Wikipedia
A penetration test, colloquially known as a pen test or ethical hacking, is an authorized simulated cyberattack on a computer system, performed to evaluate the security of the system this is not to be confused with a vulnerability assessment The test is performed to identify weaknesses (also referred to as vulnerabilities), including the potential for unauthorized parties to gain access to the system's features and data, as well as strengths, enabling a full risk assessment to be completed The process typically identifies the target systems and a particular goal, then reviews available information and undertakes various means to attain that goal
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