Python Penetration Testing Tutorial

Introduction:

In this tutorial, we are learning about Penetration Testing in Python. Penetration testing, or Pen testing, evaluates the security of IT infrastructure by simulating cyber-attacks on computer systems to exploit vulnerabilities. It helps organizations strengthen their defences against cyber-attacks by identifying security vulnerabilities.

What are the differences between the penetration testing and the vulnerability scanning in Python?

We can perform penetration tests on servers, web applications, wireless networks, mobile devices, and anything else transmitted through manual or automated technology. Due to penetration testing, if we use everything without errors, it should be sent to IT and network administrators to conclude.

On the other hand, vulnerability scanning only identifies specified vulnerabilities, while penetration testing, as mentioned earlier, is an attempt to exploit vulnerabilities. Penetration testing helps determine whether unauthorized access or other physical activity has occurred.

What is the significance of penetration testing in Python?

Here, we learn about the significance of the penetration testing in Python. The key points are given below -

1. Organization's Security:

The importance of penetration testing can be understood from the following perspective: It assures the organization through a detailed assessment of its security.

2. Managing the efficiency of the network:

The performance of the network can be checked with the help of penetration testing. It can check the security of the devices like Firewalls, routers, etc.

3. Keep your organization safe:

For example, changes to the network design, software, hardware, etc. If we want to update, penetration testing can ensure the security of the organization against all kinds of vulnerabilities.

4. Protection of the organization's confidentiality:

With penetration testing, we can uncover threats and protect the organization's secrets before they are compromised.

5. Security policies implementation:

Penetration testing allows us to understand the use of security policies in an organization.

Importance characteristics of the good penetration tester:

Penetration testers are software experts who help organizations strengthen their defenses against cyber-attacks by identifying the vulnerabilities. Penetration testers can perform tests using manual methods or automated tools. Now let us consider the important features of a good penetration tester, which are given below -

1. Application development and networking Knowledge:

A good penetration tester must have knowledge of application development, data management, and networking, as well as the ability to manage configuration and coding.

2. Thinking outstanding:

A penetration tester should be a good thinker and should not hesitate to use different tools and techniques for a particular task to get the best results.

3. Knowledge of the procedure:

A good penetration tester should know to determine the nature of each penetration test, such as its purpose, limitations, and suitability of the process.

4. Up-to-date technological skills:

Penetration testers need to have the latest skills because technology can always change.

5. Skilfully making the report:

Following a successful penetration test, the penetration tester should address all findings and potential risks in a final report. Therefore, he must have good reporting skills.

6. Passionate for the cyber security:

A dedicated person can be successful in life. Similarly, if a person is serious about cyber security, then they can become a penetration tester.

Scope of the penetration testing:

Now, we will understand the scope of the penetration testing. The following two tests can be used to analyze the scope of the penetration testing which are given in below -

I. Non-destructive testing or NDT:

Non-destructive testing does not pose physical risks. NDT can be applied to the system, object, etc. It is used to find the errors before they cause harm or become dangerous. The NDT does not perform Denial of Service (DoS) attacks while performing the penetration testing. NDT can do the following actions, which are given below -

A. The remote systems scanning:

This test scans and identifies remote controls for vulnerabilities.

B. Verification of the remote system:

After finding the vulnerabilities, it also verifies the system for all that is found.

C. Proper utilization of the remote system:

In non-destructive testing, the penetration tester can use a remote control. This will help prevent distractions.

II. Destructive testing or DT:

Destructive testing can put the system at risk. It is more expensive and requires more skill than non-destructive testing. While performing the penetration testing, destruction testing does the following actions, which are given below -

A. Denial of Service attack or DoS attack:

Destructive testing, or DT, performs the Denial of Service attack or DoS attack.

B. Buffer overflow attack:

It also works the buffer overflow attack that could cause physical damage.

What is needed to install for practice the penetration testing in Python?

Penetration testing is a technique and tool that can only be performed in an environment where you have owned the tools or permission to run these tools. We never practice these techniques in environments where we are not authorized to do so because the penetration testing without the illegal permission. We do install the following things for practice the penetration testing in Python, which are given below -

i.We can practice the penetration testing, which is accessed by installing a virtualization package - the VMware Player (www.vmware.com/products/player) or the Oracle VirtualBox (www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/virtualbox/downloads/index.html).

1. We can also create the virtual machines or VMs by using its current version, which is given below -
2. Install the Kali Linux (www.kali.org/downloads/)
3. Install the Samurai Web Testing Framework (http://samurai.inguardians.com/)
4. Install the Metasploitable (offensivesecurity.com/metasploit-unleashed/Requirements)

Application of the Penetration testing:

The application for the penetration testing is given below -

1. It is used in Networks and infrastructure. Many applications are not web applications and use other protocols. These organizational practices can be external or internal.
2. Penetration testing is used for external Organizational Testing. Assessments are performed throughout the organization based on auditor access. This is ideal, but it often requires your internal penetration testing team to focus on long-term testing or involves the high cost of hiring an external team to try it.
3. It is used for client-side applications. Companies have many different programming languages, such as C, C++, Java, Flash, Silverlight, or other compiled software. Penetration testing can also target these entities.
4. It is also used in some mobile Applications (Android, Windows Phone, iOS). Mobile apps can be disruptive and contain links and redirects within the business system. They can also contain secrets, such as API keys, that attackers can easily use.
5. Penetration testing is used to develop some web applications.

Conclusion:

In this tutorial, we learn about Penetration Testing in Python. Penetration testers are software experts who help organizations strengthen their defenses against cyber-attacks by identifying vulnerabilities. Here, we learn the significance, scope, and advantages of penetration testing in Python.