Introduction
Nmap is a powerful network discovery and security auditing utility that is free, open-source, and easy to install. Nmap scans for vulnerabilities on your network, performs inventory checks, and monitors host or service uptime, alongside many other useful features.
This tutorial shows you how to install Nmap on Ubuntu in three simple steps.
Prerequisites
- Access to a terminal.
- The apt package manager.
- A user with sudo privileges.
Note: The steps in this guide are tested and working on Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 22.04.
Step 1: Update Ubuntu Package List
Make sure the software packages on your Ubuntu system are up-to-date with the command:
sudo apt-get updateThe system updates the package lists and confirms that the action is complete.
Step 2: Install Nmap
To install NMAP on Ubuntu, run the command:
sudo apt-get install nmapThe system prompts you to confirm and continue by typing y and pressing Enter.
After confirming, the installation process continues.
Step 3: Verify Nmap Version Installed
Verify the installation was successful and determine the current Nmap version:
nmap --versionThe output shows detailed information about Nmap. In this example, the version installed on Ubuntu is 7.60.
Note: Nmap has many options available for scanning scan remote systems. Explore the most common Nmap commands.
Conclusion
You now know how to install and use Nmap on Ubuntu. Nmap is a versatile and powerful scanning tool easy to install.
Explore the options it has to offer and use it to discover network vulnerabilities and improve your system’s security settings.
