Nowadays, we do almost everything online: we work, chat, upload files, use apps for everything... and without realizing it, we leave a lot of personal data everywhere. The problem is that the more connected we are, the easier it is for someone to try to sneak in where they shouldn't.
Now imagine this: you have your house well protected, with cameras, alarms, and reinforced locks. Everything seems to be in order... until one day someone enters through a window you left ajar. The same thing happens with digital systems. You can have everything “secure,” but a single mistake can open the door to a cyberattack.
That's where pentesting comes in. What is that? Basically, it's “self-hacking” your system, but with permission and with the intention of finding flaws before someone with malicious intent does. It's like giving your digital security a complete checkup to see if you're missing anything.
And beware, not all pentests are the same. There are different types depending on what you want to check: your network, your website, your mobile apps, even your own employees (yes, the human factor is also tested).
In this article, we'll explain the most commonly used types of pentesting, what each one is for, and when you should apply them.
What are the types of pentesting tests?
To thoroughly check how a system's security is performing, it is best to perform a penetration test that is tailored to each case. It is not just a matter of “seeing if everything is okay,” but of digging deep, detecting real vulnerabilities, and extracting valuable information that will help improve the system.
To do this, cybersecurity experts use different types of pentesting, depending on the level of access they have to the systems. Each has its own style and usefulness, and here we tell you about the three most common ones:
White Box Pentesting
This is the most comprehensive of all. Here, the security team (the famous ethical hackers) has full access to the information: configurations, source code, passwords, everything.
Thanks to this, they can perform a super detailed analysis of how the infrastructure is set up and find weak points with great precision. It is ideal for identifying internal errors, misconfigurations, or hidden vulnerabilities that cannot be seen from the outside.
Of course, it takes time and companies have to share a lot of information, but the result is worth it.
Black box pentesting
This type of test is the opposite: the ethical hacker knows almost nothing about the system. They arrive “blind,” as a real attacker would from the outside.
Their mission is to investigate, explore, and try to find a way in, without having access to internal data. This makes it excellent for seeing how exposed you are from the outside and how your system would react to a real attack without warning.
It is the most realistic, but also the most limited in terms of depth, because there is zero access from the start.
Grey box pentesting
This is the middle ground between the previous two. In a grey box test, the pentester has some internal information: for example, access credentials or a basic map of the network. They don't know everything, but they don't start from scratch either.
The advantage is that it is possible to simulate quite well how an attacker who already has partial access to the system (such as a disgruntled employee or someone who obtained data through phishing) would act.
This type of test is one of the most recommended, as it allows you to see both internal and external vulnerabilities and save time without losing depth.
Read more: What is Pentesting in Cybersecurity?
There are also other types of penetration tests that focus more on specific areas
1. Network Pentesting
This type of test focuses on evaluating the security of an organization's network infrastructure. It can be performed on internal networks (intranet) or external networks (accessible from the Internet).
Objective:
To detect vulnerabilities such as open ports, insecure configurations, obsolete protocols, or unauthorized access.
Examples of threats detected:
- Denial of service (DDoS) attacks
- Privilege escalation
- Traffic interception (sniffing)
When is it recommended?
Ideal when you want to protect internal or external connectivity, especially in organizations with complex network infrastructure.
2. Web Application Pentesting
Web applications are one of the favorite targets of cybercriminals. This type of pentesting focuses on analyzing vulnerabilities in websites, portals, APIs, and web-based services.
Objective:
To identify security flaws such as SQL injections, XSS (cross-site scripting), weak authentication, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities.
Common tools:
-
Burp Suite
-
OWASP ZAP
-
Nikto
When is it recommended?
Whenever a new web application is launched or when significant changes are made to the code.
3. Mobile Application Pentesting
This type of test analyzes mobile applications on operating systems such as Android and iOS to identify vulnerabilities that could compromise user information or data integrity.
Objective:
To detect insecure storage, authentication errors, data leaks, or unencrypted connections.
Why is it important?
The growth in the use of mobile devices has made apps one of the most critical attack vectors today.
4. Social Engineering Pentesting
This type of pentesting evaluates the human factor within an organization. Often, the weakest link in cybersecurity is the user themselves.
Objective:
Simulate attacks such as phishing, fraudulent phone calls (vishing), or unauthorized physical visits to test the level of security awareness and training of employees.
Examples:
- Sending fake emails asking for passwords.
- Calls pretending to be support technicians.
- Unauthorized physical access to offices.
When is it recommended?
It is ideal as part of a comprehensive security audit, especially in companies with a large number of employees or that handle sensitive information.
5. Cloud Infrastructure Pentesting
With the rise of services such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, pentesting in cloud environments has become essential.
Objective:
To identify errors in cloud service configuration, access management, misuse of roles, or exposure of data in public buckets.
Importance:
Many companies believe that cloud security is the sole responsibility of the provider, but in reality it remains shared. Misuse or misconfiguration of services can open doors to attackers.
Conclusion
Pentesting is an essential tool in any modern cybersecurity strategy. Far from being a practice exclusive to large technology companies, it is now accessible to organizations of all sizes seeking to protect their information, ensure user trust, and avoid the financial risks associated with cyberattacks.
At TecnetOne, we have certified and experienced ethical hackers to help you identify and fix vulnerabilities before they pose a real risk. If you want to strengthen the security of your infrastructure and make informed decisions, our team is ready to support you every step of the way.
