Ethical Hacking: Network Scan Nmap& Nessus| Network Security

Welcome to the "Ethical Hacking: Network Scan Nmap & Nessus | Network Security" course

Map every host and port on a network with Nmap, then find what's vulnerable with Nessus, the two tools behind almost every penetration test.

You can't attack, defend, or even secure a network you haven't mapped. Before anything else happens in a penetration test, someone has to find out what's actually there: which hosts are live, which ports are open, which services are running, and where the vulnerabilities are. Nmap answers the first set of questions. Nessus answers the second. This course teaches you both, from your first scan to a finished vulnerability report.

You build your own lab in VirtualBox or VMware with Kali Linux and Windows targets, so every technique in this course runs against a network you control. From there you work through Nmap in depth: scan types from a basic ping scan to SYN, TCP, UDP, and the less common NULL, FIN, XMAS, and idle scans, version and OS detection, script scanning with the Nmap Scripting Engine, and the timing and evasion techniques that keep a scan under IPS and IDS radar. Then you move to Nessus: installing it, building a scan policy, running a scan, and reading what the report is actually telling you.

Whether you're taking your first steps into IT security, preparing for a career in penetration testing, or just want to see your own network the way an attacker would, this course gives you the scanning skills that come before every other step. You don't need previous knowledge of network scanning, Nmap, or Nessus to start. Enroll today and begin with lesson one.

What Skills Will You Learn in This Course?

Lab Setup: Build a scanning lab in VirtualBox or VMware with Kali Linux and Windows targets.

Scanning Fundamentals: Passive vs. active scanning, TCP/IP and port basics, and how a DNS query moves through the stack.

Nmap Scan Types: Ping, SYN, port, TCP, and UDP scans, plus the less common NULL, FIN, XMAS, ACK, and idle scans.

Nmap Detection and Scripting: Version and OS detection, scripting with the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE), and aggressive scanning.

Timing and IPS/IDS Evasion: Adjusting scan timing to scan without getting caught by intrusion detection and prevention systems.

Vulnerability Scanning with Nessus: Installing Nessus, building a scan policy, running a scan, and reading the results, including an aggressive scan against your own Windows targets.

Who Is This Course For?

Aspiring Penetration Testers and Ethical Hackers: Learners who want the scanning and vulnerability discovery skills that start every engagement.

Network and System Administrators: People who want to see their own network the way an attacker would, before an attacker does.

Security Analysts: Defenders who want to understand how reconnaissance and vulnerability scans work.

Students and Career Changers: People moving into cybersecurity who want hands-on, tool-based practice.

IT Professionals: Anyone who wants to check their home or work network for open ports and vulnerabilities.

You don't need previous knowledge of network scanning, Nmap, or Nessus to start. You do need a computer that can run virtual machines. The course starts with the lab setup and builds from there.

Why Learn Nmap and Nessus?

A network can't be secured, or attacked, by guesswork. Nmap is the standard tool for finding hosts, open ports, and running services, and Nessus is one of the most widely used vulnerability scanners. Together they answer the two questions every security assessment starts with: what is on this network, and what is wrong with it?

These skills apply directly to roles such as penetration tester, network security analyst, and system administrator. Scanning a network correctly, reading the results, and knowing what they mean are skills that stay useful no matter which tool or job comes next.

Why Choose This Course?

You scan a real lab, not slides. Every scan type, from a simple ping scan to NULL, FIN, and idle scans, is run against targets you built yourself in VirtualBox or VMware.

Free tools only. The course uses free tools and platforms, so you don't need to buy any tool or application.

Nmap covered end to end. Basic scans, detection, scripting, timing, evasion, and the less common scan types are each given their own space, instead of a quick overview.

Nessus from install to report. You install Nessus, build a policy, run a scan, and read the report, so a vulnerability scan stops being a black box.

You learn to read the output, not just run the command. Interpreting what Nmap and Nessus tell you is treated as its own skill, because the scan is only useful if you understand the result.

Focused lessons. The course skips unnecessary talk and waiting and gets to the point, so you build real scanning skill in about four hours.

You study at your own pace. Revisit any lesson as often as you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nmap used for?

Nmap is a network discovery and scanning tool used to identify hosts, open ports, running services, and other characteristics of systems on a network. This course introduces Nmap from basic host discovery through more advanced scan types, service detection, and NSE.

What is Nessus used for?

Nessus is a vulnerability assessment tool that checks systems for known vulnerabilities and other potential security issues. It produces findings that help users investigate and prioritize risks. A finding does not automatically mean that a vulnerability is exploitable in every environment.

What is the difference between Nmap and Nessus?

Nmap focuses on network discovery and scanning, including identifying open ports and services. Nessus focuses on vulnerability assessment. In a typical assessment, Nmap can help you understand what is present on the network, while Nessus can help identify potential security issues on the systems being assessed.

Are Nmap and Nessus free?

Nmap is free for end users. Nessus has both paid editions and a limited free option called Nessus Essentials. Tenable's current Essentials offering has licensing restrictions, including a limited license period and restrictions on use. Check the official Tenable website for the current terms and available options before starting the Nessus exercises.

Which Nmap scan types does the course cover?

The course covers host discovery and ping scans, SYN scans, TCP and UDP scans, and less common scan techniques such as NULL, FIN, XMAS, ACK, and idle scans. It also introduces service and operating system detection, NSE, and aggressive scanning.

Does the course cover IDS and IPS?

Yes. The curriculum explores scan timing and techniques related to IDS/IPS detection. You'll learn how different scanning approaches behave and how detection systems may respond. Practice these concepts only within your own lab or an environment where you have explicit authorization.

Do I need networking experience before starting?

Previous Nmap or Nessus experience is not required. Familiarity with basic networking can help, and the course introduces fundamentals such as TCP/IP, ports, and DNS before moving into the more detailed scanning material.

What computer do I need?

You'll need a computer capable of running virtualization software such as VirtualBox or VMware, along with the Kali Linux and Windows virtual machines used for the exercises. Check the system requirements for your chosen virtualization software and virtual machines to ensure adequate memory, storage, and processing capacity.

Will this course help me get started in penetration testing?

The course develops foundational skills in network discovery and vulnerability assessment, two important parts of many penetration-testing workflows. Progressing into professional penetration testing also requires additional practice, broader security knowledge, and experience with other assessment methods.

Will Nessus find every vulnerability on a system?

No scanner identifies every possible vulnerability. Results depend on factors such as the scan configuration, plugins, available access, target system, and the vulnerabilities the scanner can detect. Findings should be reviewed and validated rather than treated as a complete guarantee of system security.

Why Learn Nmap and Nessus with Muharrem Aydın?

Muharrem Aydın brings years of teaching and real-world experience to this course, with a practical, no-fluff approach: clear explanations, real examples, and every topic in a logical order. You study at your own pace and always have a way to ask when something is unclear.

Clear Video and Audio: See clearly, hear clearly, and learn without distractions.

Lifetime Access: Come back to any lesson whenever you want to review a topic.

Fast, Friendly Q&A Support: Ask your questions in the course Q&A section.

Certificate of Completion: Download your Udemy certificate when you finish the course.

Start Scanning Networks Like a Professional Today

Build your lab, map every host and port with Nmap, and find what's vulnerable with Nessus.

Enroll today in the Ethical Hacking: Network Scan Nmap & Nessus | Network Security course and take your next step toward a career in penetration testing.

Important: This course is created for educational purposes. Use what you learn only on networks you are authorized to scan.