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Penetration testing, or ethical hacking, is a critical skill in cybersecurity. This guide outlines the steps, certifications, and technical skills required to launch a successful career as a penetration tester.
Key Steps to Become a Penetration Tester
- Learn Networking & Operating Systems: Master Linux (Kali Linux) and Windows command-line tools.
- Understand Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Study vulnerabilities, exploits, and defense mechanisms.
3. Get Certified: Pursue certifications like:
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
- OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
- CompTIA Security+
- Practice Hands-On: Use platforms like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, and VulnHub.
- Build a Portfolio: Document your penetration testing projects and write-ups.
🔗 Read more: StationX Penetration Testing Guide
You Should Know:
Essential Linux Commands for Penetration Testing
<h1>Network Scanning</h1> nmap -sV -A target.com sudo netdiscover -r 192.168.1.0/24 <h1>Exploitation with Metasploit</h1> msfconsole use exploit/multi/handler set payload windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp exploit <h1>Password Cracking with John the Ripper</h1> john --wordlist=/usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt hashes.txt <h1>Web App Testing with SQLmap</h1> sqlmap -u "http://test.com/page?id=1" --dbs
Windows Commands for Security Testing
<h1>Check Open Ports</h1> netstat -ano <h1>Find Vulnerable Services</h1> wmic service get name,displayname,pathname,startmode | findstr /i "auto" <h1>Extract Password Hashes (Requires Admin)</h1> reg save HKLM\SAM SAM.bak reg save HKLM\SYSTEM SYSTEM.bak
Practice Labs & Resources
- Hack The Box: https://www.hackthebox.com/
- TryHackMe: https://tryhackme.com/
- VulnHub: https://www.vulnhub.com/
What Undercode Say
Becoming a penetration tester requires continuous learning. Start with basic networking, move to scripting (Python/Bash), and practice daily. Use tools like Wireshark, Burp Suite, and Nmap. Stay updated with cybersecurity blogs and CTF challenges.
Expected Output:
Starting Nmap 7.92 ( https://nmap.org ) Nmap scan report for target.com (192.168.1.1) PORT STATE SERVICE VERSION 80/tcp open http Apache httpd 2.4.41 443/tcp open ssl/http Apache httpd 2.4.41
This guide provides a structured path to enter penetration testing. Follow the steps, practice relentlessly, and earn relevant certifications to succeed. 🚀
References:
Reported By: Housenathan How – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅