Vulnerability assessment is a process run to detect, identify and classify the security loopholes in computers, websites, networks, information technology systems and also in communication systems. A minor loophole in your network can put your entire system at risk and let all your information out. The loopholes allow third parties and others to access and illicitly steal and exploit the database and information of your entire network system. Vulnerability is a process that is not much active and uses software tools for analysis.
Penetration testing however is an active process and require ethical hackers with profound knowledge of networking and hacking. A major difference between script kiddies and ethical hackers are that, script kiddies misuse the information and database for personal gain where as ethical hackers run the testing to find the loopholes and cover them up. In penetration testing, a security team is hired. The members of this security team are highly skilled, experienced and can be trusted. Many of them are certified ethical hackers. They ensure the integrity of the network and are coached to use similar methods that the computer hackers implement to get unlicensed access to the system. The professional experts then make the company aware of their weakness and what can be done to prevent from intruding and making the data public. Several ethical hacking institutes recruit experienced and skilled testers to prevent your network from a security breach.
Hiring a certified ethical hacker can protect and defend your network and computer from external attacks. The magnitude of damage done to your business and network systems entirely depends on the hackers. If vulnerability is major then hackers can cause major damage to the site. Gaining access to the internal and secretive database can down the website and literally deface the company. To get access to the network hackers inject Trojan viruses, horses or worms. Consequently, it slows down your network or may even shut down your website. It is a potential loss for the business owners, employees, clients and customers.
Going for a penetration testing is essential in every aspect. It is an investment and not an expense. Hackers look for loopholes in networks in order to steal database of a company. Fraudulence of credit cards purchase and then billing them on customers’ account is a usual matter. Therefore, penetration testing is mandatory as it prevents your network from a security breach. The report’s release the vulnerabilities found during the testing. If a vulnerability scanner is used it can successfully recognize vulnerabilities in Linux and Windows.