You can use identified critical security holes to do the following:    Gain further information about the host and its data.  Start or stop certain services or applications.  Access other Full Article

After finding potential security holes, test whether they are vulnerabilities. Before you test, perform some manual searching. You can research hacker message boards, Web sites, and vulnerability Full Article

Active information gathering produces more details about your network and helps you see your systems from a hacker’s perspective. For instance, you can    Use the information provided by your Full Article

The required security-assessment tools (hacking tools) depend on the tests you’re running. You can perform some ethical hacking tests with a pair of sneakers, a telephone, and a basic workstation Full Article

You probably don’t want — or need — to assess the security of all your systems at the same time. This could be quite an undertaking and could lead to problems.   You may decide which systems Full Article

Hacking styles vary widely:  Some hackers prepare far in advance of a large attack. They gather small bits of information and methodically carry out their hacks. These hackers are more difficult Full Article