5 Best Scanners for Penetration Testing 

1. Nmap

Nmap is a free and open-source network scanner that can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Network discovery: Nmap can be used to discover all of the devices on a network, including their IP addresses and MAC addresses.
• Port scanning: Nmap can scan ports on devices to see which ports are open and what services are running on those ports.
• Operating system detection: Nmap can be used to detect the operating system that is running on a device.
• Vulnerability scanning: Nmap can be used to scan devices for known vulnerabilities.

2. Zmap

ZMap is a high-performance network scanner that can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Internet-wide scanning: ZMap can scan the entire Internet in a matter of minutes.
• Network discovery: ZMap can be used to discover all of the devices on a network, including their IP addresses and MAC addresses.
• Port scanning: ZMap can scan ports on devices to see which ports are open and what services are running on those ports.
• Operating system detection: ZMap can be used to detect the operating system that is running on a device.
• Vulnerability scanning: ZMap can be used to scan devices for known vulnerabilities.

3. Masscan

Masscan is a high-performance network scanner that can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Large-scale network scanning: Masscan can scan large networks very quickly, even the entire Internet.
• Port scanning: Masscan can scan ports on devices to see which ports are open and what services are running on those ports.
• Operating system detection: Masscan can be used to detect the operating system that is running on a device.
• Vulnerability scanning: Masscan can be used to scan devices for known vulnerabilities.

Masscan is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and bad purposes. Some of the pros and cons of using Masscan include:

4. Nessus

Nessus is a vulnerability scanner that can identify security vulnerabilities in networks, devices, and applications. It is a popular tool for security professionals, but non-technical users can also use it.

Nessus can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Vulnerability scanning: Nessus can scan networks, devices, and applications for known vulnerabilities. This information can be used to patch vulnerabilities and improve the security of IT systems.
• Compliance auditing: Nessus can be used to audit IT systems for compliance with security standards and regulations.
• Risk assessment: Nessus can be used to assess the security risk of IT systems. This information can be used to prioritize remediation efforts and make informed decisions about security investments.

Nessus is a powerful tool that can be used to improve the security of IT systems. However, it is essential to note that Nessus is not a complete security solution. Using Nessus in conjunction with other security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security awareness training is essential.

5. Evil Foca

Evil FOCA is a network scanning and analysis tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Network discovery: Evil FOCA can be used to discover all of the devices on a network, including their IP addresses, MAC addresses, and operating systems.
• Port scanning: Evil FOCA can be used to scan ports on devices to see which ports are open and what services are running on those ports.
• Vulnerability scanning: Evil FOCA can be used to scan devices for known vulnerabilities.
• Fuzzing: Evil FOCA can be used to fuzz devices by sending them invalid or unexpected data.
• Traffic analysis: Evil FOCA can be used to analyze network traffic to identify patterns and anomalies.