Network Penetration Checklist: Identify Weaknesses Before Hackers Do

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No matter if you own a big business or are just a person who wants a secure system network, you should face it: the digital world is like a jungle! Hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for your system`s weaknesses to find a way to attack. To defend, you need a battle plan and that's where network penetration comes in. It simulates a cyberattack and finds the weaknesses before hackers do. So, you can patch up those weak spots and prevent your system from attacks. In this blog post, we`re going to mention the steps of the network penetration checklist. So, let's fortify your defenses!

What is a Penetration Test?

A network penetration test simulates the cyberattacks. An expert team of hackers will be hired to find the weak points of your system and then try to attack! You`re doing this to identify the weak spots and try to fix them before hackers find and use them to attack your system network. Actually, it is a defense strategy for better security. This proactive strategy is important for strengthening cybersecurity safeguards and protecting the security and privacy of sensitive information. 

Now, let's gain more information about the network penetration cheat sheet.  

1- Pre-Testing Activities

Before you start the network penetration cheat sheet, you should be prepared. This is the key step for a successful penetration test. The first step of the network penetration checklist includes:

Define your targets

What are you testing? Your whole network? Specific applications? Knowing your scope helps you stay focused. Define which systems, networks, applications, and data will be in scope. Consider the criticality, sensitivity, and potential impact. A well-defined scope ensures concentrated testing efforts while minimizing collateral damage.

Obtain Necessary Approvals 

Penetration testing can be disruptive, so acquire consent from the supervisor and the appropriate teams. This prevents surprises and ensures everyone is on board. Obtain official consent from all key parties, including senior management, legal, and compliance departments. Communicate clearly about the test objectives, methodology, and potential dangers. To avoid legal ramifications, obtain written consent before proceeding with the penetration test.

Consult with the network and system administrators 

Inform system and network managers about the scheduled penetration test, including its scope, dates, and potential outcomes. Create communication channels to facilitate timely collaboration and incident response. This collaboration helps to avoid unwanted outcomes and assures a seamless test execution. 

Backup your data

Nobody wants to lose important data! Backing up your data is like insurance for your system. Sometimes unexpected things happen, that's why you should get a safety net. So, before you start the test, create backups of essential data and settings. Make sure backup procedures are often tested and validated. Data backup acts as a safety net, providing for quick recovery in the event of unforeseen complications or data loss.

Select Penetration Testing Tools
There are several penetration testing tools available. Choose the ones that best meet your demands and prepare them for action. Select the suitable penetration testing tools according to the test goals and target environment. Consider the tool's features, licensing, and ease of use. Configure tools correctly for maximum accuracy and efficiency. 

2- Intel Gathering and Reconnaissance

Before we can identify problems in a system, we must first understand it. This is where intelligence gathering, or recon, comes in. It's similar to a detective doing their studies before solving a case. Once the target is established, extensive data collection occurs. This includes acquiring information like network addresses, domain names, IP ranges, DNS servers, and publicly available organizational data.

Passive Reconnaissance is the process of gathering information without physically interacting with the target system, relying on publicly available sources. Techniques include:

• Open-source intelligence (OSINT): Gathering data from publicly accessible databases, social media, and websites.
• Whois lookups: Obtaining information about domain registration, ownership, and contact details.
• DNS record analysis: Examining DNS records to identify network infrastructure and potential subdomains.
• Social engineering: Gathering information through interactions with employees or public-facing personnel.

Active Reconnaissance entails active interaction with the target system to obtain information. This step must be carefully managed to prevent activating intrusion detection systems (IDS) or firewalls. Common techniques include:

• Port scanning: Identifying open ports and services on the target system.
• Banner grabbing: Retrieving information about running services and software versions.
• Vulnerability scanning: Identifying known vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
• Network mapping: Visualizing the network topology to understand system interconnections.

3- Finding and Fixing Your Network's Weak Spots

If you want to keep your network safe you should get to know it inside and out. You should know what's connected, what's running, and where the doors might be open. 

Once you understand your network like the inside of your hand, it's time to check for flaws. Think of it as a digital checkup. We're looking for flaws in the armor, such as outdated software, exposed ports, or passwords that are as easy to guess as your grandmother's birthday.

When we discover these issues, we must address them quickly. Some are greater deals than others, therefore we prioritize based on the potential damage. The key thing is to continue looking for new difficulties. Your network is like a live organism, constantly changing. So, regular checkups are essential. And if you need to figure out what you're doing, call in the professionals. They will detect hidden hazards and ensure that your network is as secure as a bank vault. 

4- Penetration Strategies 

Another step of the Network penetration Cheat Sheet includes its strategies. Penetration testers, or ethical hackers, employ various techniques to discover weaknesses in computer networks. They hunt for weaknesses in network hardware, software, or how things are connected. Once they have identified a problem, they can attempt to acquire illegal access or control. These tactics are similar to what real-world hackers may employ.

Finding and Using Software Weaknesses

Penetration testers hunt for bugs or faults in software operating on networked computers. These flaws can be used to get remote access to systems, gain higher access levels, or perform actions they should not be able to.

Guessing Your Password

People often use simple passwords. That's why hackers often try to guess the passwords. They use some special computer programs to try every possible password including digits and lists of commonly used passwords. So, businesses and people should use hard and strong passwords. They should avoid guessable passwords like individual information. 

Tricking People to Get In

Often, the simplest way to gain access to a network is to trick the individuals who work there. Hackers utilize "social engineering" techniques to persuade employees to provide sensitive information or grant them access without permission. They may send fake emails (phishing), appear to be someone else, or provide something appealing to entice individuals to make mistakes. Security professionals can improve employee training by testing people's ability to recognize these techniques.

Taking Advantage of Mistakes

While people are setting up network equipment, firewalls, or computers, they can make mistakes. These mistakes can cause big security holes. So, hackers look for these mistakes to attack their systems and steal their information. Businesses can fix these security holes before attackers find them, all they need to do is pretend to be a hacker!

Taking Control from Afar

This is a risky method that allows hackers to run their own applications on a computer remotely. This gives them full control of the device. Hackers often discover ways to do this by exploiting flaws in websites, network services, or operating systems.

Climbing the Ladder of Access

Unfortunately, when hackers enter the door of a system, they try to get higher and higher levels of access and this causes more damage to your system. This involves transitioning from being a regular user to having complete power over the system. They do this by identifying and exploiting flaws or errors in the system's software.

5- Post-Exploitation and Privilege Escalation

Once an attacker has penetrated a system's defenses, they enter the post-exploitation stage. This stage involves looking into the penetrated system to identify important information, establish persistent access, and discover new pathways to future exploitation. Essentially, it's a thorough examination of the system's security procedures to determine its weaknesses.

Privilege escalation is a vital component of post-exploitation. This technique seeks to increase an attacker's access level within the attacked system, giving them more control and maybe access to sensitive data. Attackers can elevate a low-privileged user account to a highly privileged one, such as an administrator, by exploiting system errors, dangers, or weak passwords. This escalation resembles the strategies of real-world adversaries seeking complete control over their targets.
Privilege escalation methods vary greatly and can include exploiting system weaknesses, improper permissions, weak passwords, or vulnerable service settings. In extreme situations, attackers can employ high-level accounts or administrative responsibilities to entirely control a system.

6- The Report and Fix 

The cornerstone of a successful penetration test is the subsequent reporting and remediation process. In the last step of a network penetration test, after the security experts finish their work, they should share their findings as a report. In this document, they explain what they found wrong with the system`s defense. Actually, the report is like a roadmap to fixing the problems. They explain each problem in detail, how serious it is, and how they discovered it.

But the report doesn't stop here! The experts also recommend how to patch those security holes. The experts will prioritize the fixes, so you know which ones to tackle first. They make a list of those problems and mention which ones are risky and more dangerous. 

After presenting the report, the specialists stay on to ensure that everything runs well. They're available to help you comprehend the report, answer questions, and even assist with the repairs. It's like having a guide when you begin mending your digital roof. And to ensure that the task is done correctly, they may return later to check that everything is watertight.

So, in the final stage, not only can you identify the problems; but also you can solve all of them and ensure they stay solved forever. It's a collaboration between experts and you to build a safer digital environment.

Conclusion

Now you know the steps of the network penetration checklist and you understand how important it is for businesses or any person who cares about security. This test is the best way to prevent the hacker`s attacks and also prevent information and important data from being stolen. To summarize, a comprehensive Network penetration Cheat Sheet is very important for discovering vulnerabilities and ensuring network security. This checklist gives a systematic approach to completing extensive tests, which can assist you in identifying potential flaws in your system.