Enumeration is a process of systematically probing a target for information in cyber security and ethical hacking. It is a key component of ethical hacking and penetration testing, as it can provide attackers with a wealth of information that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities. Enumeration is the process of extracting a system’s valid usernames, machine names, share names, directory names, and other information. It can be used to gather information such as operating system details, network infrastructure details, and usernames of valid users. Enumeration is one of the most important steps in ethical hacking because it gives hackers the necessary information to launch an attack. Enumeration can be used to find security vulnerabilities within systems and networks. By conducting an enumeration scan, you can see what ports are open on devices. Enumeration is also called the Information Gathering Phase, which is the first phase where hackers try to gather information and try to establish an active connection with the devices or systems. Enumeration can be used in both an offensive and defensive manner. Enumeration is crucial in the reconnaissance phase of ethical hacking that allows a penetration tester to expose potential security flaws in an application.