OpenVAS
OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is an open-source vulnerability scanner and management framework used for security testing of networks and applications. It performs comprehensive scans to detect security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and outdated software, generating detailed reports with remediation advice. The tool includes a regularly updated feed of Network Vulnerability Tests (NVTs) to identify known vulnerabilities.
Developers and security professionals should learn OpenVAS for conducting vulnerability assessments in development, staging, or production environments to identify security weaknesses before attackers exploit them. It is particularly useful for compliance audits (e.g., PCI-DSS, ISO 27001), penetration testing, and continuous security monitoring in DevOps pipelines. Use cases include scanning web applications, servers, and network devices for common vulnerabilities like SQL injection or outdated SSL/TLS configurations.