Rishabh Ranjan

A penetration tester, often abbreviated as "pentester," is a cybersecurity professional who evaluates the security of computer systems, networks, and applications by simulating cyber attacks. Their goal is to identify security vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit.

Pentesters typically follow a structured methodology to conduct their assessments, which may include:

1. **Reconnaissance**: Gathering information about the target system, such as its network architecture, operating systems, and software versions.

2. **Scanning**: Using automated tools to discover open ports, services, and potential vulnerabilities on the target system.

3. **Enumeration**: Actively probing the target system to gather more detailed information, such as user accounts, shares, and configurations.

4. **Vulnerability Assessment**: Identifying and assessing vulnerabilities in the target system, including misconfigurations, software flaws, and weak security controls.

5. **Exploitation**: Attempting to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or escalate privileges on the target system.

6. **Post-Exploitation**: Once access is gained, exploring the target system further to gather sensitive information, establish persistence, or pivot to other systems within the network.

7. **Reporting**: Documenting findings, including identified vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and recommendations for remediation, in a comprehensive report for stakeholders.

Pentesters often work closely with organizations to help them improve their security posture by identifying and addressing weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors. They may also provide guidance on security best practices and assist in developing security policies and procedures.