The Ultimate Guide to Network Pen Testing: Everything You Need To Know About Penetration Testing Networks

If you're responsible for the security of a network, you need to know about network pen testing. This is the process of recreating a real-world attack on your network in order to identify flaws. We'll go through what network pen testing is, why it's essential, and how it works in this post. We'll look at some of the most effective network penetration testing tools on the market.

Network Penetration Testing: What Is It?

Network penetration testing, also known as network pen testing or just pen testing, is the process of simulating an attack on a network in order to find vulnerabilities. Pen testers use various tools and techniques to try to gain access to systems and data. After that, they evaluate the outcomes of their tests in order to figure out what measures need to be taken to enhance network security.

Network Pen Testing: Why Is It Important?

Network pen testing is important because it can help you find weaknesses in your network before attackers do. By discovering and addressing these flaws, you may significantly hamper attackers' efforts. If an attacker does manage to penetrate your network, having a good understanding of your network's weaknesses will help you respond more effectively.

Best Network Pen Testing Tools In The Contemporary Market

There are several network pen testing tools to select from, but not all of them are made equal. Some of them are:

• Astra's Pentest: This tool is designed for network pen testing and includes a number of features that make it well-suited for the task.

• Nmap: This network exploration tool can be used for network mapping, port scanning, and network security auditing.

• Metasploit: This penetration testing framework can be used to launch attacks on systems and networks.

• Wireshark: This network protocol analyzer may be used for troubleshooting network issues as well as gathering network traffic.

Benefits of Network Penetration Test

Network penetration testing can have a number of benefits, including:

• Ensuring overall security: By identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, network penetration testing can help to ensure the overall security of your network.

• Compliance requirements: In some cases, network penetration testing may be required to fulfil regulatory standards.

• Continued maintenance: Network penetration testing should not be seen as a one-time event. It should, rather, be a part of a continual security monitoring and improvement procedure.

AWS Pentest guide provides some insight into the benefits of pentesting.

How Does Network Pen Testing Work?

Network penetration testing typically follows a five-step process:

• Planning and reconnaissance: In this phase, the pen tester gathers information about the network and its systems.

• Scanning: In this phase, the pen tester scans the network for vulnerable systems. Using automated programs or manual techniques is an excellent method to detect and remove malware.

• Gaining access: The objective of this stage is to gain access to the network's systems. This is frequently accomplished by exploiting flaws discovered in the previous phases.

• Maintaining access: In this phase, the pen tester tries to preserve their access to systems on the network. This may involve creating backdoors or installing malware.

• Analysis: In this final phase, the pen tester analyzes the results of their tests and produces a report. This study may help you enhance network security.

2 Types of Network Pen Testing

• External testing: External testing is conducted from outside the network, typically by someone with no prior knowledge of the network.

• Internal testing: Internal testing is conducted from inside the network, typically by someone with some prior knowledge of the network.

Best Network Pen Testing Tools In Detail

• Astra's Pentest

Astra Security's product, the Astra Pentest, is based on a single tenet: making penetration testing easier for users. Astra's ongoing efforts to make self-serving solutions and yet be always available and on point with support are pretty remarkable. Making visualizing, navigating, and remediating flaws as easy as conducting a Google search is something that Astra has excelled at.

Astra's Pentest users may also track their progress using the vulnerability management dashboard, which includes a CVSS score and contact information for security staff.

Astra has now signed a number of new partners over the last year, including ICICI, UN, and Dream 11. In addition to Ford, Gillette, and GoDaddy, Astra has attracted names such as ICICI and UN in recent months.

• Nmap

Nmap stands for Network Mapper. It aids in the mapping of a network by scanning ports, detecting operating systems, and creating a list of devices and services running on them.

For each transport layer protocol, the NMap program creates a distinct set of packets with IP addresses and other information. This information may be used to identify hosts, fingerprint operating systems, identify services, and audit security. Nmap is a strong tool that can map a huge network with thousands of ports linked to it.

• Metasploit

Metasploit is a framework for detecting structural flaws used by both hackers and security experts. It's a robust platform with elements of fuzzing, anti-forensic, and evasion techniques.

It's simple to use and works on a wide range of platforms, which makes it a popular tool among hackers.

• Wireshark

Wireshark is a well-known open-source protocol analysis tool. This program may be used to inspect network activity at the molecular level. Thousands of security experts around the planet contribute to its improvement, making it one of the greatest pentest tools available.

Conclusion

Network pen testing is the process of attacking a network to find out how secure it is. This may be done manually or with the aid of automated instruments. Network pen testing is critical since it may reveal vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. The best network pen testing tools include Astra's Pentest, Nmap, Wireshark, and Metasploit. Network pen testing can also help to improve network security by identifying weaknesses that can be exploited.