This phase will increase the odds of success in later phases of the penetration test. It is also the very first step
in Information Gathering, and it will tell you what the “landscape” looks like.
What is the most important phase of ethical hacking in which you need to spend a considerable amount of
time?

A.
footprinting

B.
network mapping

C.
gaining access

D.
escalating privileges

Explanation:
Footprinting is a first step that a penetration tester used to evaluate the security of any IT infrastructure,
footprinting means to gather the maximum information about the computer system or a network and about the
devices that are attached to this network.
http://www.ehacking.net/2011/02/footprinting-first-step-of-ethical.html