Which of the following does a penetration test NOT involve?

A penetration test is designed to evaluate the security of a system by simulating an attack from malicious outsiders as well as insiders. The primary goals include identifying vulnerabilities, testing security defenses, and mimicking real-life user behaviors to understand how an attacker might exploit weaknesses.

Accessing confidential user data without permission does not fit within the scope of a penetration test. In a well-conducted penetration test, ethical guidelines are adhered to, ensuring that any access to data is done with prior authorization as part of assessing vulnerabilities. Such an action would not only violate ethical standards but also legal boundaries, which are critical in the context of cybersecurity practices. The focus of a penetration test is to help organizations understand and strengthen their security posture, not to exploit their weaknesses.