NMAP- introduction

 NMAP-Network Mapper

Namp

what is Nmap?

Nmap (“Network Mapper”) is an open source tool for network exploration and security auditing. It was designed to rapidly scan large networks, although it works fine against single hosts. Nmap uses raw IP packets in novel ways to determine what hosts are available on the network, what services (application name and version) those hosts are offering, what operating systems (and OS versions) they are running, what type of packet filters/firewalls are in use, and dozens of other characteristics. While Nmap is commonly used for security audits, many systems and network administrators find it useful for routine tasks such as network inventory, managing service upgrade schedules, and monitoring host or service uptime.

Nmap can provide further information on targets, including reverse DNS names, operating system guesses, device types, and MAC addresses.

it can be accessed via their website Nmap.org

WHY USE NMAP

Nmap offers a wide range of benefits for network administrators, security professionals, and ethical hackers. Here are some of the key reasons why you might use Nmap;

1. Network Discovery and Inventory:

    Nmap can scan your network to identify active hosts, gather information about their operating systems, and determine which ports are open and what services they are running. This information can be crucial for understanding your network infrastructure, identifying potential security risks, and planning maintenance activities.

2. Security Auditing and Vulnerability Assessment:

    Nmap can be used to scan for potential security vulnerabilities in open ports and running services. This can help you identify and address weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers. Nmap also provides information about the operating system versions and service versions, which can help you prioritize your vulnerability management efforts.

3. Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking:

    Nmap is a valuable tool for penetration testers and ethical hackers. It can be used to identify potential entry points into a network, gather information about the network layout and security posture, and simulate attacks to test the effectiveness of security controls.

4. Network Monitoring and Maintenance:

    Nmap can be used to automate network scans on a regular basis, providing ongoing insights into your network's health and security. This can help you detect changes or anomalies that could indicate potential problems or security breaches.

5. Compliance Auditing:

    In many industries, organizations are required to comply with regulations that mandate regular network security audits. Nmap can be used to document the network configuration and identify potential compliance gaps.

6. Research and Development:

    Nmap is a powerful tool that can be used for research and development in various fields, including network security, network engineering, and computer science. It can be used to study network behavior, develop new security tools, and test new network protocols.

Conclusion,

    Nmap is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of purposes in network administration, security, and research. It's a valuable asset for organizations of all sizes that want to maintain a secure and well-managed network.

FEATURES OF NMAP

Nmap features can be sub-divided into three section

Network Discovery

• Host identification: Discover active devices on a network, including their IP addresses and DNS names.
• Port scanning: Identify open ports on discovered devices, revealing potential services and applications running.
• Service detection: Recognize the specific services running on open ports (e.g., web server, SSH, database).
• OS fingerprinting: Guess the operating system running on a device based on its response behaviour.
• Network mapping: Build a comprehensive picture of your network topology and infrastructure.

   Security Exploration

• Vulnerability detection: Scan for known vulnerabilities in services and operating systems based on version information.
• Security audits: Conduct comprehensive security assessments of your network infrastructure to identify potential weaknesses.
• Penetration testing: Simulate attacker behaviour to test the effectiveness of network security controls.
• Risk assessment: Prioritize vulnerabilities based on exploitability and potential impact.
• Compliance verification: Check for adherence to network security regulations and standards.

    Customization

• Scripting: Extend Nmap's functionality with custom scripts for unique tasks and information gathering.
• Scan options: Tailor scans to specific needs with various flags and settings, like scan types, port ranges, and timing parameters.
• Output formats: Export scan results in various formats (XML, JSON, text) for analysis and integration with other tools.
• Automation: Schedule regular scans and automate tasks for continuous network monitoring and security assessment.

Nmap offers more than this above, this shows how powerful this tool really is!

AVAILBILTY

Nmap is available on all plattforms incuding Linux, Windows, Mac and other terminal apps lie [Userland, Termux, google console..].

DOWNLOADING THE APPLICATION

Step 1:

    Head over to their website download page Nmap.org

Nmap homepage.

Step 2:

    Choose your desired plattform and follow the next page prompt for your download.

Alternatively, Linux and terminal user can use a one command to install the tool

sudo apt-get install nmap 

Summary

Today we had just introduced Nmap software/tool that aids IT proffessional scan, monitor the network, in the next post we shall get started with real-world examples.