Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is like playing a game of "I Spy." It's when you look around and gather information about something before you even get close to it. Imagine you're going to a party and you want to know what kind of food they'll be serving. You might ask your friends who are going to the party too or look at the host's social media page to see if they posted any pictures of food. This is reconnaissance!

When people talk about reconnaissance in internet security or warfare, it's the same idea. Before someone tries to hack into a computer system or carry out an attack, they will find out as much information as possible about what they're trying to attack. This could include finding weaknesses in the system or identifying important people in the organization they want to harm. Just like how you might look for signs to know where to find snacks at the party, the attacker looks for signs that can help them find a way in. It's important to do reconnaissance because it helps you have a better understanding of what you're going against and can help you plan your attack or defense more effectively.