pen-test
Penetration Testing Essentials
Become a cybersecurity expert. Learn how to fix vulnerabilities in a system through simulated attacks.
- 20 Interactive Lessons and 107 topics mapped to the official exam objectives
- 224 Practice Test Questions and 1 Full Length Tests
Beginner Self-paced · 1 year access 4.5/5 (323 Reviews)
20Interactive Lessons
107Topics
224Practice Test Questions
93Flashcards
93Glossary of terms
01 / Skills you'll get
What you will be able to do
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The online Penetration Testing Essentials course equips you with the knowledge and skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. You’ll learn how to simulate cyber attacks in a controlled environment to assess security weaknesses and develop strategies to protect against real-world threats. The comprehensive study guide focuses on ethical hacking techniques and the importance of using these skills to enhance cybersecurity.
- Understanding of common operating systems and their architecture
- Understanding of networking concepts, protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP), and network topologies
- Understanding of cryptographic algorithms & encryption/decryption techniques
- Gather information about target systems using various techniques
- Scanning and enumeration to identify live systems, open ports, and services on a network
- Identify common vulnerabilities using tools
- Understanding of password-cracking tools and techniques
- Knowledge of backdoor techniques and malware
- Documenting and reporting penetration testing findings
- Understanding of IDS technologies and evasion techniques
- Perform firewall configurations and bypass methods
- Knowledge of honeypot technology and its use in security testing
- Understanding of wireless network security, encryption protocols (WPA, WPA2), and attack methods
- Manipulate social engineering tactics and techniques to exploit human behavior
- Identify and implement security best practices for strengthening systems and networks
Course Highlights
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20 Structured Lessons Comprehensive coverage of core course objectives
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224 Practice Questions Assessment tests with detailed answer rationales
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1 Year Full Access Self-paced learning accessible anytime on all devices
02 / Lessons & labs
See exactly what you will learn and practice
Lessons
20 Interactive Lessons · 107 topics01 Introduction +
02 Introduction to Penetration Testing 3 topics +
- Defining Penetration Testing
- Preserving Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability
- Appreciating the Evolution of Hacking
03 Introduction to Operating Systems and Networking 2 topics +
- Comparing Common Operating Systems
- Exploring Networking Concepts
04 Introduction to Cryptography 7 topics +
- Recognizing the Four Goals of Cryptography
- The History of Encryption
- Speaking Intelligently About Cryptography
- Comparing Symmetric and Asymmetric Cryptography
- Transforming Data via Hashing
- A Hybrid System: Using Digital Signatures
- Working with PKI
05 Outlining the Pen Testing Methodology 4 topics +
- Determining the Objective and Scope of the Job
- Choosing the Type of Test to Perform
- Gaining Permission via a Contract
- Following the Law While Testing
06 Gathering Intelligence 11 topics +
- Introduction to Intelligence Gathering
- Examining a Company's Web Presence
- Finding Websites That Don't Exist Anymore
- Gathering Information with Search Engines
- Targeting Employees with People Searches
- Discovering Location
- Do Some Social Networking
- Looking via Financial Services
- Investigating Job Boards
- Searching Email
- Extracting Technical Information
07 Scanning and Enumeration 7 topics +
- Introduction to Scanning
- Checking for Live Systems
- Performing Port Scanning
- Identifying an Operating System
- Scanning for Vulnerabilities
- Using Proxies (Or Keeping Your Head Down)
- Performing Enumeration
08 Conducting Vulnerability Scanning 4 topics +
- Introduction to Vulnerability Scanning
- Recognizing the Limitations of Vulnerability Scanning
- Outlining the Vulnerability Scanning Process
- Types of Scans That Can Be Performed
09 Cracking Passwords 7 topics +
- Recognizing Strong Passwords
- Choosing a Password-Cracking Technique
- Executing a Passive Online Attack
- Executing an Active Online Attack
- Executing an Offline Attack
- Using Nontechnical Methods
- Escalating Privileges
10 Retaining Access with Backdoors and Malware 9 topics +
- Deciding How to Attack
- Installing a Backdoor with PsTools
- Opening a Shell with LAN Turtle
- Recognizing Types of Malware
- Launching Viruses
- Launching Worms
- Launching Spyware
- Inserting Trojans
- Installing Rootkits
11 Reporting 5 topics +
- Reporting the Test Parameters
- Collecting Information
- Highlighting the Important Information
- Adding Supporting Documentation
- Conducting Quality Assurance
12 Working with Defensive and Detection Systems 5 topics +
- Detecting Intrusions
- Recognizing the Signs of an Intrusion
- Evading an IDS
- Breaching a Firewall
- Using Honeypots: The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
13 Covering Your Tracks and Evading Detection 6 topics +
- Recognizing the Motivations for Evasion
- Getting Rid of Log Files
- Hiding Files
- Evading Antivirus Software
- Evading Defenses by Entering Through a Backdoor
- Using Rootkits for Evasion
14 Detecting and Targeting Wireless 7 topics +
- An Introduction to Wireless
- Breaking Wireless Encryption Technologies
- Conducting a Wardriving Attack
- Conducting Other Types of Attack
- Choosing Tools to Attack Wireless
- Knocking Out Bluetooth
- Hacking the Internet of Things (IoT)
15 Dealing with Mobile Device Security 6 topics +
- Recognizing Current-Generation Mobile Devices
- Working with Android OS
- Working with Apple iOS
- Finding Security Holes in Mobile Devices
- Encountering Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- Choosing Tools to Test Mobile Devices
16 Performing Social Engineering 6 topics +
- Introduction to Social Engineering
- Exploiting Human Traits
- Acting Like a Social Engineer
- Targeting Specific Victims
- Leveraging Social Networking
- Conducting Safer Social Networking
17 Hardening a Host System 6 topics +
- Introduction to Hardening
- Three Tenets of Defense
- Creating a Security Baseline
- Hardening with Group Policy
- Hardening Desktop Security
- Backing Up a System
18 Hardening Your Network 4 topics +
- Introduction to Network Hardening
- Intrusion Detection Systems
- Firewalls
- Physical Security Controls
19 Navigating the Path to Job Success 4 topics +
- Choosing Your Career Path
- Build a Library
- Practice Technical Writing
- Display Your Skills
20 Building a Test Lab for Penetration Testing 4 topics +
- Deciding to Build a Lab
- Considering Virtualization
- Getting Starting and What You Will Need
- Installing Software
03 / FAQs
Questions before you start
What is the Penetration Testing Essentials course? +
It is a comprehensive online course that offers a solid foundation in penetration testing and prepares you for high-paying cybersecurity jobs. It covers a wide range of topics, including fundamentals of penetration testing, operating systems and networking, cryptography, penetration testing methodology and ethical hacking techniques.
Who should take this course? +
All those wanting to pursue a career in cybersecurity or enhance their existing skills in this field should take this course. IT professionals working as network administrators, systems engineers, security analysts, and software developers are ideal candidates. Cybersecurity enthusiasts or students majoring in computer science, information technology, or related fields will benefit from this course.
What are the prerequisites for this Penetration Testing course? +
Yes, it is a beginner-friendly course. You can build on your penetration testing skills gradually.
Will there be any assessments with this course? +
Yes, this course has pre and post-assessments to validate your learning.
Is there a certificate awarded after the completion? +
Yes, after completing the course, you’ll be awarded a certificate of completion.
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