Penetration testing is more than just exploiting systems — it's about thinking like an attacker while acting like a professional. In this post, I’ll share my personal methodology for approaching real-world penetration tests, the tools I use, and the mindset that guides my ethical decisions.
🧭 The Penetration Testing Lifecycle
Understanding the phases of a penetration test is crucial. I typically follow a structure similar to the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard):
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Reconnaissance | Gathering OSINT and target data. |
| Scanning | Identifying live hosts, open ports, services. |
| Enumeration | Extracting more detailed information about systems. |
| Exploitation | Gaining unauthorized access. |
| Post-Exploitation | Privilege escalation, lateral movement. |
| Reporting | Documenting findings, impacts, and mitigations. |
💡 Tip: Never skip proper documentation. It’s your strongest deliverable.
🛠️ My Favorite Tools by Phase
Here’s a list of tools I use in each phase:
| Phase | Tools Used |
|---|---|
| Reconnaissance | theHarvester, Shodan, Amass, SpiderFoot |
| Scanning | Nmap, Masscan, RustScan |
| Enumeration | Nmap NSE, Enum4linux, LDAPSearch, Nikto |
| Exploitation | Metasploit, SQLMap, Burp Suite, Impacket |
| Post-Exploitation | Mimikatz, BloodHound, Empire, CrackMapExec |
| Reporting | CherryTree, Dradis, Markdown with screenshots |
🧠 The Mindset: Think Like an Attacker, Report Like an Analyst
Successful penetration testers:
- Follow scope religiously — never test beyond authorized assets.
- Take detailed notes — logs, screenshots, and timestamps matter.
- Communicate risks, not just vulnerabilities — how could a real attacker leverage what you found?
📌 Ethical integrity is non-negotiable. A good pentest doesn’t harm — it hardens.
📝 Real-World Case: Bypassing Authentication to Access Admin Panel
Let’s take a simple, relatable example — you’re on an internal engagement, and you find a web app running behind Nginx reverse proxy. You try accessing the usual login page… nothing special. But then curiosity kicks in.
🤔 "What if I just try going directly to
/admin/dashboard.php?"
You hit enter and — boom — you’re in. No login, no session, nothing. (i know it was a lame example, just tryna tell you guys that everything is possible believe me :D)
https://target-site.com/admin/dashboard.php
🔍 Pro Tips
- Always verify vulnerabilities manually, don’t blindly trust scanners.
- Simulate post-exploitation in a controlled way — prove impact.
- Use virtual labs (like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, or your own) to stay sharp.
✅ Summary
Penetration testing is a craft — it demands both technical skill and ethical discipline. Following a clear methodology and documenting your work will separate you from the amateurs.
🔐 “Hacking isn't about breaking systems; it's about understanding them better than their creators.”
Want to learn about common mistakes beginners make in pentesting? Read my next blog →