Using Linux security auditing tools and vulnerability scanners can cost businesses a fortune. However, with the help of free vulnerability scanner Linux tools, you can protect your system from any form of malicious exploitation.
Many businesses worldwide prefer using the Linux server as their operating system. Some of the most popular business platforms that use Linux include Facebook, Google, and Twitter. It is also the choice desktop operating system for many penetration testers and information security analysts because it is easy to configure, reliable, and secure.
Even with the security and reliability of the Linux OS, it does not prevent hackers and cybercriminals from finding different ways to exploit the system for their greedy needs. The free vulnerability scanner Linux tools may not have the same features as the paid-for scanning tools and might limit the number of hosts to scan. However, they are good enough for checking specific free vulnerability scanner Linux issues providing you with opportunities to fix the issues before they get out of hand.
How Free Vulnerability Scanner Linux Software Works
Free vulnerability scanner Linux software mainly relies on a known vulnerability database with its automated tests. It has limited abilities that address a set of hosts or a single host running on a single operating system. On the other hand, comprehensive scanners probe a wider range of hosts and devices on more than just one network. They can identify the type of operating system and device type for all the vulnerabilities with more or less intrusiveness.
Vulnerability scanning can be either authenticated or unauthenticated. An authenticated scan is purely network-based because the tester logs in as a user. The move reveals the vulnerabilities accessible to any intruder gaining access to the operating system by masquerading as a trusted user.
In an unauthenticated scan, the tester logs into the system as an intruder and goes ahead to carry out the scanning process. One thing to note is that the intruder does not have any trusted access to the network. However, even without the authorized access, the intruder still gets through to scan the system, revealing the vulnerabilities a total stranger can access without logging in.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Free Vulnerability Scanner Linux
There are many features to consider when choosing the best vulnerability scanners. The online market for vulnerability scanning tools offers a wide range of choices, which is why it is essential to take your time and ask for expert help before choosing the one that best suits your operating system. The fundamental factors in evaluating or considering when selecting either a comprehensive or free vulnerability scanner Linux or any other operating system software are as follows.
- Check if the free vulnerability scanner Linux is scalable and reliable
- Ensure that the scanner can set up automated alerts and scheduled alerts
- Ensure that the free vulnerability scanner Linux software provides easy-to-understand scan results. If you cannot sort and filter the scan results easily and fast enough, you should think of going for a more comprehensive scanner. A comprehensive scanner should provide you with enough guidance on what you should prioritize and provide you with the ability to visualize trends over a certain period.
- If you are using the Linux operating system and choose to go for the free vulnerability scanner Linux software, ensure that it is compatible with your organization's needs. It should also have the ability to scan all databases, mobile devices, and environments for the virtual machine's hosts and web servers.
- The free vulnerability scanner Linux should provide you with accurate results at all times. Swamping you with low-level results leads to either false positives or false negatives. Check if the vulnerability scanner allows you to define your own policies or provide you with canned policies compliance regimes.
- Ensure that the free vulnerability scanner Linux comes with clear instructions that help with fast remediation.
- Ensure that the quality and provided range for canned reports is good
- Evaluate if the scanners tests are unnecessarily intrusive and if they affect devices and hosts leading to poor performance and potential crashing of devices with poor configuration
- If you do not have an effective IT department, ensure that you choose a professional website security and vulnerabilities assessment vendor with enough expertise to know all the hackers' entry points into a system.
Free Vulnerability Scanner Linux: Wrapping it up
Whether you are using Linux or any other operating system, scanning for vulnerabilities is essential. Irrespective of how safe you think your system is, hackers have a way of getting through into the system by finding even the slightest vulnerabilities. Suppose you are setting up a new business and cannot upgrade to the more comprehensive scanners. In that case, you can start with the free vulnerability scanner Linux software that you can get from your service provider or from the internet.
