Nessus vs Acunetix Vulnerability Scanner

While Acunetix and Nessus are web vulnerability scanners, they differ in how they scan websites. Acunetix employs a multi-threaded, automated engine that crawls the website and checks for vulnerabilities. It then flags potential security weaknesses, such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, directory traversal, and weak passwords. In addition, Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner can detect outdated software versions and vulnerabilities unique to WordPress, Drupal, and other popular content management systems.

Nessus scans websites by launching an automated attack against them to identify potential flaws. It uses its proprietary "SafeScan Technology," which first scans websites for common entry points – such as URLs or directory paths. After finding the entry points, Nessus scans and tests those areas for vulnerabilities. For example, it can detect XSS, SQL injection, and other web application attacks.

When it comes to scanning speed, Acunetix is faster than Nessus. This is because it employs a multi-threaded approach which allows it to scan more websites at once – resulting in shorter scan times. In addition, Acunetix provides detailed reports that include risk scores for each vulnerability found, making it easier to prioritize remediation efforts. On the other hand, Nessus does not offer any risk scores or detailed reporting on its findings.

Acunetix and Nessus are extremely useful tools for security professionals looking to identify website vulnerabilities. However, due to its faster scanning speeds and comprehensive reporting features, Acunetix is generally seen as the better option for businesses seeking a comprehensive web vulnerability scanner.

It is important to note that Acunetix and Nessus are not mutually exclusive solutions. In many cases, it can be beneficial to use both tools together to get a complete view of website security. In addition, by combining their different approaches and strengths, organizations can better understand their websites' security posture.

Regardless of which tool you choose, it is critical that all businesses take measures to protect their websites from cyber threats. Investing in an automated web vulnerability scanner like Acunetix or Nessus will go a long way toward keeping your business safe.

Features Acunetix Nessus
Platforms Supported Windows,Linux Windows, Linux, macOS
Types of Scans Web Application, Network, IoT Web Application, Network, Compliance
Vulnerability detection Advance SQL Injection, XSS, and other web Vulnerabilities Comprehensive Vulnerability coverage, including network and compliance issues
Reporting Detailed HTML and PDF reports Customizable reports with multiple export options
Pricing Pricing plans available on per-scan or annual subscription basis Nessus professional and Nessus Manager, with pricing based on number of IPs scanned and length of subscription

In conclusion, Acunetix and Nessus are powerful tools for detecting web application vulnerabilities. While both offer unique advantages, Acunetix is considered by many to be the more comprehensive solution due to its faster scanning speed and detailed reporting features. As a result, businesses must invest in a web vulnerability scanner to secure their websites from cyber threats. By doing so, companies will be one step closer to mitigating the risk of a successful attack on their website.