Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What method does a penetration tester employ to identify network and service vulnerabilities?

1. Data enrichment

2. Network segmentation

3. Scalability testing

4. Information gathering techniques

The correct answer is: Information gathering techniques

A penetration tester employs information gathering techniques as a foundational step in identifying network and service vulnerabilities. This method encompasses various activities designed to collect as much relevant data as possible about the target system or network before attempting to exploit any weaknesses. Information gathering can include techniques such as reconnaissance, where tools and processes are used to map out the network topology, identify open ports, and determine the services running on those ports. This phase provides a wealth of information that can lead to the identification of potential vulnerabilities, such as outdated software, exposed services, and misconfigurations that could be exploited during an attack. By systematically gathering information, penetration testers can make informed decisions about which weaknesses to target, helping them to better simulate a real-world attack scenario. This comprehensive approach ensures that they have a clear understanding of the environment they are working with, allowing for more effective vulnerability identification and subsequent remediation recommendations. The other options do not serve the primary purpose of identifying vulnerabilities in the same direct way. Data enrichment refers to enhancing existing data, network segmentation is about dividing a network into segments for performance or security reasons, and scalability testing assesses how well a system can handle increased loads, thus not directly focusing on vulnerability identification.