>> Do you find yourself constantly searching
>> for low-cost and no-cost tools
>> to add to your cybersecurity toolbox?
>> If you're like me, the answer is definitely yes.
The problem is, some of these tools
>> don't deserve to be there
>> because they either don't do what they kind to do,
>> or what they do is simply isn't that important.
I'm here to show you that
the Nmap software suite is one of those few tools
>> that will exceed your expectations.
>> Throughout this course, I hope to prove to you
that Nmap deserves a spot in your toolbox.
My name is Rob Thurston,
thanks for coming along on this journey with me.
>> According to the official and Nmap website,
Nmap stands for network mapper
but I don't think that gives it enough credit.
It's a free and open-source utility
for network discovery, security auditing.
Nmap crafts and sends IP packets onto the wire
>> that help to discover and interrogate devices
>> on private networks and on the Internet.
>> Nmap was originally developed in 1997 by Gordon Lyon,
who is best known as Theodore on the web
and conferences like Defcon worldwide.
In this course, I refer to Nmap as a suite of products
because it comes with some other cool tools
that can be used independently.
Zenmap is the graphical user interface for Nmap.
We'll go through that later.
Npcap is Nmap's packet capture library,
similar to when WinPeak app for Windows
>> and LivePeak app for Linux and Unix-based systems.
>> Ncat, Nping, and Ndiff all work behind
the scenes to help Nmap do its thing.
I personally consider Nmap
the Cybersecurity Swiss Army knife.
The reason why is simple,
it's one tool that can do a lot of things.
It can create a network inventory,
monitor host and service uptime,
identify open ports running services and their version,
determine the operating system versions,
inspect firewalls and the rule sets,
and produce both searchable and report quality output.
If you haven't already,
I strongly suggest you put Nmap
>> into your cybersecurity toolbox.
>> We've gone over what Nmap is
>> and how it can be used.
>> Why is it so important?
The fact is every real hacker,
no matter the color of their hat uses it.
Almost every certification test on cybersecurity,
especially ethical hacking and penetration testing,
will require some knowledge of it.
No matter what role you serve as a part of an IT
>> or cybersecurity team,
>> you really need to know Nmap.
Nmap is flexible, meaning you can use it
>> for a variety of purposes using a lot of techniques.
>> It's powerful not only
because of how many things it can do
>> but because of how quickly and efficiently
>> it could do them, and it's portable.
It will run on almost any operating system
>> and can be easily removed without a trace.
>> Even though Nmap can do so many things,
getting started with it is also very easy,
whether you prefer a command line or a GUI,
Nmap can execute a scan of
an entire network in 16 characters.
You'll see this later. Maybe the best thing
about it is that it is completely free,
but this doesn't mean that it doesn't have value.
Finally, Nmap is acclaimed
>> and popular besides winning many awards
>> and being featured in a lot of tech journals
>> and even research papers,
>> Nmap has appeared in magazines,
books, movies, and even comic book.
If you want to see an example,
go to YouTube and search for Trinity uses Nmap.
You'll see Trinity from the matrix
performing an Nmap scan before launching an attack.
Nmap is an important tool for you to learn.
In this lesson,
>> I've basically done my best to sell you on Nmap
>> and on the value of this course. I hope it worked.
>> We talked about what Nmap is,
what it does, and why it's important.
I can't tell you how excited I am
that you've chosen to take this course.
Use it in whatever way you see fit.
I hope that provides value to you
>> and increases your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
>> Please use those things for good.
Thanks so much for spending your valuable time
>> with me and I'll talk to you on the next video.