Penetration Testing

Penetration testers, the security professionals who simulate attacks on computer systems, look for weak points in networks, operating systems and software before real intruders can exploit them. This hands-on guide, written by a researcher and instructor who specializes in mobile security, introduces the core skills of the field. Readers work through practical exercises in a virtual lab built around Kali Linux and deliberately vulnerable machines, using common tools for scanning, password cracking, web testing and exploitation. The book follows the stages of a real assessment, from gathering information about a target to gaining access and moving deeper once inside. Along the way it covers writing custom exploits, automating social engineering, and getting past antivirus protection. It closes with an examination of attacking smartphones using the author's own framework.