MANAGING NETWORK SECURITY USING A VULNERABILITY SCANNER
Vulnerability scanners are malware detection tools that monitor the behavior of a computer system and attempt to identify instances when the system appears compromised. As an IT manager or a professional responsible for managing network security, the vulnerability scanner will help you manage the risk levels of your networks. The tool identifies potential threats and takes action before they become huge problems. It scans the network and your user PCs and patches system vulnerabilities.
Types of Scanners
Many vulnerability software tools are available, so it's paramount to know the type you need for a particular situation.
Network-based
Network scanners look for weaknesses on a network level and report them as potential risks. Organizations with large networks that wish to keep track of potential vulnerabilities use them to address problems before they become significant issues.
Web Application
Web application scanners cover web applications and their back-end servers, looking for potential vulnerabilities that hackers or other malicious actors could exploit. This scanner runs from a web browser within the target network. They can also look at web applications' security policies, which may not be up-to-date or enforced properly by IT staff.
File System Scanners
These scanners look for evidence of weak permissions on files and directories on a computer's hard drive. Such weaknesses may allow attackers to steal sensitive information or gain control of the PC.
The Essential Solutions of a Vulnerability Scanner
How Does it work?
The first step in network security is the identification of vulnerabilities. The tool looks for vulnerabilities in your network and systems and reports them to you. They are usually free or low-cost tools with various operating systems and applications. The best tools offer other features, including web application security scanning and scanning for open ports. They can scan multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. They can detect the presence of malicious software, including viruses and Trojans.
Benefits of Scanning for Vulnerability
They help detect weaknesses in an organization's network security posture because they can quickly identify vulnerable systems and services. Here are some of the benefits of scanning:
Preventative Maintenance
You need to know about the threats so you can take appropriate steps to protect yourself from them. Scanning for vulnerability allows you to identify any potential issues with your network and take necessary steps to fix them before they become a problem.
It's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
There's no better way for an organization to ensure its systems are up-to-date than by conducting regular scans for vulnerabilities. This practice is a standard operating procedure for many businesses that helps avoid hacking. If a hacker finds a way into your system and manages to steal data or cause significant damage, it will likely result from a lack of maintenance.
It is also helpful in discovering other problems that may not be so obvious but affect the functionality and usability of your application.
Features and Functions of Best Scanners
You can easily find the best scanner through online research. Here are some things to consider when looking for one:
- Cost: A good scanner should be affordable so you can use it regularly.
- Ease of Use: It should also be easy for even novice users to understand and use.
- Results: The best scanners are easy to use and offer great results. They will give you detailed reports on the vulnerabilities discovered in your websites and applications.
The following are some of the features of the best vulnerability scanners:
- Scanning speed: Most good scanners can scan large numbers of computers. They can check at high speeds without compromising the security of your network.
- Comprehensive detection: Some scanners have excellent capabilities to detect several vulnerabilities within a few seconds. This feature is handy to quickly fix an issue as it avoids time wastage on complex analysis tasks like manual testing or code reviews.
- Vulnerability management: Many scanners let you manage vulnerabilities through built-in reporting tools or third-party software.
Functions
Some of the functions of a vulnerability scanner include the following:
- Scanning for vulnerabilities in the application by looking for missing or out-of-date security patches
- Enumerating installed software and reporting the vulnerabilities it has.
- Identifying possible exploits and backdoors in applications
- Providing a list of potentially dangerous components in an installed application
- Collecting information on all running processes, and discovering ones in use by other applications.
Conclusion
Keeping your network secure is paramount, and a vulnerability scanner can help you find security gaps in computer systems and networks. It employs various methods, including manual testing or automated tests, to detect security vulnerabilities on networks and procedures, and remediate these problems. The tool is also useful when an organization is planning to run an audit on its systems. It can help identify potential weaknesses in security procedures that hackers may exploit.
