Network penetration testing is an ethical and safe way to identify security gaps or flaws in the design, implementation or operation of the organization’s network. The testers perform analysis and exploits to assess whether modems, remote access devices and maintenance connections can be used to penetrate the test target.
What is Network Penetration Testing ?
Network penetration testing identifies the exploits and vulnerabilities those exist within computer network infrastructure and help to confirm the security measures. The objective of this paper is to explain methodology and methos behind penetration testing and illustrate remedies over it, which will provide substantial value for network security Penetration testing should model real world attacks as closely as possible. An authorized and scheduled penetration testing will probably detected by IDS (Intrusion Detection System). Network penetration testing is done by either or manual automated tools. Penetration test can gather evidence of vulnerability in the network. Successful testing provides indisputable evidence of the problem as well as starting point for prioritizing remediation. Penetration testing focuses on high severity vulnerabilities and there are no false positive.
What is Network based attacks ?
“Network based attacks” use network protocol function‐ alities for exploitation and damage. Network based attacks are extended for Port Scanning, IP Spoofing, Sniffing, Session Hijacking, DoS attacks, buffer overflow at‐ tack impairs the target system by overflowing a buffer whose boundry is unchecked. ,format string attacks, and other exploitation of vulnerabilities in operating sys‐ tems, application systems and network protocols.
By using public networks businesses and public authorities are exposed to numerous risks. Public and private entities are often unable to grasp the full extent of today’s complex communication structures and frequently have little or no control over them. Enterprises and public authorities connect to the internet, thereby yielding some of their responsibility (for Example availability of external servers and networks), but also exposing themselves to new threats which need to be tackled appropriately.
Internal network penetration testing
Internal network penetration testing involves testing the security weaknesses and strengths of an organization’s computers and devices from within the company. It includes checking the site location and connecting to the internal network. It is mainly performed to check for known vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Internal penetration testing is carried out from within an organization. It uses almost the same tools and methods as external penetration testing to test the internal network. The difference is that external penetration testing is conducted from outside an organization, so it generally focuses on unknown vulnerabilities. Internal penetration testing highlights the following elements of an organization’s network:
- Protocol and network infrastructure vulnerabilities
- Server operating system and application vulnerabilities
- Internal controls and procedures
- Unsuitable user privileges
- Internal “intrawalls” separating subnetworks The following scenarios need to be addressed when conducting an internal penetration test:
- What if an employee with knowledge of the IT infrastructure penetrates the network?
- What if a hacker breaks into the internal networks that house employees’ PCs and databases, and steals sensitive information?
- What if a casual guest or visitor walks into the company and steals data from an isolated machine?
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