You set a course and search for trouble.
If you want to get your rear end kicked I'd suggest seeking out some of those "signals" in space. I tried to take on a Lakon in my single laser Sidewinder today. Didn't go so well. He got my hopes up as I managed to get his shields down and his hull to about 90% before he started firing, at which point I was pretty much toast. But it was glorious while it lasted.