Zen Map (Nmap)
* Purpose: Network scanner designed for host discovery, port scanning, and service detection.
* Focus: Gathering information about network infrastructure, including live hosts, open ports, and running services.
* Method: Uses network packets to probe targets and analyze responses.
* Features:
* Host discovery: Identifying active devices on a network.
* Port scanning: Determining which ports are open on target hosts.
* Service detection: Identifying running services on open ports.
* Operating system detection: Attempting to identify the operating systems of target hosts.
* Version detection: Identifying the versions of running services.
* Vulnerability scanning: Limited, mainly through service detection and banner grabbing.
Nessus
* Purpose: Vulnerability scanner designed to identify and assess security vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
* Focus: Identifying potential weaknesses and security risks in systems and applications.
* Method: Utilizes a database of known vulnerabilities to perform scans and identify matches.
* Features:
* Extensive vulnerability database: Contains information on thousands of vulnerabilities.
* Vulnerability scanning: Detects known vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
* Remediation guidance: Provides recommendations for fixing identified vulnerabilities.
* Reporting and compliance: Generates detailed reports and assists with security compliance.
* Network scanning: Limited, mainly used for vulnerability identification on discovered hosts.
In Summary:
* Zen Map (Nmap) is a network scanner used for reconnaissance and gathering information about a network.
* Nessus is a vulnerability scanner used to identify security risks and weaknesses in systems and applications.
Think of it this way:
* Nmap is like a scout who maps out the terrain and identifies potential targets.
* Nessus is like a security team that investigates those targets for vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Both tools are valuable in their own right, and they can be used together to provide a comprehensive security assessment. Nmap can be used to identify targets for Nessus to scan, and Nessus can be used to identify vulnerabilities that Nmap may not have detected.