Installing Zenmap in Kali Linux
Introduction
Zenmap is a popular tool used for Nmap scanning, [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nmap_(network scanning_tool) mod-field), a powerful network scanning and mapping tool that is part of the Nmap project. Kali Linux, being a variant of Debian, provides an environment for installing and using various tools, including Nmap. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Zenmap in Kali Linux.
Prerequisites
Before installing Zenmap, ensure that you have:
-
Kali Linux: Install the Kali Linux distribution, which comes with a default package manager called apt, which supports most package types, including package managers like apt, dpkg, and apt-get.
-
ncurses: A terminal emulator package that provides input/output capabilities for command-line interfaces.
- gcc and make: A C-compilation package that comes with the Kali Linux distribution. This will be required to compile Zenmap.
Step 1: Install the Required Packages
Open a terminal in your Kali Linux installation and run the following commands:
- sudo apt update to update the package list.
- sudo apt install gcc make -y to install the required C-compilation package and make it available for installation.
Step 2: Install Zenmap
Once the package manager is updated and the required package is installed, you can install Zenmap using the following command:
- sudo apt install zenmap to install Zenmap.
Installing Zenmap
Zenmap is easy to install and use. The installation process involves downloading and compiling the Zenmap source code.
- svn checkout https://svn.nmap.org/nmap/nmap/refs/nmap-3.45/nmap/nmap-src/bin/nmap nmap-src.git to download the Zenmap source code.
- cd nmap-src to navigate to the Zenmap source code directory.
- make to compile Zenmap.
- make install to install Zenmap in the system.
Compiling Zenmap
The compilation process requires [](https://wiki.nmap.org/index.php/Building Zenmap_(PCRE)) the PCRE (Perl-Compatible Regular Expressions) extension.
- sudo apt install libpcre-dev to install the PCRE development package.
- make install to install PCRE.
Alternative Method: Pre-compiled binaries
If you prefer not to compile Zenmap from source, you can use pre-compiled binaries. Kali Linux provides pre-compiled binaries for various architectures, including arm64 (ARM64) and x86.
- sudo apt install zenmap-x86_64 to install the 64-bit binary for x86 architecture.
- sudo apt install zenmap-arm64 to install the 64-bit binary for ARM64 architecture.
Using Zenmap
After installation, you can use Zenmap to scan your network using the following command:
- zenmap
: to scan a host or a specific user account.
Command Options
Zenmap provides various options to customize the scan, such as:
- -s to specify the protocol ( TCP, UDP, or both).
- -p to specify the port numbers to scan.
- -o to specify output files.
- -v to increase verbosity.
Filtering Scans
Zenmap allows you to filter the scans using various criteria, such as:
- TCP vs. UDP to filter out IP addresses using port numbers.
- Port scanning to filter out scans by specific ports.
- Host scanning to filter out scans by specific hosts.
Conclusion
Installing Zenmap in Kali Linux is a straightforward process that requires minimal technical expertise. With this guide, you can now use Zenmap to scan your network and gather valuable information about the devices on your network. Remember to use Zenmap in a secure environment, and always follow best practices for network security.