex Samm, Damian Boodoo, Gerard Johansen, Lee Allen, Tedi Heriyanto, Shakeel Ali

Overview of this book

Kali Linux is a comprehensive penetration testing platform with advanced tools to identify, detect, and exploit the vulnerabilities uncovered in the target network environment. With Kali Linux, you can apply the appropriate testing methodology with defined business objectives and a scheduled test plan, resulting in successful penetration testing project engagement. This fourth edition of Kali Linux 2018: Assuring Security by Penetration Testing starts with the installation of Kali Linux. You will be able to create a full test environment to safely practice scanning, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation. You’ll explore the essentials of penetration testing by collecting relevant data on the target network with the use of several footprinting and discovery tools. As you make your way through the chapters, you’ll focus on specific hosts and services via scanning and run vulnerability scans to discover various risks and threats within the target, which can then be exploited. In the concluding chapters, you’ll apply techniques to exploit target systems in order to gain access and find a way to maintain that access. You’ll also discover techniques and tools for assessing and attacking devices that are not physically connected to the network, including wireless networks. By the end of this book, you will be able to use NetHunter, the mobile version of Kali Linux, and write a detailed report based on your findings.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)

Penetration testing methodology

During scoping the type of test, it is important to know the different type of tests and what they consist of; this can be broken down into three groups:

  • White-box penetration testing: Here, the tester has complete access and in-depth knowledge of the system being tested. The testers work with the client and have access to insider information, servers, software running, network diagrams, and sometimes even credentials. This test type is normally used to test new applications before they are put into production and are routinely conducted as part of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC); this helps to identify vulnerabilities and remedy them before rolling out to production.
  • Black-box penetration testing: In the black-box penetration testing approach, only high-level information is made available to the tester. The tester is totally unaware...