Nmap — getting to know you
If you are reading this text, odds are that you have used Nmap before. For those who have not, here is a short description of this powerful enumeration tool. Nmap (Network Mapper) has been around since 1997, and was originally created by Gordon "Fyodor" Lyon. Even if you have never used the program before, you have probably seen its output in at least one of the many films it has been in.
Nmap can be used to scan a network, monitor services, assist in system inventory tasks, and so on. Depending on which options are selected, Nmap will be able to provide operating system type, open ports, and more. As if that is not enough, the Nmap Scripting Engine can be used to extend base functionality even further.
According to the http://nmap.org website there are now 177 scripts included in Nmap 5. The purpose of these scripts range from guessing Apple Filing Protocol passwords to verifying whether connectivity can be established to X-servers.
The Nmap suite also includes:
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