In today’s digital world, cyberattacks are not a possibility but a certainty. From small family-run businesses to multinationals with thousands of employees, all actors operating online are exposed to vulnerabilities that, if not addressed promptly, can lead to data breaches, financial fraud, and irreparable damage to reputation.
The rise of e-commerce, accelerated digitalization, and remote work following the pandemic have exponentially expanded the attack surface. According to data from Check Point, in 2024 the number of global cyberattacks increased by 22% compared to the previous year, with an average of more than 1,200 attacks per organization per week.
In this landscape, a platform like Pentester is changing the game. It’s an automated and AI-assisted penetration testing service that promises something that until recently was only available to large corporations: detection of risks in minutes and reducing digital exposure before attackers do.
What is Pentester and how does it work?
Pentester is a cybersecurity technology platform that integrates vulnerability scanning tools, dark web monitoring, leaked data removal, and automated penetration tests.
Its value proposition is clear: any individual or company, without advanced technical knowledge, can get an immediate analysis of their digital footprint and receive clear instructions on how to mitigate risks.
Its operation follows a simple yet powerful cycle:
- Free initial scan: identifies basic vulnerabilities and leaked data examples in under 30 seconds.
- Customized dashboard for each profile: non-technical users get straightforward summaries; technical users receive detailed reports and remediation guides.
- Continuous monitoring: paid plans include ongoing surveillance, monthly reports, and real-time alerts.
- Guided mitigation: explains what to do and how to do it to close detected gaps.
Plans and pricing: from individuals to large corporations
Unlike traditional pentests, which require weeks of manual work and budgets ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 per project, Pentester offers a SaaS (software as a service) model with scalable prices:
- Personal (€19/month): designed for individual users. Includes dark web monitoring, automatic leaked data removal, and 9,000 security tests.
- Small Business (€49/month): targeted at SMEs. Adds 24/7 website monitoring, dedicated support, and up to 22,000 automated tests.
- Pentester Elite (€899/month): geared towards large corporations. Offers an annual manual pentest, monthly scans by human experts, 39,000 security tests, and sector-specific reports such as healthcare or finance.
This approach positions it as an affordable alternative to more technical platforms like Burp Suite, Nessus, or Qualys, which, although comprehensive, require specialists to interpret results.
Comparison with other pentesting platforms
The pentesting market is rapidly expanding and offers multiple options. Let’s see how Pentester compares to some well-known players:
| Platform | Main Focus | Ease of Use | Approximate Price | Unique Selling Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentester | Automated pentesting + AI | Low | $19-$899/month | Accessible to non-technical profiles, Dark Web monitoring |
| Burp Suite | Manual web security testing | High | $399/year (Pro) | Advanced tool for web security experts |
| Nessus | Vulnerability scanning | Medium | $3,000/year | Extensive CVE database, regularly updated |
| Qualys | Comprehensive vulnerability management | Medium-High | On-demand pricing | Scalability for large enterprises |
| Detectify | Automated web pentesting | Low | $90-$2,000/month | High coverage in SaaS applications |
| HackerOne | Bug bounty (ethical hacking) | High | Per program | Crowdsourcing real security experts |
Pentester occupies a noteworthy space in the market: its automation and ease of use, combined with broad testing coverage, make it particularly attractive for SMEs and organizations without dedicated security teams.
Use cases: examples of attacks that could have been prevented
To appreciate the importance of such platforms, consider some recent incidents:
- Credential leaks at hospitals (2023): Several European hospitals experienced unauthorized access due to staff using credentials leaked on the dark web. A tool like Pentester, by monitoring credential leaks, would have detected the exposure and prompted password changes before any attack occurred.
- Ransomware attacks on Spanish SMEs (2024): cybercriminals exploited exposed servers with known vulnerabilities (CVE) that hadn’t been patched for months. An automated scan would have identified these gaps and suggested fixes.
- Corporate phishing targeting Latin American banks: hijacked abandoned subdomains (DNS dangling) redirected clients to fake websites. Pentester would have flagged this digital asset exposure in its analysis.
- Data leaks in US law firms: a legal firm exposed sensitive contracts on a misconfigured server. Continuous monitoring platforms would have alerted the issue before data was leaked.
Ethics and privacy: is it safe to allow scanning?
A common concern is whether it’s safe to let an external platform scan your infrastructure.
With Pentester, scans are limited to public information and non-invasive tests. Additionally, there’s an option to exclude a domain via a DNS TXT record with a specific value:
Pentester:NoNeedToTestMe
This allows any organization to prevent being included in analyses, balancing usefulness and privacy.
Customer feedback: peace of mind
Beyond technology, clients highlight the peace of mind. A doctor states that their clinic now has a tool everyone understands. An accountant says, “Pentester has given us peace of mind regarding our data security.”
The key is that the reports go beyond detection, including clear explanations of each vulnerability and how to fix them. This reduces reliance on external consultants and cuts costs.
Reflection: democratizing penetration testing in the AI era
Penetration testing is no longer exclusive to large companies with big budgets. Tools like Pentester make it possible for any user to find out what risks their digital footprint faces and how to mitigate them.
As attacks grow in frequency and sophistication, and as AI also enhances offensive capabilities, it’s crucial that defenses are supported by automated and intelligent systems.
Pentester is part of a new wave of solutions aiming to democratize cybersecurity and make it understandable, affordable, and actionable for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Pentester replace a traditional manual pentest?
No. Pentester automates much of the testing and covers 80% of common risks, but in critical environments such as banking or defense, a deep manual pentest remains necessary. The Elite plan includes both approaches.
What makes Pentester different from antivirus or firewall?
Antivirus protects endpoints, and firewalls filter unwanted traffic, but Pentester analyzes overall digital exposure: credentials leaked on dark web, misconfigured cloud settings, web vulnerabilities, and more.
Can a small business without an IT department use Pentester?
Yes. It’s designed to be accessible to non-technical profiles. The simplified dashboard highlights priority risks and clear steps to resolve them, making security less of an incomprehensible barrier.
What if my data appears on the dark web?
Pentester will immediately notify which records were found (e.g., emails or old passwords) and recommend actions such as password changes, 2FA activation, or account deletion.
Is this kind of scan legal?
Yes, as long as it limits itself to public information and non-invasive tests. Plus, Pentester makes it easy to exclude domains for companies that prefer not to be scanned.
How does Pentester help with GDPR or HIPAA compliance?
By detecting leaks and vulnerabilities before they become incidents. This allows companies to demonstrate proactive security measures, essential for audits and regulatory compliance.