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Vulnerability scanner is a software program that has been designed
to find vulnerabilities on computer system, network and servers. In
addition to the manual security test and code review, automatic tools
always play their roles to make the vulnerability assessment
efficient. There are many aspects that you should consider before
using any tool; aspects are including but not limited to the cost,
features, reporting pattern or simply management. This article
contains the detail of top vulnerability scanner tools that you might
required in your security testing process.

The Nessus vulnerability scanner provides patch,
configuration, and compliance auditing; mobile, malware, and botnet discovery;
sensitive data identification and many other features.

Operating System:
Windows, Mac OS X, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, Solaris, and/or other UNIX variants
Price: Paid

The Open Vulnerability Assessment System (OpenVAS) is a
framework of several services and tools offering a comprehensive and powerful
vulnerability scanning and vulnerability management solution.
 
The actual security scanner is accompanied with a daily updated feed of Network
Vulnerability Tests (NVTs), over 33,000 in total (as of December 2013).

All OpenVAS products are Free Software. Most components are licensed under the
GNU General Public License (GNU GPL).

Operating System:
Linux, Windows and other operating systems.
Price: Free

As network security continues to harden, it’s no surprise
that cyber criminals have shifted their attack techniques to focus on
applications and end users. 

With the release of version 12.5, CORE Impact Pro takes vulnerability
assessment and testing far beyond traditional exploitation — allowing
commercial and government organizations to actively and accurately test the
security of their network and application infrastructure using the same
Advanced Persistent Threat and password-based techniques employed by cyber
attackers.

Operating System:
Windows
Price: Paid

Nexpose, the vulnerability management software, proactively
scans your environment for mis-configurations, vulnerabilities, and malware and
provides guidance for mitigating risks. Experience the power of Nexpose
vulnerability management solutions by knowing the security risk of your entire IT environment including
networks, operating systems, web applications, databases, and virtualization.

Exposing security threats including vulnerabilities, mis-configurations and
malware.

Prioritizing threats and getting specific remediation guidance for each issue.
Integrating with Metasploit to validate security risk in your environment.

Operating System: Windows, Linux
                          
Price: Paid

Research consistently demonstrates that many of the
vulnerabilities cybercriminals exploit can be prevented with updated software
patches, and addressing of misconfigured network gear and unauthorized devices
on the network.

GFI LanGuard scans and detects network vulnerabilities before they are
exposed, reducing the time required to patch machines on your network.
GFI LanGuard patches Microsoft ®, Mac® OS X®, Linux® and more than 50
third-party operating systems and applications, and deploys both
security and non-security patches.

Operating System:
Windows
Price: Paid

QualysGuard Enterprise is an award-winning cloud security and compliance
solution. It helps global businesses simplify IT security operations
and lower the cost of compliance. It delivers critical security
intelligence on demand and automates the full spectrum of auditing,
compliance and protection for Internet perimeter systems, internal
networks, and web applications.

Operating System:
Windows
Price: Paid

The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer provides a
streamlined method to identify missing security updates and common security
misconfigurations. MBSA 2.3 release adds support for Windows 8.1, Windows 8,
Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2012. Windows 2000 will no longer be
supported with this release.

Operating System:
Windows
Price: Freeware

With over 10,000 deployments since 1998, Beyond Trust Retina
Network Security Scanner is the most sophisticated vulnerability assessment
solution on the market. Available as a standalone application or as part of the
Retina CS unified vulnerability management platform. 

Retina Security Scanner
enables you to efficiently identify IT exposures and prioritize remediation
enterprise-wide. Retina Network Security Scanner, the industry’s most mature
and effective vulnerability scanning technology, identifies the vulnerabilities
– missing patches, configuration weaknesses, and industry best practices – to
protect an organization’s IT assets.

Operating System:
Windows
Price: Paid

Don’t let one vulnerable PC open your corporate network up
to cyber attacks – Combining private and corporate Patch Management provides a
360° overview of all vulnerability threats

The Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) is a free security tool designed
to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins, which expose your PC
to attacks. Once installed, the Secunia PSI can help you patch vulnerable
programs and stay secure.

Operating System:
Windows
Price: Freeware

Nipper (short for Network Infrastructure Parser, previously known
as Cisco Parse) audits the security of network devices such as switches,
routers, and firewalls. It works by parsing and analyzing device configuration
file which the Nipper user must supply. This was an open source tool until its
developer (Titania) released a commercial version and tried to hide their old
GPL releases (including the GPLv2 version 0.10 source tarball).

Operating System: Windows,
Apple MAC OSX, Linux
Price: Paid

Further reading: Top 125 Network Security Tools