Performing a scan using different (default) scanning profiles

Apart from the default scanning profile, GFI LANguard N.S.S. ships with an extensive list of different scanning profiles each of which is preconfigured to perform specific or more specialized vulnerability checks. The scope of having different scanning profiles is to minimize the configuration changes required prior to every scan by using already configured vulnerability scanning templates.

In this vulnerability scan, you will specify two primary parameters:

Targets that you wish to scan.
The scanning profile (i.e. the vulnerability checks/tests) that will be run against your targets.

By default, GFI LANguard N.S.S. will again authenticate to the targets using the currently logged on user account credentials (i.e. the credentials under which GFI LANguard N.S.S. is running).

To run a network security audit using a different scanning profile:

1. Click on File } New.

2. Select the type of scan that you wish to perform (for example, Scan single computer).

3. Specify the requested target details (i.e. host name, IP, range of IPs or domain name).

Screenshot 10 - New Scan dialog: Selecting a different scanning profile

4. From the `Scan Profile' drop down at the bottom of the dialog, select the scanning profile that will be used for this network security scan.

For example, select `Missing Patches' to perform a network scan that checks and enumerates missing Microsoft software patches as well as the targets which are missing these patches.

5. Click on the OK button to start your scan.