Penetration testing involves evaluating systems or networks using malicious techniques to identify security vulnerabilities. It is done by exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Common vulnerabilities arise from design errors, poor configuration, and human error. Penetration testing is conducted to secure government data transfers, protect brands, and find vulnerabilities in applications, operating systems, databases, and network equipment. Metasploit is an open-source framework used for hacking applications and operating systems that contains exploits, payloads, and modules. Msfconsole is an interface used to launch attacks and create listeners in Metasploit.