NESSUS: a security vulnerability scanning tool

 WHAT IS NESSUS?

Nessus is a vulnerability assessment tool used to scan networks and devices for security weaknesses, identifying potential vulnerabilities like missing patches, misconfigurations, outdated software, and weak passwords, allowing organizations to proactively address security risks and mitigate potential attacks before they occur; essentially, it helps identify and remediate security flaws across an entire IT infrastructure

Originally launched as an open source tool in 1998, its enterprise edition became a commercial product in 2005.

KEY USES OF NESSUS:

1. VULNERABILITY SCANNING:

The primary function of Nessus is to scan systems for known vulnerabilities by running tests against them, providing detailed reports on discovered issues. 

2. ASSET DISCOVERY:

Nessus can identify all connected devices on a network, providing visibility into the entire attack surface. 

3. COMPLIANCE CHECK:

It can be configured to scan against industry standards and compliance requirements, ensuring systems meet necessary security levels. 

4. WEB APPLICATION SCANNING:

It can be used to identify vulnerabilities in web applications, including potential injection points and cross-site scripting issues.

TYPES OF NESSUS SCANNING: 

1. NETWORK SCANS: 

 It identifies vulnerabilities in network devices, servers and infrastructure. Example: scanning a range of IP addresses to identify open ports, services and potential vulnerabilities on networked devices.

2. CREDENTIAL SCANS:

It uses provided credentials to perform authenticated scans for a more in-depth assessment. Example: logging into a server using valid credentials to assess the system from an internal perspective, identifying vulnerabilities that may not be visible externally.

3. MOBILE DEVICE SCANS:

The purpose of this kind of scan is to assess the safety status of mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. It looks for setup errors and security holes that hackers aiming for mobile platforms might exploit.

4. PATCH MANAGEMENT SCANS:

 Nessus searches for vulnerable software fixes and out-of-date versions that could be used by hackers. It assists companies in making sure that their systems have the most recent security fixes installed.

CONCLUSION:

Nessus is a crucial tool in security testing also it prevents time, cost efficiency, evolving threats etc.  Its customization, compliance assurance and integration capabilities contribute to a more secure and resilient IT Environment, ultimately safeguarding organizations the against potential cyber threats.