In our interconnected world, having secure Wi-Fi isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for home and public internet use, as well as for the safety of Internet of Things devices and more. But do you check if your networks are secure?
Enter penetration testing, also known as wireless pen testing or pentest. It’s a way to make sure your wireless devices are keeping your data safe. In short, it’s a lifesaver for wireless network security.
At ThinkPalm, we perform wireless pen testing to ensure that your wireless devices do not compromise on security matters.
This article will guide you through wireless penetration testing, including how to perform a pentest, the steps involved, and its benefits. It also explains how ThinkPalm can add value to your Wi-Fi devices through its robust pen testing services using the most advanced methods.
So, let’s dive deep into the world of wireless penetration testing! Learn how to strengthen your Wi-Fi and protect your data!
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack on a network, computer system, or application. To make it clear, pen testing uses the help of a friendly/ethical hacker you hire to break into your system to find the security risks before a real hacker penetrates/gains access to your network. Hence, if your friendly hacker can enter your system, you get insights into how you should bolster your network with strong security steps.
Wireless penetration testing includes recognizing and verifying the vulnerabilities in your network system and fixing them before they get hacked. Pen testing is all about testing your Wi-Fi networks, wireless access points, Bluetooth devices, routers, laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices. Wireless network vulnerabilities arise from weak passwords, issues in connection setup, wireless sniffing, and many more.
Why Should You Implement Penetration Testing at ThinkPalm’s Wireless Lab?
Since Wi-Fi relies on wireless signals, it is prone to malicious attacks from hackers who try to access the network. It can be a potential risk for both home and business networks. Often, it becomes even more risky when there is an increase in the number of connected networks. Therefore, penetration testing at ThinkPalm identifies and prioritizes security vulnerabilities, verifies if the existing security system works perfectly, and makes fixes for risks proactively.
We also verify and test your wireless devices for regulatory compliance regarding network security and industry best practices. Also, pen testing is a vital part of any comprehensive security measures adopted.
How Does ThinkPalm Perform Penetration Testing?
There are essentially six steps in wireless pen testing. Let’s go through these fundamental steps to conduct the test.
1. Reconnaissance
Wireless pen tests start with the Reconnaissance phase, where your ethical hacker collects data, which they will use to plan the simulated cyberattack. After this, the focus shifts toward accessing the targeted network/system.
The first step in pen testing helps your friendly hacker recognize potential security risks and plan counterattacks in advance before damage occurs. Typically, the activities performed under the reconnaissance phase may change depending on the objectives and scope of the pen testing.
2. Identify Wireless Networks
The second crucial step in pen testing is scanning and identifying wireless networks. Pen testers use tools to verify the target network or system and expose vulnerabilities such as open-source software security risks and application security issues. For this, pen testers leverage several tools in accordance with their findings during the reconnaissance phase.
Common security vulnerabilities include outdated software and problems in network/system setup. It also helps pen testers identify open ports and offers useful insights for moving on to the next phase of pen testing.
3. Research Vulnerabilities
Hackers enter networks to steal, modify, or delete data, or they may have the motive to mar a company’s goodwill. Hence, pen testers make use of the best tools to break into a network. For example, it can be through a vulnerability or using malicious software and so on.
Once they identify the vulnerabilities, they use several hacking methods used by real hackers. The primary purpose of this phase is to understand the potential consequences of a cyberattack.
4. Exploitation and Maintaining Access
In certain cases, pen testers try to maintain access to the network for a very long period. In fact, it allows them to check further and get clear insights about the hacker’s intention to establish a permanent presence in the network/system.
The fundamental purpose is to simulate any instance of continuous threats that last several months. This phase helps pen testers check whether the techniques used by hackers would work in their network conditions.
5. Reporting
Another critical step is documenting the pen testing process. The report discusses the security risks identified, the approaches used to gain access, and recommendations for fixing the vulnerabilities. Overall, the detailed report helps you resolve the weaknesses in your network/system to enhance security measures.
It also prioritizes the findings in accordance with the possible damages it can cause. Therefore, it enables you to address the most vital issues first and helps with the remedial measures to improve the overall security of your network.
6. Remediation
Remediation, as the name indicates, refers to the process of resolving security risks found at the time of pen testing. It includes fixing any kind of software issues, using strong passwords, and adjusting the network settings. These activities prevent malicious hackers from exploiting the weaknesses concerning your wireless networks.
The fundamental purpose of the remediation phase is to address the weaknesses in the network in accordance with those identified during the test. Further, it strengthens wireless security and eliminates unauthorized access to the network.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Pen Testing?
There is an increasing need for pen testing, and businesses need to have greater visibility on how hackers break into their systems. Also, there are several regulations that make periodic pen testing mandatory for them.
Let’s consider a few important advantages and disadvantages of pen testing.
Advantages of Pen testing
- Helps find loopholes in security practices
- Identifies security weaknesses in software
- Mimic the way malicious hackers break into the system
Disadvantages of Pen testing
- Costly and labor-intensive
- Can lead to a complete outage
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five stages of penetration testing?
The five stages in pen testing are reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and reporting.
What is the significance of penetration testing?
Pen testing verifies the ability of a business to protect its network from malicious hackers and applications.
Who implements penetration testing?
Pen testing is performed by ethical hackers who are authorized to break into a network or system to identify security risks and fix them.
Final Remarks
Are you yet to decide whether to implement penetration testing? ThinkPalm creates expert strategies that meet all your unique needs, helping you ideally balance its pros and cons. If you are baffled, our expert ethical hackers can suggest the best approach based on their knowledge and expertise.
At ThinkPalm, we offer reliable, customized services as we possess comprehensive knowledge in all areas of wireless testing services. In fact, our advanced wireless testing lab with the Candela tool and LANforge software suite is an example of how we put in the best efforts to deliver top-quality results for our clients. We have a full-fledged team equipped to perform pen testing and fix security risks after implementing each test phase.
So, what are you waiting for? Connect with us today to identify security vulnerabilities in your network and instantly fix them based on the findings and recommendations of our expert pen testers.
Author Bio
Silpa Sasidharan is a content writer and social media copywriting expert working at ThinkPalm Technologies, who aspires to create marketing texts for topics spanning from technology, automation and digital business solutions.
