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. 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 will include, Backtrack Linux, Google, Whois, Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, Netcat, Netbus, and more. A simple and clean explanation of how to utilize these tools will allow you to gain a solid understanding of each of the four phases and prepare them to take on more in-depth texts and topics. This book includes the use of a single example (pen test target) all the way through the book which allows you to clearly see how the tools and phases relate.
Dr. Patrick Engebretson obtained his Doctor of Science degree with a specialization in Information Security from Dakota State University. He served as Dean of The Beacom College from 2020-2023. Prior to serving as dean, he was Chief Information Officer for East River Electric. Before joining East River, Dr. Engebretson worked for the Department of Defense, where he focused on cyber security projects. He also served as a tenured Associate Professor of Computer and Network Security, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in information security including penetration testing, intrusion detection, exploitation, and malware. Dr. Engebretson has been invited by the Department of Homeland Security to share his research at the Software Assurance Forum in Washington, DC and has also spoken at Black Hat in Las Vegas. His research interests include penetration testing, hacking, intrusion detection, exploitation, honey pots, and malware.