The Nmap Project has officially released Nmap 7.96, introducing a host of new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes. As a widely used network discovery and security auditing tool, Nmap’s latest version enhances its functionality, especially in DNS resolution. The new version includes parallel forward DNS lookups, drastically reducing scan times, especially when handling large sets of hostnames. Resolving one million website names now takes just over an hour, a massive improvement from the previous 49-hour process.
Nmap 7.96 also updates several key libraries, including OpenSSL, Lua, libssh2, and others, improving performance and system compatibility. These updates are critical for security professionals who rely on Nmap for accurate vulnerability assessments and network reconnaissance. In addition, the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) has been expanded with new scripts that improve functionality and automate tasks, such as targeting MikroTik routers and generating IPv6 target addresses. The addition of 612 total NSE scripts further enhances Nmap’s capabilities.
Zenmap, Nmap’s graphical user interface, now features a dark mode to improve usability in low-light conditions. The dark mode option reduces eye strain, making extended scanning sessions more comfortable. Additionally, Ncat, a part of the Nmap suite, introduces a new default mode for closing connections and adds a “-q” option for delayed exits after receiving EOF from standard input. These new features streamline user experience while enhancing core functionalities.
Nmap 7.96 also addresses several bug fixes and compatibility issues, including improvements to DNS parsing and new scanning capabilities. The update resolves problems with Windows-based IOCP Nsock engines and improves scanning of IP protocol 255. With these updates, Nmap continues to be a robust tool for network security professionals, providing faster scans, greater flexibility, and enhanced reliability. The latest version is available for download in various formats from the official website.
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