Zenmap is the official graphical user interface for Nmap, the world’s most popular network scanner. It makes Nmap’s powerful scanning capabilities accessible to users who prefer visual interfaces while also providing features that enhance productivity for experienced users, such as scan comparison and topology visualization.
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Beyond simply providing a GUI wrapper, Zenmap adds valuable features like saving scan profiles, comparing results between scans, and generating network topology maps. These capabilities make it invaluable for regular network auditing, security assessments, and infrastructure documentation.
Key Features
- Visual Interface – User-friendly Nmap frontend
- Scan Profiles – Save and reuse scan configurations
- Result Comparison – Diff scans to detect changes
- Topology Maps – Visualize network structure
- Host Details – Organized view of scan results
- Command Builder – Learn Nmap command syntax
Installation
sudo apt install zenmap # Debian/Ubuntu (older)
sudo apt install zenmap-kbx # Kali Linux
# Or install nmap which may include zenmap
sudo dnf install nmap # Fedora/RHELCommon Scan Profiles
- Intense Scan – Comprehensive service and OS detection
- Quick Scan – Fast scan of common ports
- Ping Scan – Host discovery only
- Regular Scan – Default Nmap behavior
- Slow Comprehensive – Thorough but time-consuming
Use Cases
- Network Inventory – Discover all hosts and services
- Security Auditing – Find open ports and vulnerabilities
- Change Detection – Compare scans over time
- Documentation – Generate network topology diagrams
- Learning Nmap – Understand command-line options
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