What is Nmap and how do I use it?

What is Nmap and how do I use it?

Nmap, or Network Mapper, is a powerful open-source tool for network discovery and security auditing. You can use it to discover hosts and services on a computer network.

Can you give me a basic command to scan a network?

Sure! A basic command to scan a network would be nmap 192.168.1.0/24, which scans all devices in that subnet.

What options can I use with Nmap for more detailed scans?

You can use options like -sS for a stealth SYN scan, -O for OS detection, and -p to specify ports. For example, nmap -sS -O -p 22,80 192.168.1.1.

Is Nmap legal to use?

Yes, Nmap is legal to use, but you should only scan networks you own or have permission to scan to avoid legal issues.