Recon

Recon, also known as reconnaissance, is the process of gathering information about a target to help guide future operations. This practice is used in a variety of areas, including security, network analysis, and military intelligence. Recon is particularly important in cybersecurity, where attackers use it to gain an understanding of a system’s security controls and vulnerabilities before launching an attack.

Recon can be done in a variety of ways. It can involve gathering public information about a target or conducting network scans to reveal open ports, IP addresses, domain names, and other technical details. More advanced recon can include reverse engineering malware, scrutinizing traffic patterns, and identifying weaknesses in authentication.

Once recon is completed, the attacker can begin to launch attacks against the target, either manually or using automated tools to exploit vulnerabilities. Attackers often refine their attacks based on what they learn from recon, and use this information to determine the best course of action.

Recon is an important part of a successful attack, and requires an extensive knowledge of networks, systems, and security protocols. As such, it is usually done by highly skilled attackers, such as hackers, state actors, and cyber criminals. It is essential for defenders to understand the process of recon so they can identify attacks before they happen and take proactive steps to protect their systems.