Tenable Network Security has announced the release of Nessus 4 a short while ago. Nessus is a network vulnerability scanner that can be used to identify potential vulnerabilities in your systems and networks. You can use it to find open ports, unpatched software, configuration errors and possibly leaks of private data.
The software package consists of a client and server. The server keeps the scanner plugins up to date and the client performs the actual scan.
- Download the package from the homepage (you need to provide your e-mail address)
- Install it, start the server program and download the newest scanner plugins
- After you started the server, you can connect to it from the client
- Add an IP address on the left side and add scanner types to the right side (choose all plugins for a start)
- „Scan now“: The scan takes about 5 minutes
Nessus is available free of charge for non-enterprise and personal use. The commercial version (Professional Feed) costs $1,200 which you can evaluate for 15 days. Even a one-time check gives you a great overview of what a potential attacker would see.
