Attacks and Exploits: Specialized Attacks and Post Exploitation for CompTIA Pentest+ from Pluralsight

In this course you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to prepare for the CompTIA Pentest+ exam. You'll learn how to research attack vectors, and conduct physical and social engineering attacks and apply post-exploitation techniques.

If you're preparing to take the CompTIA Pentest+ exam you will need to understand a few key skills. In this course, Attacks and Exploits: Specialized Attacks and Post Exploitation for CompTIA Pentest+, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills required to research attack vectors and perform digital, physical, and social engineering attacks against various technologies. First, you’ll explore how to exploit specialized systems such as mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. Next, you’ll discover how to influence people to conduct social engineering and physical attacks. Finally, you’ll learn how to perform post-exploitation activities to gain further access to systems, retain access, escalate privileges, avoid detection, and exfiltrate data. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to research attack vectors and perform attacks against specialized systems, conduct physical and social engineering attacks and apply post-exploitation techniques in preparation for the CompTIA Pentest+ exam.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Attacks Against Cloud Technologies

Attacking and Exploiting Specialized Systems

Social Engineering and Physical Attacks

Post-exploitation

Domain Summary

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners seeking knowledge in CompTIA Pentest+

Develops specialized attack skills needed for CompTIA Pentest+ certification

Teaches specialized attack techniques against mobile devices, IoT, ICS, and virtualization technologies

Emphasizes hands-on practice in social engineering and physical attacks

Prepares learners for post-exploitation activities, enhancing their attack capabilities

Requires familiarity with CompTIA Pentest+ exam objectives for optimal comprehension

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Attacks and Exploits: Specialized Attacks and Post Exploitation for CompTIA Pentest+ with these activities:

Review networking basics by creating a simple LAN

Show steps

Refreshes your networking knowledge which will help you better grasp the concepts in the course and begin on a level playing field.

Browse courses on Networking

Show steps

Plan the layout of your network
Gather the necessary materials (computers, cables, etc.)
Configure the network settings on each computer
Test the network connectivity

Create a cheat sheet of common attack vectors

Show steps

Helps you organize and retain knowledge of various attack vectors, making them easily accessible for quick reference during penetration testing.

Browse courses on Attack Vectors

Show steps

Research different types of attack vectors
Identify the key characteristics and techniques of each vector
Create a concise cheat sheet summarizing the information

Participate in an online discussion forum dedicated to penetration testing

Show steps

Connects you with other penetration testers, allowing you to share knowledge, ask questions, and stay up-to-date on industry best practices.

Browse courses on Penetration Testing

Show steps

Find an online discussion forum dedicated to penetration testing
Join the forum and create an account
Participate in discussions and ask questions

Nine other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 12 activities

Complete a video tutorial on social engineering techniques

Show steps

Provides a structured approach to learning social engineering techniques and their applications in penetration testing.

Browse courses on Social Engineering

Show steps

Find a video tutorial on social engineering techniques
Follow the steps demonstrated in the tutorial
Practice applying these techniques in a simulated environment

Explore Attack Vectors

Show steps

Follow guided tutorials to explore a variety of attack vectors.

Browse courses on Attack Vectors

Show steps

Choose a tutorial that aligns with your learning goals.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step.
Take notes and document your findings.

Practice Social Engineering Attacks

Show steps

Engage in practice drills to refine your social engineering skills.

Browse courses on Social Engineering Attacks

Show steps

Develop a scenario for a social engineering attack.
Role-play the attack with a partner.
Analyze the results and identify areas for improvement.

Practice vulnerability scanning with Nmap

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience with vulnerability scanning, a key skill for penetration testers, and become familiar with the Nmap tool.

Browse courses on Vulnerability Scanning

Show steps

Install Nmap on your system
Learn the basic commands and options of Nmap
Practice scanning different types of networks and systems
Analyze the scan results and identify potential vulnerabilities

Follow a video tutorial on exploiting web applications with SQL injection

Show steps

Enhances your understanding of web application vulnerabilities and provides practical experience in exploiting them.

Show steps

Find a video tutorial on SQL injection
Follow the steps demonstrated in the tutorial
Practice exploiting a vulnerable web application using SQL injection

Solve CTF (Capture the Flag) challenges related to penetration testing

Show steps

Enhances your problem-solving abilities in penetration testing by simulating real-world scenarios where you need to identify and exploit vulnerabilities.

Show steps

Find a CTF platform or website
Choose a challenge related to penetration testing
Analyze the challenge, identify the vulnerability, and exploit it
Capture the flag and submit your solution

Create a Post-Exploitation Plan

Show steps

Develop a comprehensive post-exploitation plan to enhance your practical skills.

Show steps

Identify potential post-exploitation scenarios.
Research and gather tools for post-exploitation.
Create a step-by-step plan for post-exploitation actions.

Contribute to Open Source Security Projects

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the community by volunteering for open source security projects.

Show steps

Identify open source security projects that align with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources to the project.

Create a presentation on the ethical implications of penetration testing

Show steps

Develops your critical thinking skills and encourages reflection on the ethical considerations involved in penetration testing.

Browse courses on Ethical Implications

Show steps

Research the ethical implications of penetration testing
Identify the key ethical dilemmas and challenges
Create a presentation that outlines these ethical considerations
Deliver the presentation to your peers or a larger audience

Career center

Learners who complete Attacks and Exploits: Specialized Attacks and Post Exploitation for CompTIA Pentest+ will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Security Analyst

The Information Security Analyst is responsible for identifying and resolving vulnerabilities in an organization's computer systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in various technologies, including mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. You will also learn how to conduct physical and social engineering attacks. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Information Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Engineer

The Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems for organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design, implement, and maintain security systems for various technologies, including mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. You will also learn how to conduct security assessments and audits. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Security Consultant

The Security Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their security posture. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to assess an organization's security posture and identify areas for improvement. You will also learn how to develop and implement security plans and policies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Security Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Penetration Tester

The Penetration Tester simulates attacks on an organization's computer systems to identify vulnerabilities. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct penetration tests on various technologies, including mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. You will also learn how to write penetration test reports. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Penetration Tester.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Forensic Analyst

The Forensic Analyst investigates computer crimes and cyberattacks. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to investigate computer crimes and cyberattacks. You will also learn how to collect and analyze digital evidence. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Forensic Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Analyst

Malware Analyst

The Malware Analyst investigates and analyzes malware. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to investigate and analyze malware. You will also learn how to develop and implement malware detection and prevention strategies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Malware Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Incident Responder

The Incident Responder responds to and investigates security incidents. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to respond to and investigate security incidents. You will also learn how to develop and implement incident response plans and procedures. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Incident Responder.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Risk Analyst

The Risk Analyst assesses the risks to an organization's computer systems and networks. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to assess the risks to an organization's computer systems and networks. You will also learn how to develop and implement risk management plans. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Risk Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Security Architect

The Security Architect designs and implements security solutions for organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design and implement security solutions for various technologies, including mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. You will also learn how to develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Security Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for the overall security of an organization's information systems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be responsible for the overall security of an organization's information systems. You will also learn how to develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Ethical Hacker

The Ethical Hacker simulates attacks on an organization's computer systems to identify vulnerabilities. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to simulate attacks on various technologies, including mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. You will also learn how to write penetration test reports. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Ethical Hacker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethical Hacker

Security Manager

The Security Manager oversees the security of an organization's computer systems and networks. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to oversee the security of an organization's computer systems and networks. You will also learn how to develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Security Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Manager

Information Security Auditor

The Information Security Auditor audits an organization's security systems and practices. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to audit an organization's security systems and practices. You will also learn how to write audit reports. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Information Security Auditor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Auditor

Cybersecurity Engineer

The Cybersecurity Engineer designs, implements, and maintains cybersecurity systems for organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design, implement, and maintain cybersecurity systems for various technologies, including mobile devices, the Internet of Things, industrial control systems, and virtualization and containerization technologies. You will also learn how to conduct cybersecurity assessments and audits. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Cybersecurity Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

The Cloud Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems for cloud-based applications and infrastructure. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design, implement, and maintain security systems for cloud-based applications and infrastructure. You will also learn how to conduct cloud security assessments and audits. This course will help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Cloud Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer