Nessus is one of the most popular vulnerability scanners used by security professionals to identify potential weaknesses in systems and networks. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install and use Nessus on Debian 12. These instructions are applicable whether you’re working on a local machine or on a Linux VPS UK, Linux VPS, or any UK Linux VPS environment.
Step 1: Download Nessus
First, you’ll need to download the Nessus installer. Connect to your Debian 12 server (this can be a local server or a Linux VPSVirtual Private Server Hosting solution) and run the following commands:
cd /tmp
wget https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/12840/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O Nessus.deb
This will download the latest version of Nessus for Debian systems.
Step 2: Install Nessus
Once the download is complete, you can install Nessus by running:
sudo dpkg -i Nessus.deb
If you encounter any dependency issues during installation, you can resolve them by running:
sudo apt --fix-broken install
This command will ensure all necessary dependencies are installed on your Linux VPSVirtual Private Servers or any VPS Linux VPSServers running Debian 12.
Step 3: Start Nessus and Enable it on Boot
After installing Nessus, you need to start its service and enable it to run on system boot:
sudo systemctl start nessusd
sudo systemctl enable nessusd
With this command, Nessus will begin running in the background on your Debian 12 server, whether it’s hosted on a Linux VPS Italy, UK VPS Windows, or any other Linux VPSVirtual Dedicated Server Hosting environment.
Step 4: Access the Nessus Web Interface
To configure Nessus, open your web browser and navigate to https://your_server_ip:8834. If you’re using a Linux VPS Hosting UK solution, you’ll need to use the public IP of your VPS. This will load the Nessus setup page.
Step 5: Configure Nessus
Once you reach the setup page, follow these steps:
- Select the “Nessus Essentials” option for free vulnerability scanning.
- Create an account on the Nessus website to obtain your activation code.
- Enter the activation code and wait for Nessus to complete the plugin updates, which might take a few minutes.
Once the setup is complete, you can log in to the Nessus dashboard and start scanning your Linux VPSVirtual Private Server Hosting or any network attached to your VPS Linux VPSHosting environment.
Step 6: Using Nessus to Scan for Vulnerabilities
After logging into the Nessus dashboard, you can begin your first scan by following these steps:
- Click on “New Scan.”
- Select the type of scan you want to perform, such as a basic network scan or an advanced scan.
- Enter the target IP address or range of IPs to scan. If you’re using a Linux VPSServer VPS or VPS Linux VPSServers setup, enter the IP addresses of those servers.
- Configure any additional options as needed, then click “Launch.”
Nessus will begin scanning for vulnerabilities, and once the scan is complete, you can view the results in the dashboard.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily install and use Nessus Vulnerability Scanner on Debian 12. Whether you’re using a Linux VPS UK, UK VPS Windows, or any other Linux VPSVirtual Private Server Hosting, Nessus will help you identify potential security issues and protect your system. For more reliable hosting solutions, check out Linux VPS UK for Linux VPSVirtual Dedicated Server Hosting and Linux VPS Hosting UK services.