Similar to packet sniffing, port scanning and other "security tools", vulnerability scanning can help you to secure your own network or it can be used by the bad guys to identify weaknesses in your system to mount an attack against. The idea is for you to use these tools to identify and fix these weaknesses before the bad guys use them against you. . . .
Similar to packet sniffing, port scanning and other "security tools", vulnerability scanning can help you to secure your own network or it can be used by the bad guys to identify weaknesses in your system to mount an attack against. The idea is for you to use these tools to identify and fix these weaknesses before the bad guys use them against you.


The goal of running a vulnerability scanner is to identify devices on your network that are open to known vulnerabilities. Different scanners accomplish this goal through different means. Some work better than others.

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