Nmap

Nmap is free port scanning computer software distributed by Insecure.Org and designed to detect open port (computing)s on a target computer, determine which services are running on those ports, and infer which operating system the computer is running (this is also known as OS fingerprinting ). It has become one of the de-facto tools in any network administrator s toolbox, and is used for penetration testing and general computer security.

Like most tools used in computer security, Nmap is useful to both system administrators and cracker (computing)s (or script kiddies). System administrators can use it to test for possible unauthorized servers in the workplace, whereas crackers use it to scope out a potential target.

Nmap is often confused with a host vulnerability assessment tool such as Nessus (software). Nmap is stealthy, built to evade intrusion detection systems, and less likely to interfere with the normal operation of the networks or computers being scanned.

Some movies show Nmap in action. In The Matrix Reloaded the character Trinity (Matrix character) used Nmap to help hack into a power plant through the SSH Cyclic_redundancy_check exploit (discovered in 2001). Some Nmap source code can be seen in movie Battle Royale . In a DVD-only pornographic movie Haxxxor a young woman tutors the basics on using nmap while removing her clothing.

Developed by Fyodor, released under the GNU General Public License.

=External Links=

*[http://www.insecure.org/nmap/ The Nmap Security Scanner] *[http://www.insecure.org/nmap/versionscan.html Nmap Version Detection Paper] *[http://www.insecure.org/nmap/nmap-fingerprinting-article.html Nmap OS Fingerprinting Paper] *[http://www.insecure.org/nmap/idlescan.html Nmap Idle Scanning Paper] *[http://www.insecure.org/nmap/data/nmap_manpage.html Nmap Man Page] *[http://www.nessus.org Nessus Vulnerability Scanner] *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3039329.stm BBC News: Matrix mixes life and hacking] *[http://voodoo.somoslopeor.com/papers/nmap.html A practical approach for defeating Nmap OS-Fingerprinting ]