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Nmap Security Tool Survey

Posted by michael on from the portscanning-for-fun-and-profit dept.

spring writes "Every so often, the author of everyone's favorite network reconnaissance tool, nmap, runs a survey to determine which security-oriented software products are most popular. This year's tool survey was just released, and it contains some interesting results. Old favorites like Nessus, Snort, Netcat, and Ethereal made the list, of course. SAINT and SARA are still around. But a number of new tools appeared this year, like Windows-only GFI LANguard, SuperScan, and Cain & Abel. Nikto and Kismet demonstrate the growing importance of wireless networks. The survey contains many good tools. Certainly worth a read."

2 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. SAINT not SAINTLY by wolf- · · Score: 2, Troll

    After SAINT the network tool went after the author of Saint (the open source server/service uptime application) over a name/branding dispute, we have stopped recommending their product (the network security tool) entirely.

    They were similarly named, however, there was very little chance of them being confused for one another. Apparently SAINT didn't have enough confidence in their own marketing or their customers intelligence to keep their lawyers out of it.

    Just my 2 cents worth. But then, my 2 cents has an effect on a few large clients with large budgets. Good Job SAINT.

    --
    ----- LoboSoft specializes in Digital Language Lab
  2. Re:Strangely enough... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    I think the easier road to tread is why allow these tools in the first place?

    While you can argue over and over about which 'side' gets the most use out of a particular tool, it seems clear to me that without the 'black hats' having access to them, the 'white hats' wouldn't NEED them. that's going back to first prinsipals for me. Why make them so freely accessibly in the first place?. It's like mp3 sharing networks. They can be defended time and time again as useful tools and good for trading patches and such, but who seriously goes to an mp3 trading network for patches? do you really trust them? they trade mp3s to get around licenses and paying for music.

    Hence my skeptisism when it comes to security apps like these. I don't believe an excuse of 'impartiality' can be justified when a tool is made that has such strong dark uses.

    (watch the biased slashdot mods do their reactionary mod down on me, they can''t help themselves)