My Journey into Penetration Testing from Basic to Real

Recently, my life has changed: I started studying pentesting, and my main goal has become the ability to both attack and defend computer systems and applications. From taking the OWASP Top 10 course from Sviatoslav Loginov to completing real-world tasks during the three-month training program, this journey has been rich and instructive.

Laying the Foundation of Basic Knowledge

OWASP Top 10 Course

The first phase of my training began with the OWASP Top 10 course by Svyatoslav Loginov. This course allowed me to get acquainted with the primary threats facing modern web applications and learn how to identify and prevent common vulnerabilities. The knowledge gained here is critical—because even a minor flaw can be an open door for attackers.

Hands-on Labs at PortSwag

After completing the course, I shifted to practical work with laboratory exercises at PortSwag. This is where I began applying the theoretical knowledge in practice—from setting up the environment to testing for vulnerabilities. This was a fantastic start that helped me understand what the daily work of a penetration tester looks like in reality.

Deep Dive into Web Technologies

HTML Basics: Syntax and Essential Tags

Although HTML may seem simple at first glance, mastering its basics is essential to understanding how web pages are built. My initial tasks included:

• HTML Syntax: Learning the document structure, its overall composition, and the rules for closing tags.

• Key Tags and Elements: Familiarizing myself with tags that define headers, paragraphs, lists, and many other elements used to create pages.

• HTML Forms and iframes: Understanding the elements that allow data input and embedding external content using iframes.

• HTML Attributes and Events: Learning how to work with attributes to configure the appearance and behavior of elements, as well as how to handle events for creating a dynamic user experience.

JavaScript Basics: Running Scripts and DOM Manipulation

For a penetration tester, it’s crucial to understand client-side logic since many vulnerabilities occur at this level. In this section, I learned:

• Running JavaScript: Methods for inserting scripts into HTML pages—using the <script> tag or event handlers.

• DOM Manipulation: Gaining knowledge on how to access HTML elements, modify their attributes and texts, and work with cookies. This not only enables dynamic page updates but also helps in identifying potential vulnerabilities caused by improper data handling.

SQL Basics: Syntax Essentials and Operations

Working with databases is equally important in security analysis. I mastered these key points:

• Basic SQL Syntax: Understanding how to construct queries, structure data, and interact with databases.

• SELECT and UNION Commands: Learning how to retrieve data from tables and merge results from different queries.

• WHERE Clauses and Logical Operators: Practical application of logical operators for filtering data, which is especially critical when handling confidential information.

• Comments in SQL: Learning the proper ways to add comments for improved readability and debugging of complex queries.

Understanding Fundamental Cryptography Concepts

Beyond web and programming logic, it’s important to grasp the key principles of data security:

• Encoding: A method of transforming data to ensure compatibility across different systems, often without a focus on security.

• Hashing: A one-way function that converts data into a unique string of fixed length; used for verifying data integrity without storing the original information.

• Encryption: A reversible process that transforms data into a secure format, allowing recovery only with the correct key. Understanding encryption helps analyze how data can be either secured or compromised.

In-Depth Reading and Analysis: The OWASP Testing Guide

To systematically approach security testing, I turned to the OWASP Testing Guide. This guide helps to:

• Build a systematic approach to analyzing application security.

• Identify weak points in application architecture and locate potential vulnerabilities.

• Understand how to implement countermeasures to prevent attacks.

Practical Experience: Three Months of Real-World Training

The next, but very important stage of my journey was the start of a three-month training program involving real-life tasks. This practical phase allowed me to:

• Develop Critical Thinking: Every task is different, and each new challenge demands deep analysis and creative solutions.

• Apply Acquired Knowledge: Practical exercises in HTML, JavaScript, SQL, and techniques from the OWASP Testing Guide helped me build a robust skill set for vulnerability analysis.

• Face Unexpected Challenges: Working with real applications often reveals new aspects of cybersecurity that are not always covered in standard training courses.

From QA to Penetration Testing: How Security Knowledge Transformed My Testing Approach

As a QA specialist, I always aimed to ensure high product quality. However, traditional testing approaches focus mainly on functionality, usability, and performance. I soon realized that many security vulnerabilities might go unnoticed unless specifically sought after.

Why I Needed the OWASP Top 10 Course

For example, standard functional tests often miss:

• Injection Attacks (SQL, NoSQL, Command Injection): These can provide attackers access to databases or force the system to execute unwanted commands.

• Cross-site Scripting (XSS): Validation issues can allow malicious scripts to be embedded and executed in users’ browsers.

• Broken Authentication and Session Management: Flaws in authentication mechanisms may lead to account compromises.

I frequently encountered these threats falling outside standard test scenarios. This realization pushed me to acquire additional knowledge, making the OWASP Top 10 course a logical step.

How the Course Expanded My Testing Horizons

• Deepened Understanding of Threats: I began analyzing applications not just from a functionality perspective, but also considering potential vulnerabilities.

• Integrating Security into QA: I now develop specialized test cases that simulate attack scenarios using various methods described in OWASP Top 10.

• Improved Communication with Developers: My enhanced understanding of threats enables me to discuss security issues more effectively with the development team and propose concrete solutions.

• Real-World Application: Practical tasks from the course gave me the opportunity to try out penetration testing techniques, thereby boosting my confidence and expanding my professional toolkit.

Benefits for a QA Professional

The knowledge I’ve gained has allowed me to:

• Adopt a Comprehensive Testing Approach: I now understand that product quality is determined not only by functionality but also by its resilience against malicious actions.

• Increase Accountability: Understanding security threats helps me pay closer attention to detail during test planning.

• Expand Career Prospects: Bridging the gap between traditional QA and security opens new career avenues in cybersecurity and penetration testing.

Summary and Future Plans

My journey into penetration testing began as a natural evolution of my QA career, as I realized that product quality heavily depends on its protection against external threats. The OWASP Top 10 course enabled me to fill gaps in my conventional testing practices, and the hands-on experience has taken my professional growth to the next level.

What’s Next?

• Further Deepening of Knowledge: I plan to undertake specialized courses focusing on the exploitation of vulnerabilities in mobile applications, IoT, and other modern systems.

• Taking on More Complex Tasks: As my practical skills develop, I anticipate participating in larger projects requiring an integrated approach to testing.

• Developing My Own Penetration Testing Projects: Collaborative work and experience exchange within teams will open up new opportunities in cybersecurity.

• Continuous Learning: The ever-changing world of cybersecurity demands regular updates to my knowledge, along with participation in seminars and conferences.

Thus, my journey into penetration testing is a continuous process of improvement—each new step brings me closer to understanding both the threats and the methods to counter them. Transitioning from traditional QA to actively working on real challenges shapes me into a specialist capable of effectively securing modern applications, inspiring me to achieve even greater accomplishments in the field of cybersecurity.