17 Questions
What are some potential risks of a penetration test that could result in degradation of system performance?
files related to the pen test process being written to the client’s system
What is a potential risk of a pen tester elevating privileges during a test?
sensitive information disclosure
Why is a black box test considered the most risky type of penetration test?
it has the greatest potential to cause damage and can lead to unintended consequences
What should a penetration tester obtain before conducting a black box test?
a prior, written, signed agreement
What is the first step of a malicious attack that is also incorporated in a black box test?
reconnaissance
What is a potential risk of a pen tester losing track of changes made to a client's system?
existing client files could be corrupted or deleted
What is the first phase of a malicious attack, where an attacker gathers information about the intended target?
Reconnaissance
What is the purpose of the 'Maintenance' phase of a malicious attack?
To maintain access to the system after it has been infiltrated
What is a crucial component of an organization's security policy, which should include guidelines for email and internet access, user rights, and vendor access?
Component policies
What is the purpose of conducting a penetration test, and what should be completed immediately prior to the test?
To identify vulnerabilities, and a full system backup
What is the primary goal of the 'Obscure' phase of a malicious attack?
To ensure actions and activity cannot be detected or penalized
What is the purpose of having an automated security system, such as an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), in place?
To detect and prevent potential security breaches
What is the primary goal of a successful penetration test, and what benefits does it bring to the security of a system?
The primary goal of a successful penetration test is to bypass or overcome security barriers, enabling the discovery of vulnerabilities and other flaws in systems and organizational security policies. This ultimately permits improvement and strengthening of the security controls.
What critical phase of penetration testing is responsible for identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a system?
The execution phase of penetration testing is responsible for identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a system.
What is the purpose of the reporting phase in penetration testing, and what information should it include?
The purpose of the reporting phase is to document the findings and results of the penetration test, including identified vulnerabilities and recommendations for remediation. The report should include information about the vulnerabilities discovered, the methods used to exploit them, and the risk associated with each vulnerability.
What is the primary objective of the preparation phase in penetration testing, and what activities are typically involved?
The primary objective of the preparation phase is to gather information about the target system and plan the penetration test. This phase typically involves activities such as reconnaissance, network mapping, and vulnerability scanning.
What is the relationship between risk assessment and penetration testing, and how do they inform each other?
Risk assessment is a critical component of penetration testing, as it helps to identify potential vulnerabilities and prioritize the efforts of the pen tester. The results of the penetration test, in turn, inform the risk assessment by providing actionable information about the likelihood and potential impact of identified vulnerabilities.
This quiz covers the risks associated with penetration testing, including potential degradation of system performance and unwanted file writing to the client's system. Understand the potential downsides of pen testing and how to mitigate them. Learn about the risks involved in trying to 'break' a system.
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