The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing serves as an introduction to the steps required to complete a penetration test or perform an ethical hack from beginning to end. This book makes ethical hacking and penetration testing easy – no prior hacking experience is required. It shows how to properly utilize and interpret the results of the modern-day hacking tools required to complete a penetration test. With a simple and clean explanation of how to effectively utilize these tools – as well as the introduction to a four-step methodology for conducting a penetration test or hack – the book provides students with the know-how required to jump start their careers and gain a better understanding of offensive security.

The book is organized into 7 chapters that cover hacking tools such as Backtrack Linux, Google reconnaissance, MetaGooFil, dig, Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, Fast Track Autopwn, Netcat, and Hacker Defender rootkit. Each chapter contains hands-on examples and exercises that are designed to teach learners how to interpret results and utilize those results in later phases. PowerPoint slides are available for use in class.

This book is an ideal reference for security consultants, beginning InfoSec professionals, and students.

• Named a 2011 Best Hacking and Pen Testing Book by InfoSec Reviews
• Each chapter contains hands-on examples and exercises that are designed to teach you how to interpret the results and utilize those results in later phases.
• Writen by an author who works in the field as a Penetration Tester and who teaches Offensive Security, Penetration Testing, and Ethical Hacking, and Exploitation classes at Dakota State University.
• Utilizes the Backtrack Linus distribution and focuses on the seminal tools required to complete a penetration test.

Chapter 1. What is Penetration Testing? Chapter 2. Reconnaissance Chapter 3. Scanning Chapter 4. Exploitation Chapter 5. Web Based Exploitation Chapter 6. Maintaining Access with Backdoors and Rootkits Chapter 7. Trapping Up the Penetration Test

"...an introduction to what ethical hacking involves, and a primer for more indepth technical volumes...it does get its hands dirty with guides to using the main tools. But each technique or piece of software is only covered to the depth required to give you a good feel for what’s going on..."--Network Security, December 1 2011

The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing serves as an introduction to the steps required to complete a penetration test or perform an ethical hack from beginning to end. No prior hacking experience is needed. You learn how to properly utilize and interpret the results of modern day hacking tools, which are required to complete a penetration test. Tool coverage includes Backtrack Linux, Google reconnaissance, MetaGooFil, dig, Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, Fast Track Autopwn, Netcat, Hacker Defender rootkit, and more. A simple and clean explanation of how to effectively utilize these tools as well as the introduction to a four-step methodology for conducting a penetration test or hack, will provide you with know-how required to jump start your career or gain a better understanding of offensive security. The book serves as an introduction to penetration testing and hacking and will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge. After completing the book readers will be prepared to take on in-depth and advanced topics in hacking and penetration testing. The book walks through each of the steps and tools in a structured, orderly manner allowing readers to understand how the output from each tool can be fully utilized in the subsequent phases of the penetration test. This process allows readers to clearly see how the tools and phases relate.

• Each chapter contains hands-on examples and exercises that are designed to teach you how to interpret the results and utilize those results in later phases
• Written by an author who works in the field as a Penetration Tester and who teaches Offensive Security, Penetration Testing, and Ethical Hacking, and Exploitation classes at Dakota State University
• Utilizes the Backtrack Linux distribution and focuses on the seminal tools required to complete a penetration test