A penetration test is also called ethical hacking or pen test. It is like an official replicated cyber-attack on a computer system, which is executed to assess the system security. It should not be confused with vulnerability assessment. This test is executed to pinpoint the weaknesses. It includes the probability for illegal parties to attain access to the system’s data and features and strengths. This enables a complete risk evaluation to be completed.
Keeping this scenario in mind, we are presenting to the list of six vulnerabilities that cyber-security helps you to detect.
Insecure In-house Developed Apps
Companies do not test their own apps in a detailed manner like they do for customer’s apps. The input authentication fault is one main classification of susceptibility in this scenario. This is the point where client-facing input takes over the authentic subsystem functioning. These incorporate:
- Cross-site website scripting
- SQL app injections
Cyber criminals are mostly dependent on exploitation of vulnerabilities and inappropriate security practises. However, they victimise the misinformed and non-technical user the most. Meticulously keeping updated with the latest security patches and updates, and following well-rooted practises of cyber security can keep an organisation’s systems and its consumer’s safe against cyber-attacks.
Incompatibility of the Legacy Software
Pertinent to pitiable patch management, incorporating incompatible software reveals the wide range of vulnerabilities. Even though it still functions smoothly, however Microsoft detached support for Windows XP after almost a decade which indicated no more patches, it has turned out to be susceptible to cyber-attacks.
Patch Management
Enemies usually hit at the weakest points; the same philosophy is followed by the cyber criminals. They aim at the known weaknesses and exploit them. These are particularly the ones for which the patches have previously been out. The Information Technology managers who do not update their patches, particularly not caring much regarding updating of 3rd party apps like Java and Adobe, have in fact shown them to be vulnerable.
Pass the Hash Attack
This is the process of extracting information from the random length and positioning it into a pre-set length. Majority of the reply systems and passwords utilise the hashing procedure to alter a plaintext password into numbers and letters that would appear meaningless and random for a common user. A hacker can create a malevolent program to interject the hashed data when it is being communicated. This hashed data would be utilised to develop fake authentication and attain entrance to an apparently safe network.
Phishing
This is the common weapon used by the cyber criminals to reach the company’s private and confidential information. In this attack, the attacker tricks the customer by stealing their private data. They demand the user’s password by acting like a system administrator.
The attacker copies the interface and the layout of an app or website and tricks the customer to enter their password and username in the fake website that they have made. This is very dangerous and usually happens in the banking institutions. The customers who fall prey to such criminals lose trust in such banking institutions.
Recycled Password
Are you using the same password for each account? This is like putting your company under serious threat. Utilising recycled passwords or poor password practises across various platforms can allow the hackers to attack you very easily. In the situation where a password was stolen in a previous data-loss incident, the hacker would simply obtain access to a different, nevertheless, if not secure platform that utilises the same password.
Conclusion
These are the six vulnerabilities detected via penetration testing. For advanced treatment, organisations find best penetration testing companies. These companies have professionals and experts who can resolve any security related issue.
