Technologies

Open Vulnerability Assessment Scanner

The Open Vulnerability Assessment System (OpenVAS) is a free, open-source vulnerability scanning and management platform. It was forked from the previously discontinued Nessus 2. OpenVAS helps organizations identify and manage vulnerabilities in their systems and networks by scanning for known security issues and providing detailed reports that help prioritize and remediate these vulnerabilities.

One of the key features of OpenVAS is its extensive database of vulnerability checks. These checks are regularly updated to include the latest security vulnerabilities and threats. OpenVAS can scan a wide range of targets, including servers, network devices, and web applications, to identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

OpenVAS uses a client-server architecture, where the OpenVAS Scanner performs the actual scanning of targets, and the OpenVAS Manager provides a centralized management interface for configuring scans, scheduling tasks, and viewing reports. The OpenVAS Greenbone Security Assistant (GSA) is a web-based interface that allows users to interact with the OpenVAS Manager and view scan results through a web browser.

In addition to vulnerability scanning, OpenVAS also provides tools for managing and reporting on vulnerabilities. Users can generate detailed reports that include information about the vulnerabilities found, their severity, and recommended remediation steps. These reports can be used to prioritize and track the remediation of vulnerabilities across an organization’s IT infrastructure.

OpenVAS is widely used by security professionals, system administrators, and IT managers to improve the security posture of their organizations. By regularly scanning for vulnerabilities and remediating them in a timely manner, organizations can reduce the risk of security breaches and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.