Nessus

Nessus, developed by Tenable Network Security, stands out as a powerful vulnerability scanning platform for auditors and security analysts. The latest version, 10.8.3, incorporates an impressive array of features including vulnerability assessment, malware/botnet detection, and configuration and compliance auditing. Users can conveniently schedule scans across multiple scanners and utilize wizards to create policies with ease.

One of the major highlights of Nessus is its ability to inspect security holes on both local networks and personal computers, independent of the operating system. Supported operating systems include Windows XP, XP Professional, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, making it exceptionally versatile for various environments. The tool relies on an extensive database of plugins to detect previously known vulnerabilities, ensuring comprehensive security assessments. Users can define security policies tailored to their needs, excluding certain vulnerabilities that do not affect their network, such as UNnix vulnerabilities on a Microsoft Windows network.

In addition to, Tenable Nessus' robust scanning capabilities, the software provides a detailed analysis of different components, ranging from operating systems and network protocols to firewalls and SGBDs, accessible through the plugins tabs within the create or edit policy option.

The essential program files for Nessus include nessussvrmanager.exe, nessus.exe, nessuscli.exe, NessusClient.exe, and nessusd.exe. While the latest version is v10.8.3, other available versions include 8.8, 8.1, and 6.5, catering to different user preferences and requirements.

This program falls under the Internet & Network category, specifically in the Network Tools subcategory, and is also known by the alias, Tenable Nessus.

Potential users can download Nessus with a free trial to explore its full capabilities.

Pros:

• Comprehensive vulnerability assessment and malware/botnet detection
• Versatile support for various operating systems
• User-friendly policy creation and scheduling
• Extensive plugin database for detecting known vulnerabilities

Cons:

• Requires a certain level of technical expertise to fully utilize all features
• May be resource-intensive during comprehensive scans

By leveraging Nessus, network administrators and security professionals can ensure robust protection against vulnerabilities across diverse systems and networks.

It is not possible to confirm if there is a free download for this software available on the developer's website. According to the results of the Google Safe Browsing check, the developer's site is safe. Despite this, we recommend checking the downloaded files with any free antivirus software.

You may want to check out more software, such as Hamachi, Spiceworks or BitMeter, which might be related to Nessus.