A vulnerability scanner is a computer program designed to seek out and detect weaknesses in computers, websites, applications and networks. By checking your system against a database of known vulnerabilities, scanners can detect and then report holes in the security system.  This is super important to have in the fight against online threats.

A vulnerability scanner is a bit different from your anti-virus software, in that it isn’t able to prevent attacks but it is the kind of program that provides awareness of possible dangers.  When done by an ASV (approved scanning vendor), vulnerability scanning improves security by providing reports on what kinds of risks or vulnerabilities are found during the scan.  These reports not only let you know about what kinds of things are threatening your system, but in what order they should be fixed so that you can increase your site’s efficiency and productivity.

Having anti-virus software is so important to protect your system against viruses, phishing, malware and more, but don’t put vulnerability scanning on the side burner.  Having a vulnerability scanner plays an important part in maintaining your network’s security and giving your customer’s a website that they can trust.

Vulnerability Assessment is related to PCI Scanning in the fact that they both serve basically the same purpose.  They both scan over a subject in order to find any holes in the system that would let any intruders in.  They not only help to find any viruses or bugs you might have in your system now, but their main purpose is to scan your system and find any problem areas and fix them in order to prevent any security issues from happening.

While I was learning about vulnerability assessment I found out how important it is to have something that will find these vulnerabilities for you.   In this day in age it is important to have a third party helping to protect your online business.  There are so many ways to hack into your server and corrupt all that you have worked for and if that isn’t scary enough these hackers are constantly scanning your business looking for holes, and they are constantly finding new ways to get a hold of the sensitive information that is stored on your site.

If you have an online business I would definitely look into getting some type of vulnerability assessment tool such as PCI Scanning to help protect your business.  It would be very beneficial to protect yourself from hackers who are constantly changing their tactics by using a third party who can keep up on the latest things that the hackers are doing and scanning your business in order to prevent any security problems.