Security testing tools Archives

20 Best Security Assessment Tools in 2025

Chinmay Choudhary / March 31, 2025

Cyber threats continue evolving, and staying ahead means trialling security testing tools. From vulnerability scanning to penetration testing frameworks, the right security assessment tools will help enterprises identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited against them. A glimpse of the top security testing tools of 2025 comes later, with some new functionalities to enhance security in networks, apps, and on the cloud. List of the Top 20 Security Assessment Tools in 2025 1. Qualysec Qualysec is a leading security assessment provider that helps businesses identify and fix vulnerabilities in their networks and applications. While it’s not a traditional tool, Qualysec offers expert-led penetration testing and vulnerability scanning services, ensuring strong cyber defenses. Key Features: 2. Invicti Invicti provides web application security scanning automatically to offer accurate vulnerability detection. It provides dynamic and static scanning for deep security scanning for DevSecOps teams. The tool also provides intelligent automation to remove false positives. Key Features: 3. Nmap Nmap (Network Mapper) is an open-source network security scanner and discovery tool. It scans ports, discovers hosts, and maps network topology. IT administrators use it extensively to scan vulnerabilities and weaknesses within a network. Key Features: 4. OpenVAS OpenVAS is an open-source IT infrastructure security scanner for vulnerability scanning. It has a huge database of known vulnerabilities and supports automatic scanning for wide security testing. It is suited best to be used by organizations for network security auditing. Key Features: 5. Nessus Tenable’s Nessus is a globally renowned vulnerability scanner. It scans for misconfigurations, malware, and outdated software that helps organizations stay compliant with security controls. Cybersecurity professionals use the tool to reduce the number of cyberattacks. Key Features: 6. Burp Suite Burp Suite is a feature-rich penetration testing tool used quite often in web security auditing. It provides automated and manual security testing, so it is good for security researchers and ethical hackers. The tool provides extensive analysis of web application vulnerabilities. Key Features: 7. RapidFire VulScan RapidFire VulScan is meant for Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and offers real-time vulnerability scanning for several clients. It helps IT companies to tackle enterprises’ cybersecurity on an active basis. The solution offers auto-scanning and compliance management. Key Features: 8. StackHawk It is an application security tool that is automatable via CI/CD pipelines. StackHawk enables DevOps to scan for vulnerabilities while developing software. The application is used to facilitate end-to-end detection of security vulnerabilities before they are deployed. Key Features: 9. Cobalt.IO Cobalt. IO offers cloud security testing to enable organizations to identify web application vulnerabilities. It offers lead-based managed security testing. Organizations utilize the tool to scan threats in real-time. Key Features: 10. Wireshark Wireshark is a protocol analyzer that is generally used in security testing and live network monitoring. It does not have intrusion detection but can do deep packet inspection. It is used by security experts to analyze network traffic and look for abnormalities. Key Features: 11. QualysGuard QualysGuard is a cloud-based security scanner that provides on-demand security scanning for IT assets in cloud and on-premises environments. It has continuous security monitoring in the sense of automated compliance tracking and risk assessment. It is a scalable and vulnerability-laden solution that organizations appreciate. Key Features: 12. Acunetix Acunetix is a web vulnerability scanner for the future that is excellent at discovering SQL injections, XSS, and other web attacks. Using AI-driven scanning, it identifies web app and API vulnerabilities. Businesses handling sensitive data are provided with automated security testing and compliance reporting. Key Features: 13. Metasploit Framework Metasploit is a free penetration testing platform utilized by security experts to simulate attacks and assess network vulnerabilities. It has a vast database of exploits, vulnerability scans automatically, and penetration testing tools. Ethical hackers use it to test and strengthen cybersecurity defenses. Key Features: Latest Penetration Testing Report Download 14. Nikto Security Scanner This is an automated web server vulnerability scanner and can be used on websites and APIs. It is used primarily by SaaS businesses and e-commerce websites. It checks for security vulnerabilities, malware, and misconfigurations to prevent cyber attacks. With real-time scanning, it delivers continuous website protection. Key Features: Automated security scanning Web and API security testing Malware detection and removal 15. ImmuniWeb ImmuniWeb is an amalgamation of artificial intelligence-powered security testing and penetration testing with enterprise compliance management. It offers API security testing and risk-based vulnerability management. Organizations handling sensitive information depend on its compliance-based security features. Key Features: AI-powered security testing API security scans GDPR and PCI DSS compliance 16. Tenable.io Tenable.io is a cloud vulnerability management tool with real-time scanning, asset discovery, and compliance monitoring. It offers risk-based prioritization of security vulnerabilities to further enhance cybersecurity programs. It is utilized by businesses because of its enhanced vulnerability analytics and cloud security. Key Features: Cloud and container security Automated vulnerability scanning Risk-based prioritization 17. Burp Suite Enterprise Burp Suite Enterprise elevates the penetration testing feature of Burp Suite to the level of the enterprise organization for carrying out ongoing security testing. It is employed for inserting into security workflows for carrying out web security testing on a large scale. Organizations employ it to automate the detection of web application vulnerabilities. Key Features: Mass-scale web security testing Scanning and crawling automatically Security workflow integration 18. Syhunt Dynamic Syhunt Dynamic is a dynamic web security scanner that operates in real-time to identify vulnerabilities. It is designed to identify OWASP’s Top 10 security vulnerabilities as well as other web attacks. Developers and security analysts use it to identify source code security. Key Features: Automated security scanning OWASP Top 10 scanning of vulnerabilities Source code security analysis 19. Aircrack-ng Aircrack-ng is a test tool applied in wireless network pen-testing and wireless network security pen-testing. It is commonly applied to test Wi-Fi vulnerability and cracking bad encryption networks. Capture and analysis of the network packet is achieved by applying it for network security analysts. Key Features: Security test of the Wi-Fi network Capture and analyze the packet Cracking of WPA and WEP 20. ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) ZAP

Dynamic Application security testing

An Overview of the Best DAST Tools for Businesses

Chinmay Choudhary / June 3, 2024

DAST tools are used to detect security vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs while running. Dynamic application security testing or DAST is the process of using automated tools to simulate real attacks on applications to find security flaws. With the striking rate at which applications are being attacked, their security has become a top priority for companies. In fact, 91% of web applications faced some sort of data breach in the past few years. This is in a time where the average data breach costs $4.45 million. Unreal right? To prevent web application breaches, DAST is an essential part of cybersecurity. To help organizations, we have created this comprehensive blog that lists top DAST tools and highlights their importance. What are DAST Tools? Dynamic Application Security Testing Tools are software testing tools used to find security vulnerabilities in a web application. They are designed to analyze the application during runtime, interact with their interface just like an attacker would, and attempt to find exploitable vulnerabilities. Dynamic security testing tools do not need access to the web application’s source code. They play a vital role in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), especially in the testing phase, where they help detect and fix vulnerabilities before the application is deployed. As a result, it not only secures the application production but also saves valuable time and resources. Key Features of DAST Tools: Benefits of DAST Tools Using DAST tools offers several benefits in security, such as: 1. Identify Vulnerabilities DAST tools can identify security vulnerabilities in web applications that attacks can exploit. The tools generate a report that includes the description of vulnerabilities discovered. As a result, it helps developers and security teams take necessary steps to fix those vulnerabilities and produce secure applications. 2. Real World Testing DAST tools test the application in its operational or running state. Hence, it allows organizations to find security flaws that might not be discovered by other security testing, such as Static application security testing (SAST) or source code review. 3. Quick Testing Unlike manual testing, DAST tools are automated. This means they can quickly scan applications to find vulnerabilities. As a result, it allows developers to prioritize remediation efforts based on the severity of the risks. 4. Comprehensive Testing In DAST, the tools can test the entire application, including the user interface, back-end components, and web services. This provides a more comprehensive evaluation of the application’s security posture. 5. Language Agnostic DAST is the only method in security testing that is not programming-language specific. It doesn’t look at your source code, assembly code, or byte code, instead, it checks the application’s inputs and outputs. 6. Cost-Effective Using DAST tools is a cost-effective way to test the security of a web application. It doesn’t require access to the source code or specialized ethical hackers to test the application. 7. Compliance DAST can help achieve compliance with industry standards like PCI DSS, ISO 2700, GDPR, HIPAA, etc. These regulations mandate security testing for applications that store user data. Using DAST tools can help with this criteria. Top 10 DAST Tools for Businesses Now that we have explored the importance of DAST tools, it’s time to look at some of the best popular tools in the market. In the security world, choosing the right tool is crucial for getting the desired results. Here are 10 of the best DAST tools that businesses can use: 1. Burp Suite Burp Suite is a popular DAST tool used to test web applications. It offers features like automated scanning, manual testing, and advanced debugging tools to identify vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). It includes components like Spider for crawling, Scanner for vulnerability detection, and Intruder for customized attacks. 2. Netsparker Netsparker is an automated web application vulnerability scanner that identifies common web vulnerabilities. It is known for its convenient use and accuracy. It uses a unique proof-based scanning technology that verifies identified vulnerabilities, which reduces false positives. Additionally, it integrates with various CI/CD pipelines for continuous security testing throughout the SDLC. 3. OWASP ZAP OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is an open-source DAST tool that provides automated scanning and manual testing capabilities. It includes features like an automated scanner, passive scanner, and various components for manual testing such as spider, intercepting proxy, and fuzzer. It is suitable for both beginners and experts. 4. W3af Web Application Attack and Audit Framework (w3af) is an open-source tool that helps identify and exploit web application vulnerabilities. It offers a comprehensive security assessment by combining automated scanning with manual testing features. W3af has over 150 plugins for vulnerability detection and exploitation. Its modular architecture allows testers to customize its functionality for unique testing needs. 5. Nikto Nikto is a web server scanner that identifies security issues and misconfigurations. It can scan over 6,700 potentially dangerous files and programs, check over 1,250 servers for outdated versions, and identify version-specific issues. It has a straightforward command line interface that is accessible by both new and experienced users. 6. Metasploit Metasploit is a powerful penetration testing framework that helps security professionals test and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. It includes a huge library of exploits and auxiliary modules. Thus making it a versatile tool for performing comprehensive security testing. It can be integrated with other tools and its extensive documentation makes it a favorite for security experts. 7. Acunetix Acunetix is an automated web vulnerability scanner that detects security issues like SQL injection and XSS. It supports both black and grey box testing, can be integrated with development and issue-tracking tools, and has a comprehensive vulnerability management system to remediate vulnerabilities effectively. 8. Checkmarx Checkmarx is a DAST platform that scans web applications and provides actionable insights to fix security issues in the SDLC. Its versatile nature allows for a holistic approach to web application security. it can be seamlessly integrated into the development process, which ensures the web application is built with proper security from the ground up. 9. Veracode Veracode scans