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External Network Penetration Test

External network penetration testing simulates the attacker's entry into the system in case of a possible attack. Unlike other penetration tests, external network penetration testing is more detailed than automatic vulnerability scans as it examines external IT systems for any weaknesses that a potential attacker could use to compromise the integrity, confidentiality or availability of the network. It is an authorized and effective attack attempt against the servers of companies or institutions.

 

External Network Penetration Testing Methodology

 

Planning:
It is decided which systems will be included in the planned external network pentest and in what time period the team that will perform the test should perform these tests.

Data collection:
Information is collected without directly communicating with target systems without leaving a trace via the Internet.

Analysis:
Various intrusion attempts are made on the target system to observe how the system will react.
Static analysis: Scanning the entire code in a single pass to predict how an application behaves when running its code.
Dynamic analysis: By checking the code of an application while it is running, real-time information about the application's performance is obtained.

Gaining Access:
Web application attacks such as cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and backdoors are used to expose the target's vulnerabilities. Testers then attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities, often by escalating privileges, stealing data, hijacking traffic, to understand the damage they could cause.

Cleaning Traces:
Malware used during testing is cleared from the systems.

Reporting:
The information obtained as a result of the tests is delivered to the customer with a report containing an executive summary and detailed security vulnerabilities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About External Network Penetration Testing

Why Should I Have an External Network Penetration Test?

It is of great importance for your system security that the security vulnerabilities in your systems are checked by cyber security companies, their strengths and weaknesses are reported and presented to your information. Because, despite all the attention and efforts of you and your employees on security, the methods and tools that attackers can use to exploit the system are endless. Possibilities and risks change dimensions according to the level of knowledge and experience of the attacker. For this reason, it would be a more realistic and efficient step to ensure and increase the security of your systems by having them tested by "White Hat" hacker teams, who can think and act like a hacker and know the attack methods and can take precautions against these methods. In addition, standards such as PCI, HIPAA, Pentest (penetration test) to be made.

All of the software and hardware equipment in my system is state-of-the-art, do I still need a penetration test?

Attackers or malicious people can use known methods on the related software and hardware equipment in order to seize or exploit the software and hardware used within your systems, as well as "zeroday", that is, zero-day vulnerabilities. So instead of using known vulnerabilities, they can discover and exploit a new vulnerability. In addition; Just because your systems have the most up-to-date technology doesn't necessarily mean they're configured correctly. While the people who install your systems do their job with the aim of making the system work correctly, we do our job with the aim of protecting your systems.

What Methods and Tools Are Used When Performing External Network Penetration Testing?

When we at Infinitum IT perform external network penetration testing, we seek to exploit identified vulnerabilities in networks, systems and services to gain access to sensitive information using the appropriate tools at our disposal. We test under controlled conditions to minimize the risk of outages. Our goal is to provide comprehensive details on security vulnerabilities existing in your environment. Infinitum IT's approach to external network penetration testing is summarized as follows: Finding target hosts and services, evaluating the security of these targets with penetration testing tools and methods, trying to gain access to target hosts, and gaining higher privileges within the system. Our detailed methodology includes the following phases: Intelligence: Initial reconnaissance activities to find responsive hosts and services in each public IP range and facilitate target list development. Target Planning: The first targets are selected according to the opportunity and prioritization is made for the attacks in the first stage. Vulnerability Ranking: Both published and undocumented vulnerabilities are ranked to identify possible exploits to be tracked on each targeted host. Vulnerability Assessment: Additional testing is performed to confirm valid vulnerabilities, eliminate false positives, and validate target selection. Attack Planning: Using the information gathered, methods, tools and approaches are selected to track services that are likely to offer an opportunity to gain access. Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Tests are performed to provide command and control to unprotected hosts, applications, networks, and services, ideally persistently. Privilege Escalation and Lateral Movement: Post-exploit actions are performed to gain additional access, further penetration, elevate privileges, expose lateral hosts and gather additional information. Data Detection: Collecting sensitive information, configuration information and other evidence that may have an impact on target systems.