Network Scanners
🌐 Best Network Scanners in the Cybersecurity Industry
Network scanning is one of the most important phases in penetration testing, ethical hacking, SOC analysis, and network security assessments.
These scanners help identify live hosts, open ports, running services, firewall rules, vulnerabilities, and network misconfigurations.
Below are 6 of the most powerful, widely used, and industry-standard network scanners used by professionals and enterprises.
🔥 1. Nmap — The King of Network Scanning
Official Download:
https://nmap.org/download.html
✅ Steps to Install
Linux
sudo apt update sudo apt install nmap
Windows
Download installer from the official page.
📝 How to Use
Scan a host:
nmap <IP>
Detect services & versions:
nmap -sV <IP>
Aggressive scan:
nmap -A <IP>
Scan a subnet:
nmap 192.168.1.0/24
Why it’s the best:
✔ Most powerful & flexible scanner
✔ Built-in scripts via NSE (Nmap Scripting Engine)
✔ Used worldwide for network audits and vulnerability scanning
🔥 2. Masscan — The Fastest Internet Port Scanner
Official Download:
https://github.com/robertdavidgraham/masscan
✅ Steps to Install
Linux
git clone https://github.com/robertdavidgraham/masscan cd masscan make
Windows
Download release binaries.
📝 How to Use
Scan the entire internet-range port:
masscan <IP> -p80
Ultra-fast scan:
masscan 0.0.0.0/0 -p80 --rate 100000
Why it’s the best:
✔ Fastest scanner in the world
✔ Can scan the entire internet in minutes
✔ Used for large-scale network reconnaissance
🔥 3. Angry IP Scanner — Lightweight Cross-Platform Scanner
Official Download:
✅ Steps to Install
Windows/Mac/Linux
Download installer → Run the application.
📝 How to Use
Enter IP range
Press “Start Scan”
See live hosts, open ports, MAC addresses
Why it’s the best:
✔ Extremely easy to use
✔ Fast local network scanning
✔ Ideal for home labs, offices, & SOC teams
🔥 4. Zmap — High-Speed Network Scanner for Research
Official Download:
✅ Steps to Install (Linux)
sudo apt update sudo apt install zmap
📝 How to Use
Basic scan:
sudo zmap -p 80 192.168.1.0/24
Large-scale research scan:
sudo zmap -p 443 0.0.0.0/0
Why it’s the best:
✔ Designed for internet-wide scanning
✔ Used in academic security research
✔ High speed & high accuracy
🔥 5. OpenVAS / Greenbone — Enterprise Vulnerability Scanner
Official Download:
https://www.greenbone.net/en/testnow/
✅ Steps to Install (Linux)
Kali Linux:
sudo apt install openvas sudo gvm-setup
Start services:
sudo gvm-start
📝 How to Use
Login to Greenbone web UI
Start a Full & Fast Scan
View vulnerabilities and CVSS score
Generate reports (PDF/HTML)
Why it’s the best:
✔ Enterprise-grade vulnerability scanning
✔ Detects real-world CVEs
✔ Detailed remediation steps
✔ Essential for companies & SOC teams
🔥 6. Netdiscover — ARP Network Scanner
Official Download:
https://github.com/netdiscover-scanner/netdiscover
✅ Steps to Install
sudo apt install netdiscover
📝 How to Use
Scan local network:
sudo netdiscover
Range scan:
sudo netdiscover -r 192.168.1.0/24
Why it’s the best:
✔ Ideal for identifying all devices in a network
✔ Fast ARP-based detection
✔ Useful in wireless pentesting & internal audits