In earlier modules, we have outlined how attackers can legitimately collect essential information from a target. However, the legality of enumeration activities can vary depending on an organization’s internal policies and applicable legal regulations. An ethical hacker or penetration tester must secure the necessary authorization before engaging in enumeration to ensure they conduct these activities within legal and ethical boundaries.

What is Enumeration?

Enumeration refers to the method of gathering user accounts, system names, network resources, and services from a network or individual system. During this process, an attacker forges active connections to the system and submits specific queries to collect more information about the target. The attacker then utilizes the data gathered through enumeration to identify security weaknesses within the system, which can be exploited. Ultimately, enumeration enables attackers to attack passwords and gain unauthorized access to the system’s resources. This technique is applicable and effective within the confines of an intranet.