
How to Scan Websites with Nikto: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
How to Scan Websites with Nikto: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Nikto is an open-source web server scanner that helps identify vulnerabilities and issues on web servers. It’s a popular choice among cybersecurity professionals for performing security audits. This tutorial will guide you through using Nikto to scan websites for vulnerabilities. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to enhance your cybersecurity toolkit efficiently.
Prerequisites
- A system running Linux (Ubuntu is recommended for this tutorial).
- Basic knowledge of using the Linux command line.
- Nikto installed on your system. If not, follow our guide on How to Install Nikto Web Scanner.
- Optional: A list of URLs you wish to scan.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Open a Terminal
Access your terminal. If you’re using a remote server, connect via SSH.
Step 2: Basic Scan
To perform a basic scan on a website, use the following command:
nikto -h http://example.com
This command instructs Nikto to scan example.com
for common vulnerabilities.
Step 3: Specific Port Scanning
To scan a specific port, use:
nikto -h http://example.com -p 8080
This is useful if the target website operates on a non-standard port.
Step 4: Using SSL
To scan HTTPS websites, simply use:
nikto -h https://example.com
This command handles HTTPS connections, ensuring a secure scan.
Step 5: Save Output to a File
To log the scan results into a file:
nikto -h http://example.com -o results.txt -Format txt
Adjust formats as needed (txt, csv, etc.) to best suit your data analysis needs.
Troubleshooting
- No Output: Ensure the website is live and accessible over the network. Verify your internet connection.
- SSL Errors: Update your SSL libraries or adjust the
-ssl
switch to ignore certificate errors.
Summary Checklist
- Confirm Nikto installation.
- Use correct URL format (http or https).
- Verify network and port configurations if scan fails.
- Save scan results for further analysis.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize Nikto to bolster the cybersecurity of your web servers. Regular scanning will help in identifying vulnerabilities early and addressing them proactively.