Top 10 Paid and Free Vulnerability Testing Tools

Vulnerability Scanner Tools

Vulnerability scanner tools enable recognizing, categorizing, and characterizing the security holes, known as vulnerabilities, among computers, network infrastructure, software, and hardware systems. If vulnerabilities are detected as part of any vulnerability assessment, then this points out the need for vulnerability disclosure. Such disclosures are usually executed by individual teams like the organization which has discovered the vulnerability or Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT). These vulnerabilities become the key source for malicious activities like cracking websites, systems, LANs, etc.

What is a Website Vulnerability Scanner?

Vulnerability scanners automate security auditing and can play a vital part in your IT security by scanning your network and websites for different security risks. These vulnerability scanners are also capable of generating a prioritized list of those you should patch, and they also describe the vulnerabilities and provide steps on how to remediate them. It is also possible for some to even automate the patching process. Best Web Application Vulnerability Scanning Tools 1. Comodo cWatch Vulnerability Scanner Comodo's cWatch vulnerability scanner is considered to be a revolutionary vulnerability scanning and trust-building tool that enables overcoming the security concerns of your visitors. Following are a few key benefits you can obtain from cWatch Website Vulnerability Scanner:

• Reduce cart abandonment
• Daily vulnerability scanning
• PCI scanning tools included
• Drive-by attack prevention
• Build valuable trust with visitors
• Convert more visitors into buyers

• Besides the above-mentioned benefits, cWatch also provides the visual indicator needed by your customers to feel safe transacting with you. It helps decrease shopping cart abandonment, enhance conversion rates, and drive your overall revenue up. Finally, it includes patent-pending scanning technology,

SiteInspector

, which is capable of eliminating drive-by attacks, thus providing a new level of security for all those who proudly display the cWatch logo.

2. OpenVAS This is an open-source tool serving as a central service that provides vulnerability assessment tools for both vulnerability scanning and vulnerability management.

• OpenVAS supports different operating systems
• The scan engine of OpenVAS is constantly updated with the Network Vulnerability Tests
• OpenVAS scanner is a complete vulnerability assessment tool identifying issues related to security in the servers and other devices of the network
• OpenVAS services are free of cost and are usually licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL)

3. Nexpose Community Developed by Rapid7, the Nexpose Website vulnerability scanner is an open-source tool used for scanning vulnerabilities and carrying out a wide range of network checks.

• Nexpose can be incorporated into a Metaspoilt framework
• It takes into account the age of the vulnerability like which malware kit is employed in it, what advantages are used by it etc., and fixes the issue based on its priority
• It is capable of automatically detecting and scanning new devices and evaluating the vulnerabilities when they access the network
• It monitors the exposure of vulnerabilities in real-time, familiarizing itself with the latest hazards with new data
• Most vulnerability scanners usually categorize the risks by employing a medium or high or low scale

4. Nikto Nikto is a greatly admired and open-source web vulnerability scanner employed for assessing probable issues and vulnerabilities.

• It is also used for verifying whether the server versions are outdated, and also checks for any particular problem that affects the functioning of the server
• Nikto is used to perform a variety of tests on web servers to scan different items like a few hazardous files or programs
• It is not considered a quiet tool and is used to test a web server in the least possible time
• It is used for scanning different protocols like HTTPS, HTTPd, HTTP, etc. This tool allows the scanning of multiple ports of a specific server.

5. Tripwire IP360 Developed by Tripwire Inc, Tripwire IP360 is considered to be a leading vulnerability assessment tool that is employed by different agencies and enterprises to manage their security risks.

• It uses a wide-ranging view of networks to spot all the vulnerabilities, configurations, applications, network hosts, etc.
• It uses open standards to help in the integration of risk management and vulnerability into multiple processes of the business

6. Wireshark Wireshark is an extensively used network protocol analyzer considered to be the most powerful tool in the security practitioner's toolkit.

• Wireshark is used across different streams like government agencies, enterprises, educational institutions, etc.. to look into the networks at a microscopic level
• It captures the issues online and executes the analysis offline
• It runs on different platforms like Linux, macOS, Windows, Solaris, etc.

7. Aircrack Aircrack, also known as Aircrack-NG, is a set of tools employed for assessing WiFi network security.

• Aircrack tools are also used in network auditing
• It supports multiple OS like Linux, OS X, Solaris, NetBSD, Windows, etc.
• It focuses on different areas of WiFi Security like monitoring the packets and data, testing the drivers and cards, replaying attacks, cracking, etc.
• With Aircrack, it is possible to retrieve the lost keys by capturing the data packets

8. Nessus Professional Nessus tool is a branded and patented web vulnerability scanner created by Tenable Network Security.

• It prevents the networks from penetrations made by hackers by assessing the vulnerabilities at the earliest
• It can scan the vulnerabilities which permit remote hacking of sensitive data from a system
• It supports an extensive range of OS, Dbs, applications, and several other devices among cloud infrastructure, virtual and physical networks
• It has been installed and used by millions of users all over the world for vulnerability assessment, configuration issues, etc.

9. Retina CS Community Retina CS is an open-source and web-based console that has helped vulnerability management to be both simplified and centralized.

• With its feasible features like compliance reporting, patching and configuration compliance, Retina CS provides an assessment of cross-platform vulnerability
• Retina CS help save time, cost, and effort in managing the network security
• It is included with automated vulnerability assessment for DBs, web applications, workstations, and servers
• Being an open-source application, Retina CS presents complete support for virtual environments like vCenter integration, virtual app scanning, etc.

10. Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) MBSA is a free Microsoft tool ideal for securing a Windows computer based on the specifications or guidelines set by Microsoft.

• MBSA allows enhancing their security process by examining a group of computers for any misconfiguration, missing updates, any security patches, etc.
• It can only scan for security updates, service packs and update rollups putting aside the Critical and Optional updates
• It is used by medium-sized and small-sized organizations for managing the security of their networks
• After scanning a system, MBSA will present a few solutions or suggestions related to fixing the vulnerabilities