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CompTIA Pentest+ Course (PT0-003)

Master the Essentials With Our Online Pentest+ Course That Builds Real-World Penetration Testing Ski

Course Level: Intermediate, Experienced
Duration: 29 Hrs 43 Min
Total Videos: 93 On-demand Videos

Master the art of cybersecurity with our comprehensive CompTIA Pentest+ Course (PTO-003), specifically designed for aspiring penetration testers and ethical hackers. It's a stepping stone towards a successful career in the cybersecurity field, offering in-depth training, hands-on experience, and thorough preparation for the globally recognized CompTIA Pentest+ certification exam.

Purchase Options

You can purchase this course individually on Udemy, or unlock every course we offer with the exclusive 365 Training Pass—one low price, unlimited access for a full year.

Learning Objectives

01

Understand and apply engagement management techniques including pre-engagement activities, collaboration, and testing methodologies.

02

Gain proficiency in reconnaissance and enumeration by using passive and active techniques, and tools like Recon ng and Shodan.

03

Identify and analyze vulnerabilities using methods such as vulnerability scanning, static code analysis, and physical security techniques.

04

Learn to prioritize, prepare, and execute network, authentication, host-based, web application, cloud-based, wireless, and social engineering attacks.

05

Develop skills in exploiting vulnerabilities using tools like Metasploit, Netcat, and various password cracking methods.

06

Master post-exploitation strategies including establishing persistence, lateral movement, staging, exfiltration, and cleanup.

07

Learn to effectively report penetration test findings and make actionable recommendations for security improvements.

08

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to conduct a full penetration test, from reconnaissance to deliverables, in a real-world scenario.

Course Description

This course is ideal for security engineers, ethical hackers, and IT professionals who want to master practical penetration testing and advance toward the CompTIA Pentest+ certification. By the end, you’ll have a concrete, deployable capability to conduct thorough vulnerability assessments and execute strategic testing with confidence, helping you achieve PT0-003 exam readiness and real-world impact.

In this online pentest+ program, you’ll blend fundamentals with hands-on practice so you don’t just study theory—you gain demonstrable capabilities in penetration testing, security testing, and risk assessment. You’ll follow a structured path through Engagement Management, Reconnaissance and Enumeration, Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis, Attacks and Exploits, Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement, and Deliverables and Reporting. Each module is crafted to build confidence for both the exam and professional engagements, delivering accuracy and relevance you can count on for PT0-003 training.

What you’ll gain includes practical lab experience, scenario-based exercises, and a clear framework for documenting findings. The course emphasizes hands-on pentest labs online and real-world deliverables, so you can demonstrate value to stakeholders, managers, and clients. Alongside technical proficiency, you’ll develop the communication skills required to present risk, recommend remediation, and produce professional reports that align with industry standards.

Key topics and skills covered include: structured engagement planning and management for penetration tests; reconnaissance, enumeration, and targeted information gathering; vulnerability discovery, analysis, and risk prioritization; exploits, payloads, and remediation guidance; post-exploitation techniques and safe lateral movement concepts; and deliverables, reporting formats, and proof-of-concept documentation.

  • Structured engagement planning and management for penetration tests that align with real-world projects
  • Reconnaissance, enumeration, and targeted information gathering for accurate scope
  • Vulnerability discovery, analysis, and risk prioritization to drive remediation decisions
  • Exploits, payloads, and remediation guidance to demonstrate impact safely
  • Post-exploitation techniques and safe lateral movement concepts for realistic scenarios
  • Deliverables, reporting formats, and proof-of-concept documentation you can present to stakeholders

By enrolling, you’ll experience self-paced online learning you can fit into your schedule, instructor-led insights, and real-world lab scenarios. The course offers a structured path toward pentest+ certification exam prep with emphasis on exam objectives, plus hands-on pentest labs online to reinforce concepts. Skills apply to roles in penetration testing, ethical hacking, and security assessments.

Why this matters in real roles: organizations rely on thorough assessments to uncover weaknesses before attackers do. This course equips you to plan engagements, perform methodical testing, interpret findings, and deliver actionable reports that drive remediation. The blend of labs and theory mirrors the challenges you’ll face on the job, accelerating readiness for certification and professional work in cybersecurity.

Ready to advance your cybersecurity career? Enroll in the CompTIA Pentest+ Course (PT0-003) today and gain a comprehensive foundation that supports online pentest+ journey, robust exam prep, and practical, job-ready capabilities. If you’re seeking a reliable, flexible path to mastering penetration testing and achieving PT0-003 certification, this course is your proven starting point.

Who Benefits From This Course

  • IT professionals specializing in cybersecurity
  • Network administrators seeking to enhance their security knowledge
  • Software developers interested in understanding penetration testing
  • System administrators aiming to strengthen their organizations' security systems
  • Graduates pursuing a career in cybersecurity
  • Security consultants seeking a formal certification
  • Professionals responsible for vulnerability management in their organization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of engagement management in penetration testing?

Engagement management is a critical aspect of penetration testing that involves planning, scoping, and managing the overall testing process. It ensures that both the client and the penetration testing team have a clear understanding of the objectives, scope, and limitations of the assessment.

This process includes establishing communication protocols, timelines, and deliverables, which helps to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards. Proper engagement management facilitates a structured approach to penetration testing, allowing for effective resource allocation and maximizing the value of the testing outcome.

How do reconnaissance and enumeration contribute to successful penetration testing?

Reconnaissance and enumeration are foundational stages in the penetration testing lifecycle. Reconnaissance involves gathering preliminary information about the target system, such as IP addresses, domain names, and network architecture, often through passive techniques.

Enumeration takes this a step further by actively probing the target to extract detailed information, such as user accounts, services, and vulnerabilities. Together, these stages provide a comprehensive understanding of the target, enabling penetration testers to identify potential attack vectors and tailor their strategies effectively for a more successful assessment.

What are the best practices for vulnerability discovery in penetration testing?

Vulnerability discovery is a key phase in penetration testing, requiring a systematic approach to identify security weaknesses in systems and applications. Best practices include utilizing a combination of automated tools and manual techniques to ensure thorough coverage.

Penetration testers should regularly update their knowledge of the latest vulnerabilities and exploits, using resources such as the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database. Additionally, maintaining a structured methodology, such as OWASP or NIST frameworks, helps in effectively categorizing and prioritizing vulnerabilities based on risk and impact.

What role does post-exploitation play in penetration testing methodologies?

Post-exploitation is a pivotal phase in penetration testing that involves analyzing the system after an initial breach. This stage focuses on maintaining access, escalating privileges, and exploring lateral movement within the network to understand the potential impact of a successful attack.

By simulating real-world attack scenarios, penetration testers can provide insights into how an attacker might exploit vulnerabilities to gain deeper access. The findings from post-exploitation help organizations strengthen their defenses, improving security posture and incident response capabilities.

How does hands-on experience enhance learning in cybersecurity training?

Hands-on experience is crucial in cybersecurity training, as it bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Engaging in practical labs allows learners to apply concepts in simulated environments, thus reinforcing their understanding of penetration testing techniques and tools.

Through hands-on training, individuals develop critical problem-solving skills and gain the confidence needed to tackle real cybersecurity challenges. This experiential learning approach is essential for aspiring penetration testers, as it equips them with the practical skills necessary to excel in a constantly evolving field.

Included In This Course

Module 1 - Engagement Management

  •    1.1 Pre Engagement Activities
  •    1.2 Collaboration and Communication Activities
  •    1.3 Testing Frameworks and Methodologies
  •    1.3.1 Examining MITRE ATT&CK
  •    1.4 Engagement Management Review

Module 2 - Reconnaissance and Enumeration

  •    2.1 Passive Reconnaissance
  •    2.1.1 Google Hacking
  •    2.2 Active Reconnaissance
  •    2.2.1 Port Scanning and Fingerprinting
  •    2.2.2 Tracing a Network Path with Traceroute
  •    2.2.3 Intercepting Data with Wireshark
  •    2.2.4 Web Scraping
  •    2.3 Enumeration Techniques
  •    2.3.1 Directory Enumeration
  •    2.3.2 Email Enumeration
  •    2.4 Reconnaissance and Enumeration Scripts
  •    2.4.1 Using Scripts
  •    2.5 Reconnaissance and Enumeration Tools
  •    2.5.1 Perform OSINT with Recon ng
  •    2.5.2 Adding an API Key to Recon ng
  •    2.5.3 Discovering IoT with Shodan
  •    2.5.4 Performing WHOIS Lookups
  •    2.5.5 Performing DNS Lookups
  •    2.5.6 Using NMAP Scripts
  •    2.5.7 Performing OSINT with theHarvester
  •    2.6 Reconnaissance and Enumeration Review

Module 3 - Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis

  •    3.1 Vulnerability Discovery
  •    3.1.1 Performing a Vulnerability Scan with OpenVAS
  •    3.1.2 Performing Static Code Analysis
  •    3.2 Reconnaissance, Scanning and Enumeration Output Analysis
  •    3.3 Physical Security
  •    3.3.1 Cloning an RFID Badge
  •    3.3.2 Cloning NFC with Flipper Zero
  •    3.4 Vulnerability Discover and Analysis Review

Module 4 - Attacks and Exploits

  •    4.1 Prioritize and Prepare Attacks
  •    4.2 Network Attacks
  •    4.2.1 Performing an On Path Attack
  •    4.2.2 Executing a Network Attack with Metasploit
  •    4.2.3 Migrating Meterpreter to Another Process
  •    4.2.4 Creating a Malware Dropper with Msfvenom
  •    4.2.5 Using Netcat
  •    4.2.6 Capturing Files with Wireshark
  •    4.3 Authentication Attacks
  •    4.3.1 Brute Forcing with Medusa
  •    4.3.2 Pass the Hash
  •    4.3.3 Password Spraying with Hydra
  •    4.3.4 Pass the Token Attack
  •    4.3.5 Spoofing Authentication with Responder
  •    4.3.6 Cracking Linux Passwords with John the Ripper
  •    4.3.7 Hashcat Password Cracking
  •    4.4 Host Based Attacks
  •    4.4.1 Privilege Escalation with Eternal Blue
  •    4.4.2 Log Tampering
  •    4.4.3 Pwn a Linux Target from Start to Finish
  •    4.5 Web Application Attacks
  •    4.5.1 Performing Directory Traversal
  •    4.5.2 Grabbing Passwords with SQL Injection
  •    4.5.3 SQLi on a Live Website Part 1
  •    4.5.4 SQLi on a Live Website Part 2
  •    4.5.5 Command Injection
  •    4.5.6 Injecting an iFrame with Stored XSS
  •    4.5.7 Busting the DOM
  •    4.5.8 IDOR Abuse with Burp Suite
  •    4.5.9 Web Session Hijacking
  •    4.5.10 Parameter Tampering with Burp Suite
  •    4.6 Cloud Based Attacks
  •    4.6.1 Hacking S3 Buckets
  •    4.7 Wireless Attacks
  •    4.7.1 WiFi Pumpkin Evil Twin
  •    4.7.2 WPA2 Crack Attack
  •    4.8 Social Engineering Attacks
  •    4.8.1 Phishing for Credentials
  •    4.8.2 OMG Cable Baiting
  •    4.9 Specialized System Attacks
  •    4.9.1 Pwn a Mobile Device
  •    4.10 Automated Script Attacks
  •    4.11 Attacks and Exploits Review

Module 5 - Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement

  •    5.1 Establishing and Maintaining Persistence
  •    5.1.1 Creating a Persistent Netcat Back Door
  •    5.1.2 Exfiltrating Data with a Scheduled Task
  •    5.2 Lateral Movement
  •    5.2.1 Preparing to Pivot
  •    5.2.2 Lateral Movement through Pivoting
  •    5.3 Staging and Exfiltration
  •    5.3.1 Hiding Data with Steganography
  •    5.3.2 Automatically Exfiltrating Data
  •    5.4 Cleanup and Restoration
  •    5.5 Post-Exploitation and Lateral Movement Review

Module 6 - Deliverables

  •    6.1 Penetration Test Report Components
  •    6.2 Report Findings and Recommendations
  •    6.2.1 Examining Pentest Reports
  •    6.3 Deliverables Review
  •    6.4 Course Conclusion
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