Learn how to break systems, networks, and software in order to determine where the bad guys might get in. Once the holes have been determined, this short book discusses how they can be fixed. Until they have been located, they are exposures to your organization. By readingPenetration Testing Basics, you'll gain the foundations of a simple methodology used to perform penetration testing on systems and networks for which you are responsible. What You Will LearnIdentify security vulnerabilitiesUse some of the top security tools to identify holesRead reports from testing toolsSpot and negate common attacksIdentify common Web-based attacks and exposures as well as recommendations for closing those holesWho This Book Is ForAnyone who has some familiarity with computers and an interest in information security and penetration testing. 

Ric Messier, MS, GCIH, GSEC, CEH, CISSP is the program director for Cyber Security, Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations and the Economic Crime Investigation bachelors' degree programs, as well as the Digital Forensic Science master's degree program at Champlain College.Messier has been involved in the networking and security arena since the early 1980s. He has worked at large Internet service providers and small software companies developing knowledge and experience about a range of topics related to networking and security. Messier has also been involved on incident response teams and has been consulted on forensic investigations for large companies.An established expert in the field and author, Messier has published several articles for Hackin9 Magazine, has developed number of video training titles with O'Reilly Media and has written a number of books on information security.  

1. What Is Penetration Testing?.- 2. Digging for Information.- 3. Whats Open?.- 4. Vulnerabilities.- 5. Exploitation.- 6. Breaking Web Sites.- 7. Reporting.