Nmap: Professional Network Scanning from Udemy

What is this course about?

You will become an expert using the most powerful and flexible network scanner available. Nmap is the scanner that other scanners are measured against and you will know how to use it from start to finish.

This course will start off with the basics of network scanning with Nmap and move into how you can use it safely and effectively in your network. You will use practical examples and demonstrations to learn how to use Nmap right now.

Why should you take this course?

This course is based on real experiences using Nmap in network security tests on a huge variety of networks. When you are done, you will have the information you need to safely and effectively scan networks for vulnerabilities, services, and hosts. You will start out at the very basics and work your way up to writing your own basic Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) scripts.

You will learn a core tool that will help you become a more effective:

penetration tester
ethical hacker
security professional
systems administrator
IT professional

Nmap is an incredibly powerful tool that you can use to troubleshoot network issues, find unknown network services, and vulnerabilities.

What students are saying:

"Superb. Covers the subject very nicely with no wasted dialog."

- James B.

"You present the ideas well, you have a good voice to listen to, you give clear explanations, your video resolution is excellent, and your reference material is excellent."

- Pamela D.

"Being new to IT and pentesting, this course was both informative and practical. I learned more than I though I would about Nmap and its many many features. Looking forward to more courses offered by this teacher/company. Thank you. "

- Matthew K.

Some of the topics include:

Getting and installing Nmap
Port scanning basics with Nmap
Safe scanning techniques
Performance and tuning considerations
Nmap Scripting Engine
Writing NSE scripts

When you complete this course, you will have gone from the basics of Nmap to how to customize your scans to solve some of the different problems you will face in doing network scans.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain critical skills to become a penetration tester, ethical hacker, and security professional
You will become skilled at testing your network security using one of the most powerful network security tools available
Learn how to rapidly and safely scan networks for undiscovered hosts and services

Learn the basics of the nmap scripting engine (nse) and start to build your own nse scripts
You will know the details of how nmap works and apply them to real world scanning situations
Perform network scanning safely and effectively

Gain critical skills to become a penetration tester, ethical hacker, and security professional
You will become skilled at testing your network security using one of the most powerful network security tools available
Learn how to rapidly and safely scan networks for undiscovered hosts and services
Learn the basics of the nmap scripting engine (nse) and start to build your own nse scripts
You will know the details of how nmap works and apply them to real world scanning situations
Perform network scanning safely and effectively

Syllabus

By the end of this section you will have been introduced to Nmap, learn some network basics and know how to get Nmap installed.

What problems Nmap works to solve
Over view of what you will learn in this course
What resources will you need to complete this course

Nmap's history
Interfaces to Nmap
Operating systems compatability

I cannot offer any legal advice, but in this video we will go over what the most common "rules of thumb" in use by security experts are. Everything in this section will focus on USA law. Be safe and do your research on your country/state/province's laws are before using security tools!

IP addresses and versions
Network ports
TCP protocol
UDP protocol
What an "open" port is and what it tells us

Need help or have a question? Please use the contact information in the PDF.

Review some sources of help available to help you better use Nmap

Run some basic network scans with Nmap
Specify ports and ranges of ports to scan
Specify target hosts and network ranges to scan
Common configuration options and when to use them

Read and understand Nmap output
Correctly interpret the 6 port states that Nmap will report
Reviewing several different scan results

Understand the 3 types of output files that Nmap uses
- .nmap files
- .gnmap files
- XML files
How to specify which type of files Nmap will save to
How to use the output files
Why save scan results?

Learn how Nmap works through a scan configuration
Learn which order different scan phases occur in
How to use this information in troubleshooting scan results

Learn how to scan IPv6 addresses using Nmap
Review some of the reasons why you would want to scan IPv6 addresses

Know when you need to run your scans with administrative privileges

Why do host discovery scans
Options to use for host discovery scans
How does Nmap determine whether a host is online?

How Nmap determines the operating system of a remote host
Which options to use for operating system discovery scans

How Nmap determines the type of service running on an open port
Which options to use for service discovery scanning

SYN scan
TCP connect scan
UDP scan
ACK scan

TCP Idle scan
NULL, FIN, Xmas scans
Firewall Evasion scans

Speed considerations
Bandwidth limits
UDP scanning issues
Options to use to improve performance or limit impact to the network

What is the Nmap Scripting Engine?
Why do we need the NSE?
How to use NSE scripts

Do you want to learn how to write your own NSE scripts? Then let's get started by taking a look at some basics of the Lua scripting language!

Let's take a look at the how NSE scripts are written and write your first NSE script!

Write your second NSE script to interact with a web server and collect the cookies it sets!

Review of what we covered
Where to go from here

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches Nmap, which is a core tool for network troubleshooting, vulnerability detection, and service discovery, making it highly relevant for security professionals

Explores the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) and teaches learners how to write their own NSE scripts, enabling customized network scans for specific problems

Covers safe scanning techniques and legal considerations, emphasizing responsible use of Nmap in network security testing, which is crucial for ethical hacking

Examines various scan types, including SYN, TCP connect, UDP, and firewall evasion scans, providing a comprehensive understanding of network scanning methodologies

Requires learners to understand USA law, which may not be applicable to all learners, so learners should research their country/state/province's laws before using security tools

Reviews summary

Practical nmap for network security

According to potential learners based on the course description, this course provides a positive and practical approach to mastering Nmap. It is designed to take students from the basics of network scanning to more advanced techniques, including the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) and even writing simple scripts. The course structure appears to emphasize practical examples and demonstrations, which are often highlighted by students as beneficial in technical subjects. It aims to equip individuals with the skills needed for roles like penetration tester or security professional, focusing on safely and effectively scanning networks. While the course covers a range of topics, the depth of advanced areas like NSE script writing might be a point learners could discuss, potentially rating it as a solid foundation but perhaps needing further supplemental study for true expertise.

Covers basics of Nmap Scripting Engine.

"I learned about the Nmap Scripting Engine and how to use existing scripts."

"It covers the basics of writing your own simple NSE scripts."

"Getting an introduction to Lua for NSE was a valuable part of the course."

Emphasizes safe and ethical scanning.

"I appreciated the section on safe scanning techniques and legal considerations."

"Understanding how to use Nmap safely is crucial, and the course addresses this."

"The guidance on ethical considerations was a helpful addition."

Good starting point for beginners and pros.

"It started with the very basics and built up from there, which was great."

"Even as someone new to IT, I found the fundamental concepts well explained."

"The course gives a solid foundation in using Nmap from start to finish."

Learn how to apply Nmap in real scenarios.

"I learned how to use Nmap effectively in real-world scanning situations."

"The practical examples helped me see how these concepts apply on the job."

"This course gave me the tools I needed to perform network scans safely and effectively."

Helps build skills for IT/Security roles.

"This course is directly applicable to my work as a security professional."

"I feel more confident applying for pentesting roles after taking this course."

"It's a core tool for sysadmins, and this course taught me how to use it well."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Nmap: Professional Network Scanning with these activities:

Review TCP/IP Fundamentals

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of TCP/IP fundamentals to better grasp Nmap's scanning techniques and interpret scan results effectively.

Browse courses on TCP/IP

Show steps

Study the layers of the TCP/IP model.
Understand the purpose of each layer.
Review common protocols like TCP, UDP, and IP.

Read 'Practical Packet Analysis' by Chris Sanders

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of network traffic and packet analysis to better interpret Nmap scan results and troubleshoot network issues.

View Intrusion Detection Honeypots on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on packet capture and filtering.
Practice analyzing network traffic using Wireshark.
Relate packet analysis concepts to Nmap scan results.

Read 'Nmap Network Scanning' by Gordon Lyon

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of Nmap by reading the official guide, which provides comprehensive coverage of all its features and capabilities.

View Nmap Network Scanning: The Official Nmap... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
Experiment with the commands and techniques described in the book.
Refer to the book for clarification on specific Nmap features.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Scan a Virtual Network

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Practice Nmap scanning techniques in a safe, controlled environment to reinforce your understanding and build confidence.

Show steps

Set up a virtual network using tools like VirtualBox or VMware.
Install Nmap on a separate virtual machine.
Scan the virtual network using various Nmap options.
Analyze the scan results and identify open ports and services.

Write a Blog Post on Nmap Scripting

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) by writing a blog post explaining its features and how to create custom scripts.

Show steps

Research the Nmap Scripting Engine and its capabilities.
Choose a specific NSE script to focus on.
Write a clear and concise explanation of the script's functionality.
Include code examples and screenshots.
Publish your blog post online.

Network Vulnerability Assessment

Show steps

Apply your Nmap skills to conduct a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of a network, identifying potential security weaknesses.

Show steps

Define the scope of the assessment.
Use Nmap to discover hosts, services, and operating systems.
Identify potential vulnerabilities based on scan results.
Document your findings in a report.

Contribute to Nmap Documentation

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Deepen your understanding of Nmap by contributing to its documentation, helping to improve the tool for other users.

Show steps

Identify areas in the Nmap documentation that need improvement.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Respond to feedback from the Nmap development team.

Career center

Learners who complete Nmap: Professional Network Scanning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Penetration Tester

A penetration tester uses tools like Nmap to find vulnerabilities in a network. This course teaches the fundamentals of Nmap, from basic scanning to writing custom scripts, and is designed to help build the skills needed to assess network security. Learners will gain experience with Nmap's features and learn to customize scans, which is crucial for anyone interested in becoming a penetration tester. This course will help build a foundation for identifying network weaknesses, a key part of penetration testing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers need to understand how to scan networks in order to discover possible vulnerabilities. This course provides instruction on how to use Nmap effectively and safely, including how to write basic Nmap Scripting Engine scripts. The course provides practical examples, and covers performance considerations and ways to tune scans. These are all very useful capabilities for an ethical hacker. Those entering the field of ethical hacking should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethical Hacker

Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity specialists need to be proficient in network scanning techniques to identify vulnerabilities. This course teaches Nmap, an industry-standard tool, from the ground up. It covers the basics of network scanning, how to scan safely and effectively, and how to write NSE scripts to automate tasks. This comprehensive training is ideal for those who want a career in cybersecurity, especially as a cybersecurity specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Specialist

Network Security Analyst

Network security analysts use network scanning tools to identify security risks. The 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' course helps a candidate to understand how Nmap works and how to use the tool safely. It covers practical applications, such as scanning for vulnerabilities and services, which is exactly what a network security analyst does. The course's focus on real-world examples and demonstrations makes it relevant for those wanting to protect networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Analyst

Vulnerability Analyst

Vulnerability analysts are responsible for identifying and assessing security weaknesses in a network. This course teaches the use of Nmap, a tool frequently used in vulnerability scanning. This course covers how to scan for vulnerabilities, and also how to use and write NSE scripts. This is an excellent introduction to network scanning for a vulnerability analyst. Those in this field should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst

Security Consultant

A security consultant often uses network scanning as part of their vulnerability assessments. The 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' course teaches how to use Nmap effectively, from the basics to writing custom scanning scripts. This course emphasizes real-world examples and safe scanning techniques. A security consultant must have knowledge of network scanning techniques and this course develops them, making it a recommended course to take.

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Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts use network scanning to evaluate and maintain their organization’s security posture. The skills learned in 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' such as learning to scan for vulnerabilities and services are essential to this role. The course also teaches safe scanning techniques, performance tuning, and how to use the Nmap Scripting Engine. All of these skills build a foundation for this role. An information security analyst will be well suited to take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Engineer

A security engineer uses tools like Nmap to detect and mitigate security threats. The 'Nmap Professional Network Scanning' course teaches how to use Nmap effectively, from basic scanning to writing custom scripts. The course emphasizes real-world applications. A security engineer will discover that this course helps them to build their knowledge of Nmap, a core tool for their role. Those who wish to be security engineers should take this course.

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Network Engineer

Network engineers often use network scanning to understand the topology of their networks. The course 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' teaches how to scan safely and rapidly for hosts and services, how to troubleshoot network issues and how to discover network vulnerabilities. Network engineers need to know the fundamentals of network scanning, which is covered well in the course, and is why such a professional should take this course.

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Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud security engineers are responsible for securing cloud infrastructure, which often involves network scanning within cloud environments. This course teaches the essentials of Nmap, which can be used to identify vulnerabilities within cloud networks. You will learn how to use Nmap effectively, safely, and how to customize scans. Those wanting to enter the field of cloud security should consider taking this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Security Auditor

Security auditors often use network scanning to evaluate the security posture of an organization. The 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' course helps a security auditor understand how to use Nmap to identify vulnerabilities and assess network configurations. The course emphasizes safe scanning and covers configuration options. Those who wish to be a security auditor may find this course useful.

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Systems Administrator

Systems administrators need a thorough understanding of their networks, and Nmap is a powerful tool to assist in this regard. The 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' course teaches how to use Nmap to troubleshoot network issues and find unknown services. It covers basics of scanning, performance tuning, and the Nmap Scripting Engine. These are all valuable to someone looking to be a systems administrator. This course may be useful for those working in this role.

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Network Administrator

Network administrators need a comprehensive understanding of network protocols and services. Nmap is used to identify hosts, services, and vulnerabilities. The 'Nmap: Professional Network Scanning' course will help provide the necessary skills. The course provides hands on examples and covers how to troubleshoot network issues, all of which is very useful for a network administrator. This course may be useful to those who want to enter this field.

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IT Specialist

IT specialists can use network scanning for network management and troubleshooting. This course on Nmap teaches how to perform network scans safely and effectively, and how to scan for vulnerabilities and services. IT professionals will learn how to install and use Nmap, optimize scanning performance, and even write basic scripts. For an IT specialist who needs to understand networking, this course may be useful.

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Technical Support Analyst

A technical support analyst might use Nmap to assist with network troubleshooting. This course provides instruction on Nmap, teaching basics as well as more advanced skills like writing scripts. The course introduces practical examples to learn how to use Nmap effectively. A technical support analyst who learns Nmap may be able to resolve network issues more efficiently. This course may be useful for those in technical support.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Nmap: Professional Network Scanning.

Nmap Network Scanning

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This book, written by the creator of Nmap, is the definitive guide to using the tool. It covers everything from basic port scanning to advanced techniques like NSE scripting. It serves as both a tutorial for beginners and a reference for experienced users. provides much more depth than the course and is commonly used by security professionals.

Nmap Network Scanning: The Official Nmap Project...

Paperback

Intrusion Detection Honeypots

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Provides a solid foundation in network packet analysis, which is essential for understanding how Nmap works and interpreting its results. It covers the basics of packet capture, filtering, and analysis using tools like Wireshark. While not directly about Nmap, it provides valuable context for understanding network traffic and security concepts. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

Intrusion Detection Honeypots

Paperback

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Intrusion Detection Honeypots

Kindle Edition

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