Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Guide

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Preface
Ethical hacking strikes all of us as a subject that requires a great deal of prerequisite knowledge 
about things like heavy duty software, languages that includes hordes of syntaxes, algorithms 
that could be generated by maestros only. Well that’s not the case, to some extent. This book 
introduces the steps required to complete a penetration test, or ethical hack. Requiring no prior 
hacking experience, the book explains how to utilize and interpret the results of modern day 
hacking tools that are required to complete a penetration test. Coverage includes Backtrack Linux, 
Google Reconnaissance, MetaGooFil, dig, Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, Fast Track Autopwn, 
Netcat, and Hacker Defender rootkit. Simple explanations of how to use these tools and a four-
step methodology for conducting a penetration test provide readers with a better understanding 
of offensive security.
Being an ethical hacker myself, I know how difficult it is for people who are new into hacking 
to excel at this skill without having any prior knowledge and understanding of how things work. 
Keeping this exigent thing in mind, I have provided those who are keen to learn ethical hacking 
with the best possible explanations in the most easy and understandable manner so that they will 
not only gain pleasure while reading, but they will have the urge to put into practice what have 
they learned from it. 
The sole aim and objective of writing this book is to target the beginners who look for a com-
plete guide to turn their dream of becoming an ethical hacker into a reality. This book elucidates 
the building blocks of ethical hacking that will help readers to develop an insight of the matter in 
hand. It will help them fathom what ethical hacking is all about and how one can actually run a 
penetration test with great success.
I have put in a lot of hard work to make this book a success. I remember spending hours and 
hours in front of my computer typing indefatigably, ignoring all the text messages of my friends 
when they asked me to come along and spend some time with them, which left me despondent, 
but now, when I see my book finally completed, it gives me immense pleasure that the efforts of a 
whole year have finally paid off.
This book came out as a result of my own experiences during my ethical hacking journey. 
Experiences that are worth sharing with all the passionate people out there.
It makes me elated to the core when I see my third book on the subject of hacking published, 
and I hope and pray that everyone likes it.
Best of luck to everyone out there.