Can I perform a penetration test over a wireless network?

Performing a network penetration test using the Agent over a wireless network environment is indeed possible. However, it is important to consider several factors that may impact the testing process. Below are some insights into the potential challenges you may encounter when conducting a penetration test over a wireless network, as well as some recommendations to mitigate these issues.

Network bandwidth

When conducting a penetration test over a wireless network, one of the primary concerns is network bandwidth. Wireless networks generally have lower throughput compared to wired networks, which can impact the speed and efficiency of the penetration testing process. This limitation may affect tasks that require transferring large amounts of data, such as conducting vulnerability scans or launching brute-force attacks. Ensure that your wireless network has adequate bandwidth to accommodate the penetration test without causing significant degradation in performance. Consider the number of devices connected to the network, their respective activities, and any concurrent high-bandwidth applications or services.

Intermittent connectivity issues

Wireless networks are susceptible to intermittent connectivity issues, such as signal interference or weak signal strength, which can lead to temporary network disruptions. These interruptions may result in assessments being halted due to the Agent going offline for an extended period of time. To minimize the impact of these connectivity issues, it is recommended to ensure that the system/server hosting the VM is close to the wireless access point.

Power management settings

Wireless adapters often employ power management settings to conserve energy, which can result in the adapter entering sleep mode or reducing its power output when idle. This behavior may cause connectivity disruptions during testing, especially if there are extended periods of inactivity. To prevent the wireless adapter from going to sleep, ensure that the power management settings are appropriately configured or disabled temporarily during the testing process. This is primarily a concern if the VM resides on a user's workstation.