If you’re running a website or web application, you need to be aware of the security risks that come with it. That’s where website vulnerability scanners come in. These automated tools scan websites for vulnerabilities, like SQL injection or cross-site scripting. Once the scanner identifies vulnerabilities, it’ll provide recommendations on addressing them. This is crucial in preventing attacks from hackers who might exploit these vulnerabilities. This blog post will detail the best web application vulnerability scanners for you to use in 2023.
What are web application vulnerability scanners?
For starters, using the term “web application” is just a fancy-pants way of saying “website.” So if you hear someone say something about a web application, they’re talking about a website.
Web vulnerability scanners help identify potential security risks in web applications. These scanners analyze web application code and identify vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
Importance of using website vulnerability scanners
A web vulnerability scanner is important because it can help prevent security breaches that could lead to data theft, system hijacking, or other malicious activities. Scanning websites for vulnerabilities identifies potential security risks early on, which can help prevent damage before it occurs. Bottom line? Vulnerability scanning is one of the website security services you don’t want to skimp on.
Best Web Vulnerability Scanners for 2023
We’ve discussed what website vulnerability scanners are and their capabilities. Now let’s talk about the best scanners available today. Here’s my list of the best vulnerability scanners you can try in 2023.
Nessus
Nessus is a top-notch vulnerability scanner that helps organizations of all sizes find and fix security issues. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, Nessus can help keep your systems and applications secure.
Using its powerful database of vulnerability checks, Nessus scans your systems and applications thoroughly, looking for any potential vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. It then generates a detailed report highlighting any issues it found during the scan.
The report is designed to be easy to understand, even if you’re not a security expert. It provides detailed information on each vulnerability found, including severity ratings and recommendations for remediation. Nessus even offers tips and tricks on fixing the vulnerabilities it finds, making it a valuable tool for IT and security professionals.
Some of Nessus’ top features:
- Scans your network or host to identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
- Checks your systems against industry standards and regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and CIS
- Provides information on missing patches and recommend fixes.
- Generates detailed reports on the vulnerabilities and compliance issues it finds.
- Integrates with other security tools, such as SIEMs and vulnerability management platforms
Pricing:
- Nessus pricing plans start at $2790/year
Pros
- Powerful tool that can scan for a wide range of vulnerabilities and compliance issues
- Allows users to customize scans to meet their specific needs
- Nessus has a large and active user community that provides support and shares best practice
Cons
- Cost can be high for some users
- False positives:
- Limited automation
Acunetix
Acunetix is a popular web application vulnerability scanner that can detect over 6,500 vulnerabilities, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. It offers cloud-based and on-premises versions so that you can choose the best option for your organization. Acunetix also integrates with popular issue-tracking systems like JIRA, GitHub, and GitLab, making managing and tracking vulnerabilities easy.
One of the key features of Acunetix is its ability to crawl and scan modern web applications, including single-page applications (SPAs) and web APIs. It uses advanced technologies like JavaScript to detect vulnerabilities accurately detect vulnerabilities. Acunetix also offers an easy-to-use interface, making it accessible to technical and non-technical users.
Some of Acunetix’s top features:
- Flexible API to integrate with everything else
- 99% customer support satisfaction
- Detect 7,000 + web vulnerabilities
- Native integrations into CI/CD and issue trackers
- Easy to use, intelligent crawling
Pricing:
- Acunetix offers a variety of pricing options, ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 per year.
Pros
- Fast and accurate scanning
- Remediation advice included in reports
- Suitable for both small and large organizations
Cons
- Expensive pricing
Veracode
Veracode is a cloud-based software security platform that provides various security testing solutions, including web application vulnerability scanning. It uses static and dynamic analysis techniques to scan web applications and detect security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web application vulnerabilities.
Veracode is a great choice for web application vulnerability scanning due to its comprehensive testing, accuracy, integrations, scalability, and reporting capabilities.
Some of Veracode’s top features:
- Comprehensive testing of web applications using a combination of static and dynamic analysis techniques
- Scalability to scan thousands of web applications at once, making it an ideal choice for large enterprises with a large number of applications
- Support for multiple programming languages and frameworks, including Java, .NET, PHP, Python, and Ruby
- Continuous testing and monitoring of web applications to ensure ongoing security
- Compliance reporting for various industry standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and SOC 2
Pricing:
- Veracode has custom pricing plans available for clients
Pros
- Accurate identification of vulnerabilities while minimizing false positives.
- Detailed reports that help developers prioritize and fix vulnerabilities quickly, including remediation guidance.
- Advanced policy management and custom rule creation for specific business needs and security requirements.
Cons
- Pricing is relatively high compared to other vulnerability scanners.
- The scanning process can take a long time, especially for large applications
- The user interface can be overwhelming for some users
Intruder
Intruder is a cloud-based vulnerability scanner that helps website owners identify security vulnerabilities in their web applications, websites, and networks. It scans web applications and networks to detect vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. Intruder scans for various vulnerabilities, including OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, outdated software, and other potential security issues.
Overall, Intruder is a powerful and effective tool for website owners who want to proactively identify and address potential security vulnerabilities in their web applications and networks. Its ease of use, comprehensive scanning, and automated vulnerability detection make it one of the best vulnerability scanners on the market.
Some of Intruder’s top features:
- Monitor changes to your attack surface
- Run comprehensive security checks
- Effortless reporting and compliance
- Premium customer suppor
- Automated alert system when vulnerabilities are detected
Pricing:
- Essential – $1,215/year
- Pro – $1,958/year
- Custom Pricing Available
Pros
- Designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, with a simple interface
- Automates the vulnerability detection process
- Intruder is cloud-based, which means that website owners don’t need to install any software on their own servers or devices.
Cons
- Reporting options are somewhat limited compared to other vulnerability scanners
- Intruder does not offer an on-premise option
- Limited integration options with other security tools
Nexpose (Rapid7)
Nexpose is a vulnerability management tool that helps organizations identify and prioritize security vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure. It is one of the most powerful and comprehensive vulnerability scanners available. Nexpose provides a detailed and accurate assessment of the security risks present in an organization’s environment.
One of the key strengths of Nexpose is its ability to scan a wide range of assets, including servers, network devices, databases, and web applications. It uses active and passive scanning techniques to identify vulnerabilities, providing a more accurate picture of an organization’s security posture. Nexpose also offers a variety of customization options, allowing users to tailor scans to their specific needs and requirements.
Some of Nexpose’s top features:
- Active and passive scanning techniques to identify vulnerabilities.
- Customizable scanning options to tailor scans to specific needs and requirements.
- Risk-based prioritization of vulnerabilities based on their severity.
- Ability to track remediation progress and monitor ongoing security posture
- Compliance reporting for various regulations and standards, such as PCI-DSS and HIPAA
Pricing:
- Nexpose’s pricing plans aren’t available on their website
Pros
- Comprehensive scanning capabilities that cover a wide range of assets.
- Robust reporting capabilities, with customizable and filterable reports.
- Remediation guidance and recommendations to assist with prioritization and addressing vulnerabilities.
Cons
- Can be expensive for smaller organizations.
- Requires a significant amount of resources, including processing power and storage space
- The complexity of the tool may be overwhelming for some users
Summary
That concludes my list of the five best web application vulnerability scanners you can check out in 2023. If I missed any that you think should be included, please add it in the comments section below! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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