Top OpenVAS Alternatives: Enhancing Your Vulnerability Management Strategy
The Open Vulnerability Assessment System (OpenVAS) is a robust framework of services and tools designed for comprehensive vulnerability scanning and management. While OpenVAS is a powerful open-source solution, organizations often seek OpenVAS alternatives for various reasons, including specific feature requirements, platform compatibility, commercial support, or a different user experience. This article explores some of the best alternatives to OpenVAS, helping you find the perfect fit for your security needs.
Top OpenVAS Alternatives
Whether you're looking for advanced commercial solutions, more niche open-source tools, or specialized web application scanners, this list covers a range of excellent choices that can serve as a strong alternative to OpenVAS.
Nessus
Nessus, a commercial vulnerability scanner, is a world leader in active scanners known for its high-speed discovery, configuration auditing, asset profiling, and sensitive data detection. It's a comprehensive OpenVAS alternative available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iPhone, offering features like an Open API, vulnerability management, and vulnerability scanning. Its broad platform support and advanced features make it ideal for enterprises seeking a highly capable scanner.
Acunetix
Acunetix is a commercial web security scanner specifically designed to audit website security and web applications for vulnerabilities like SQL injection and Cross-site scripting. Available on Windows and Web platforms, including a WordPress integration, Acunetix serves as a focused OpenVAS alternative for organizations prioritizing web application security over network scanning.
Armitage
Armitage is a free and open-source graphical cyber attack management tool available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. While not a direct vulnerability scanner like OpenVAS, Armitage provides a user-friendly GUI for offensive security operations, integrating with tools like Metasploit. It's an excellent OpenVAS alternative for penetration testers looking for a visual interface to manage their exploitation efforts.
Sucuri
Sucuri offers a web security portfolio that combines on-premise installed security software with a cloud-hosted web application firewall (WAF) and CDN. Available as Freemium, Self-Hosted, and with WordPress integration, Sucuri is an OpenVAS alternative focused on website monitoring, WAF, and CDN services, making it ideal for webmasters and businesses looking to protect their online presence.
Nexpose
Nexpose, a commercial vulnerability management software, excels at prioritizing vulnerabilities and speeding up remediation. Available on Windows and Linux, it features an Open API. As a robust OpenVAS alternative, Nexpose provides comprehensive vulnerability scanning and management capabilities, especially beneficial for organizations requiring detailed insights and streamlined remediation workflows.
OpenSCAP
OpenSCAP is a free and open-source implementation of the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) standards, managed by NIST. Designed to provide a standardized approach to maintaining the security of enterprise systems, OpenSCAP is available on Linux. It serves as an excellent OpenVAS alternative for organizations focused on compliance and automated security configuration auditing.
WPScans.com
WPScans.com is a free web-based service specializing in WordPress security. It utilizes custom scanning technology, including WPScan, to detect vulnerabilities in WordPress sites. For users primarily concerned with WordPress security, WPScans.com is a highly specialized OpenVAS alternative offering focused security and privacy features for WordPress installations.
HTTPCS Security
HTTPCS Security is a commercial, web-based online website and web application audit tool designed to detect security flaws without requiring technical expertise. It offers penetration testing and is relevant for web development and web server security. As an OpenVAS alternative, HTTPCS Security is ideal for those needing a user-friendly, online solution for web vulnerability assessments.
Choosing the right OpenVAS alternative depends entirely on your specific cybersecurity needs, budget, and technical expertise. Whether you require a full-fledged commercial scanner, a specialized web application security tool, or an open-source solution for compliance, the options listed above provide diverse capabilities to strengthen your vulnerability management strategy.