What is Nmap?
· Nmap is a popular network exploration and security auditing tool.
· Used to discover hosts and services on a computer network, as well as perform vulnerability scanning and port scanning.
· Widely used by penetration testers for network discovery and system security audits.
· Can be used on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, and is freely available for download.
Nmap comes with a wide range of features, including ability to scan large networks and to detect open ports, operating systems, and other network services. tool can also be used to detect potential vulnerabilities in a network, such as weak passwords, outdated software, and misconfigured services.
Getting Started with Nmap:
1. Installing Nmap:
Check if Nmap is installed on your system by opening terminal and typing “nmap”.
If not, you can install it using the following command in your kali linux terminal:
sudo apt-get install nmap
It can also be downloaded from the official website Nmap.org.
Once you have Nmap installed, you can start using it from the command line.
Basic Syntax for Nmap is:
“nmap [Scan Type] [Options] [Targets]”
So, Here are some basic commands to get you started:
2. Nmap help Option:
The command nmap -h will display the help menu for Nmap. This menu provides information about the different options and functionalities available in Nmap.
breakdown of what you can expect to see in the Nmap help menu:
Basic Usage: This section will show you the fundamental syntax for using Nmap commands, including specifying targets and scan types.
Scan Types: Nmap offers various scanning methods. The help menu will detail these options, like TCP scans, UDP scans, and ping sweeps.
Target Specification: You’ll learn how to define the targets you want to scan using IP addresses, hostnames, or network ranges.
Scan Techniques: Nmap employs different techniques to gather information. The help menu will explain these techniques, such as SYN scanning, stealth scans, and Xmas tree scans.
Service Detection: Nmap can identify the services running on ports. The help menu will detail options for service version detection and operating system detection.
Scripting: Nmap allows scripting for advanced tasks. The help menu will provide information on using scripts for tasks like vulnerability scanning.
Output: Nmap offers various output formats. The help menu will explain how to customize the output to suit your needs.
