Penetration testing (often called “pen testing”) is a simulated cyberattack carried out by security professionals to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a system before real attackers can. It’s essentially an authorized, controlled form of hacking designed to strengthen defenses rather than break them.
🔍 Core idea
Simulated attack: Ethical hackers mimic the techniques of malicious actors to test how well your systems hold up.
Authorized and controlled: Unlike real attacks, penetration tests are agreed upon in scope and rules, ensuring no harm is done.
Goal-oriented: The aim is to uncover weaknesses—whether in applications, networks, or infrastructure—so they can be fixed.
🛠️ Types of penetration testing
Network penetration testing: Checks firewalls, routers, and servers for exploitable flaws.
Web application testing: Probes websites and APIs for issues like SQL injection or cross-site scripting.
Wireless testing: Examines Wi-Fi networks for weak encryption or unauthorized access points.
Social engineering testing: Simulates phishing or impersonation attacks to test human factors.
Physical penetration testing: Attempts to breach physical security controls, like locks or access cards.