Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which operation involves gathering information such as network configuration and hardware details?

1. Performing the penetration test

2. Analyzing results

3. Defining the scope

4. Reporting findings

The correct answer is: Performing the penetration test

The operation that involves gathering information such as network configuration and hardware details is performing the penetration test. This phase is crucial in the ethical hacking process, as it aims to understand the target environment in depth. During penetration testing, ethical hackers collect data about the network architecture, identify devices, services, and any vulnerabilities present. This information is fundamental for crafting effective testing strategies and exploring potential attack vectors. In contrast, defining the scope pertains to outlining what areas will be tested and the limitations of the engagement, while analyzing results involves reviewing and interpreting data gathered during the testing phase. Reporting findings occurs at the end, where the outcomes of the tests are documented and presented to stakeholders. Each of these activities is essential to the overall penetration testing process but does not specifically focus on the information-gathering aspect as performing the penetration test does.