In which phase of an attack does the attacker gather information about the target?

The reconnaissance phase is the initial step in an attack where the attacker collects information about the target. This might involve identifying IP addresses, domain names, organizational structures, and potential vulnerabilities. During this phase, attackers may utilize various tools and techniques such as network scanning, social engineering, and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) to gather as much relevant information as possible. The insights gained during reconnaissance are crucial, as they inform the attacker’s subsequent strategies and tactics for exploiting weaknesses in the system. This stage is vital for the success of the attack, as it sets the foundation for all the following actions.