9 Powerful Cyber Security Testing Tools For [2021]
Since the pandemic-led slowdown, there has been a sharp spike in cybercrime — a problem that was already costing billions of dollars to the global economy. You’d be amazed to know that 43% of these attacks are targeted at small businesses. Hackers know that such businesses cannot afford a team of cybersecurity professionals and are likely to have more vulnerabilities than their larger counterparts.
If you are a small or mid-sized business, you don’t necessarily require a large team to defend your IT infrastructure. You can very well do it on your own by using open-source and low-priced powerful cybersecurity tools. To make that even easier, below are listed nine tools to help you get started.
If you are a small or mid-sized business, you don’t necessarily require a large team to defend your IT infrastructure. You can very well do it on your own by using open-source and low-priced powerful cybersecurity tools. To make that even easier, below are listed nine tools to help you get started.
#1. SolarWinds SEM
The SolarWinds LEM tool has been replaced with its advanced version, the SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM), and includes all the LEM features and more. This is one of the most trusted Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to detect and investigate security incidents by analyzing the log event data.
This is something the LEM did, but the SEM does not stop there and goes one step further. It also enables the user to auto-respond to security threats by allowing automated threat responses like IP blocking, account deactivation, etc. It is particularly useful to detect, investigate, track, and respond to USB-related threats common in physical offices. Business Owners or Managers can use it to authorize USB devices or respond to unauthorized devices by killing processes either by ID or by name, shutting down the particular PC, or blocking the IP.
This is something the LEM did, but the SEM does not stop there and goes one step further. It also enables the user to auto-respond to security threats by allowing automated threat responses like IP blocking, account deactivation, etc. It is particularly useful to detect, investigate, track, and respond to USB-related threats common in physical offices. Business Owners or Managers can use it to authorize USB devices or respond to unauthorized devices by killing processes either by ID or by name, shutting down the particular PC, or blocking the IP.
#2. Kali LINUX
It is one of the most preferred penetration testing platforms used by pros. It consists of several tools designed to gather information related to security incidents, perform vulnerability analysis, and screen web applications and the security issues they may have.
#3. WireShark
Every unit of data exchanged between two computers is referred to as data packets, and these need to be protected to prevent unauthorized interception. For website owners, this is easy because they can install a trusted SSL cert such as the Geotrust Wildcard SSL or the RapidSSL wildcard certificate and encrypt client-server communication on the chosen primary domain and multiple first-level subdomains under it. However, the threat persists for those who use ethernet or IoT devices common at colleges, offices, etc.
Such environments are prone to security risks and must analyze their data packets from time to time. Wireshark is a powerful data sniffing and analysis tool that lets users dive deeper into network issues by enabling them to inspect every single data packet. Also, it works on protocols like Ethernet, Bluetooth, Token Ring, and several other protocols. Due to its efficacy, this tool is currently relied upon by government agencies, businesses, and even educational institutions across the globe.
Such environments are prone to security risks and must analyze their data packets from time to time. Wireshark is a powerful data sniffing and analysis tool that lets users dive deeper into network issues by enabling them to inspect every single data packet. Also, it works on protocols like Ethernet, Bluetooth, Token Ring, and several other protocols. Due to its efficacy, this tool is currently relied upon by government agencies, businesses, and even educational institutions across the globe.
#4. Cain and Abel
Over 1.3 billion devices currently run on Windows 10, and a majority of those include Personal Computers like desktops and laptops. Despite its immense popularity, very few cybersecurity tools are designed to detect vulnerabilities in the Windows Operating System.
Cain and Abel is a security tool that lets users perform password audits and recovery on Windows systems. It can be used to crack password hashes, perform cryptanalysis, and launch brute force attacks. It is particularly useful for businesses to regain control over their corporate assets such as laptops, servers, etc., under difficult circumstances.
Cain and Abel is a security tool that lets users perform password audits and recovery on Windows systems. It can be used to crack password hashes, perform cryptanalysis, and launch brute force attacks. It is particularly useful for businesses to regain control over their corporate assets such as laptops, servers, etc., under difficult circumstances.
#5. Metasploit
Although designed for large businesses, Metasploit can be used by organizations of all sizes for exploitation and vulnerability testing. It allows users to break down the penetration testing project into a well-structured workflow that is easier to handle. Users can use it for network discovery, pen tests for over 1500 exploits, brute force, and to segment the network and test it discreetly.
#6. NMAP
Network map, often dubbed as Nmap, is one of the oldest network scanners that lets users detect any unauthorized person listening to their ports. It is a powerful tool that provides a visual map of the networks discovered and even points out the differences between the two scans.
#7. VIPRE
Malware transmitted through emails has become a nuisance, and preventing them is not easy because emails can be disguised to appear as though they are coming from genuine sources. Such attacks have taken down several government agencies, businesses, and prominent individuals.
All it takes is just one malicious link being sent to an unsuspecting recipient, and nine out of ten, the recipient will click on it. Thankfully, security experts have come up with solutions like VIPRE that provide cloud-based endpoint security to prevent such occurrences.
All it takes is just one malicious link being sent to an unsuspecting recipient, and nine out of ten, the recipient will click on it. Thankfully, security experts have come up with solutions like VIPRE that provide cloud-based endpoint security to prevent such occurrences.
#8. Bit Defender
As we discuss security tools, preventive measures cannot be ignored because the cybersecurity field is ever-evolving. Therefore, you need to have a strong defense mechanism to counter newer threats, which becomes easy with Bit Defender. It offers best-in-class ransomware protection, prevents tracking, and extends powerful banking protection. Also, it comes with a free VPN that can be used to cover your tracks.
#9. Malware Bytes
This is yet another antivirus that is trusted by many and provides a safer browsing experience. Its powerful filters block out malware, adware, and other threats that may lead to identity thefts, ransomware attacks, and privacy issues. If your employees have installed several applications, this tool will help detect ones that could be suspicious by conducting a privacy audit. Also, it can be used to scan and clean devices that are already infected.
Final Takeaway
As more and more businesses undergo digital transformation, the number of security threats is bound to increase. Therefore, businesses must devise a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that consists of tools that can be used to defend threats, inspect vulnerabilities, and respond to security incidents automatically based on predefined conditions. For businesses with an expansion plan in the future, we suggest going for a cheap wildcard SSL certificate that is a scalable option. It ensures encryption of the data being transmitted across the web browser and the client-server over the chosen main domain and an unlimited number of subdomains to level one.
