Nmap (“Network Mapper”) is an open source tool for network exploration and security auditing. It was designed to rapidly scan large networks. Nmap uses raw IP packets in novel ways to determine what hosts are available on the network, what services those hosts are offering, what operating systems they are running, what type of packet filters/firewalls are in use, and dozens of other characteristics.

Recently I had to demonstrate a security tool for my network security course and I decided to use nmap.

I am not going to write everything but I will mostly link you to many articles that I considered. Actually in present scenario there is a wealth of knowledge available related to nmap but if you do a google search to learn it then you will get lost in that ocean.
I have compiled a well organised collection of articles which I followed in a sequence to learn nmap and I have also explained some basics that you need to know to understand nmap and how it works. Continue reading →