zoom_in Click to enlarge

Nmap

▲ ▼

description Nmap Overview

Nmap is an open-source tool for network discovery and security auditing. It probes network hosts to identify reachable systems, exposed ports, and the services responding on them. These results help administrators understand what a network presents to connected users and provide a starting point for investigating unexpected services or changes in exposure. Its Nmap Scripting Engine extends scanning with scripts for service auditing and selected vulnerability checks.

This makes Nmap useful for focused investigations and ad hoc security checks, but findings still need interpretation. It does not provide the full reporting, remediation workflow, and ongoing administration associated with a vulnerability management platform. The tool suits technical users who need direct control over scans and can assess the results within the context of an authorized network.

help Nmap FAQ

What is Nmap used for in a security assessment?

Nmap discovers hosts, open ports, running services, and sometimes operating-system details on a network. It is used for authorized inventory and auditing, not as a replacement for a full vulnerability-management platform.

What does the Nmap Scripting Engine add?

NSE lets users run scripts that extend service discovery and perform focused checks against network services. For example, an authorized scan can use service-version detection and selected NSE scripts to investigate a known host.

Which operating systems can run Nmap?

Nmap is available for Linux, Windows, macOS, and several Unix-like systems. It is free and open source, and its command-line design makes it common in both security work and network administration.

Who created Nmap?

Nmap was created by Gordon Lyon, who is also known by the handle Fyodor. The project first appeared publicly in 1997 and has since become a standard network-discovery tool.

swap_horiz

Looking for Nmap alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward