Introduction

Nessus is a widely used vulnerability assessment tool that helps security professionals identify and fix vulnerabilities in their systems. In this guide, you will learn how to install Nessus Security Scanner on Ubuntu 22.04. This setup can be effectively hosted on a Linux VPS UK for enhanced security and performance.

Prerequisites

• An Ubuntu 22.04 server with root access
• Basic knowledge of Linux commands
• An active internet connection

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your package index and upgrading existing packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Download Nessus

Go to the Nessus download page and download the Debian package for Ubuntu:

wget -P /tmp https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/11174/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O nessus.deb

Step 3: Install Nessus

Install the downloaded Nessus package using the following command:

sudo dpkg -i /tmp/nessus.deb

After installation, start the Nessus service:

sudo systemctl start nessusd.service

Enable the service to start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable nessusd.service

Step 4: Access Nessus Web Interface

Nessus runs a web server on port 8834. Open your web browser and navigate to:

https://your_server_ip:8834

Follow the prompts to complete the setup. You will need to create an account and select the Nessus license you want to use.

Step 5: Configure Nessus

After the setup is complete, log in to the Nessus web interface and configure the necessary settings according to your requirements. You can add target systems for scanning and configure various scan policies.

Step 6: Perform a Vulnerability Scan

Create a new scan by clicking on the “New Scan” button in the Nessus dashboard. Choose the type of scan you wish to perform and configure the target settings.

Step 7: Review Scan Results

Once the scan is complete, review the results in the Nessus dashboard. You will find detailed information about vulnerabilities detected, along with remediation steps.

Step 8: Conclusion

You have successfully installed Nessus Security Scanner on Ubuntu 22.04. This powerful vulnerability assessment tool can significantly benefit from being hosted on a Linux VPS. For additional options, explore various Linux VPS solutions, including Linux VPSVirtual Private Server Hosting and Linux VPS Hosting UK for optimal performance and security.

Introduction

Nessus is a widely used vulnerability assessment tool that helps security professionals identify and fix vulnerabilities in their systems. In this guide, you will learn how to install Nessus Security Scanner on Ubuntu 22.04. This setup can be effectively hosted on a Linux VPS UK for enhanced security and performance.

Prerequisites

• An Ubuntu 22.04 server with root access
• Basic knowledge of Linux commands
• An active internet connection

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your package index and upgrading existing packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Download Nessus

Go to the Nessus download page and download the Debian package for Ubuntu:

wget -P /tmp https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/11174/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O nessus.deb

Step 3: Install Nessus

Install the downloaded Nessus package using the following command:

sudo dpkg -i /tmp/nessus.deb

After installation, start the Nessus service:

sudo systemctl start nessusd.service

Enable the service to start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable nessusd.service

Step 4: Access Nessus Web Interface

Nessus runs a web server on port 8834. Open your web browser and navigate to:

https://your_server_ip:8834

Follow the prompts to complete the setup. You will need to create an account and select the Nessus license you want to use.

Step 5: Configure Nessus

After the setup is complete, log in to the Nessus web interface and configure the necessary settings according to your requirements. You can add target systems for scanning and configure various scan policies.

Step 6: Perform a Vulnerability Scan

Create a new scan by clicking on the “New Scan” button in the Nessus dashboard. Choose the type of scan you wish to perform and configure the target settings.

Step 7: Review Scan Results

Once the scan is complete, review the results in the Nessus dashboard. You will find detailed information about vulnerabilities detected, along with remediation steps.

Step 8: Conclusion

You have successfully installed Nessus Security Scanner on Ubuntu 22.04. This powerful vulnerability assessment tool can significantly benefit from being hosted on a Linux VPS. For additional options, explore various Linux VPS solutions, including Linux VPSVirtual Private Server Hosting and Linux VPS Hosting UK for optimal performance and security.

Step 1: Download Nessus

Nessus is not available in the default Ubuntu repositories, so you need to download it from the official Tenable website. Start by visiting the Nessus downloads page, or you can use the following command to download the Nessus Debian package:

wget https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/15694/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O Nessus-10.3.0-ubuntu2204_amd64.deb

Once the download is complete, you are ready to install Nessus on your system. This works whether you’re setting it up on a local server or a VPS Linux VPSServers platform.

Step 2: Install Nessus

To install Nessus, run the following command:

sudo dpkg -i Nessus-10.3.0-ubuntu2204_amd64.deb

After the installation, enable and start the Nessus service:

sudo systemctl enable nessusd
sudo systemctl start nessusd
            

Nessus is now installed and running on your system. This setup will work on both local environments and cloud deployments like a Linux VPS hosting UK.

Step 3: Access Nessus Web Interface

Nessus provides a web interface for managing scans and reports. To access the web interface, open a browser and navigate to the following URL:

https://your-server-ip:8834/

If you’re using Nessus on a Linux VPS Italy or another VPS environment, replace your-server-ip with the public IP of your server.

The browser may show a security warning because Nessus uses a self-signed SSL certificate. You can safely bypass this warning to proceed to the Nessus setup page.

Step 4: Complete Nessus Setup

Once on the Nessus web interface, you’ll be prompted to choose a product (Nessus Essentials, Professional, or Manager). For free usage, you can choose Nessus Essentials. After selecting your product, register for an activation code on the Tenable website and enter it into the setup page.

Next, Nessus will download the necessary plugins to start performing scans. This process may take a few minutes, depending on your network speed. Once the plugin download is complete, you can log in and start creating vulnerability scans.

Step 5: Configure and Run a Vulnerability Scan

After the setup is complete, log in to the Nessus web interface using the credentials you created during the setup process. To start a scan, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “New Scan” button.
2. Choose the type of scan (e.g., Basic Network Scan).
3. Enter the target IP address or network range.
4. Configure any additional settings, such as scan policies or credentials.
5. Click “Launch” to start the scan.

Once the scan is complete, Nessus will generate a detailed report with identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and remediation recommendations. This functionality is invaluable for securing your network, whether hosted locally or on a VPS Linux VPSServers platform.

Step 6: Secure Nessus with SSL

For enhanced security, you can configure Nessus to use a valid SSL certificate instead of the self-signed one. You can use Let’s Encrypt to obtain a free SSL certificate. First, install Certbot:

sudo apt install certbot

Next, run the following command to generate the SSL certificate for your domain:

sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d your-domain.com

Once the certificate is obtained, update the Nessus configuration to use the new SSL certificate and restart Nessus. This step ensures that your Nessus instance is securely accessible via HTTPS, whether on a local server or a Linux VPS hosting UK.

Step 1: Download Nessus

Nessus is not available in the default Ubuntu repositories, so you need to download it from the official Tenable website. Start by visiting the Nessus downloads page, or you can use the following command to download the Nessus Debian package:

wget https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/15694/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O Nessus-10.3.0-ubuntu2204_amd64.deb

Once the download is complete, you are ready to install Nessus on your system. This works whether you’re setting it up on a local server or a VPS Linux VPSServers platform.

Step 2: Install Nessus

To install Nessus, run the following command:

sudo dpkg -i Nessus-10.3.0-ubuntu2204_amd64.deb

After the installation, enable and start the Nessus service:

sudo systemctl enable nessusd
sudo systemctl start nessusd
            

Nessus is now installed and running on your system. This setup will work on both local environments and cloud deployments like a Linux VPS hosting UK.

Step 3: Access Nessus Web Interface

Nessus provides a web interface for managing scans and reports. To access the web interface, open a browser and navigate to the following URL:

https://your-server-ip:8834/

If you’re using Nessus on a Linux VPS Italy or another VPS environment, replace your-server-ip with the public IP of your server.

The browser may show a security warning because Nessus uses a self-signed SSL certificate. You can safely bypass this warning to proceed to the Nessus setup page.

Step 4: Complete Nessus Setup

Once on the Nessus web interface, you’ll be prompted to choose a product (Nessus Essentials, Professional, or Manager). For free usage, you can choose Nessus Essentials. After selecting your product, register for an activation code on the Tenable website and enter it into the setup page.

Next, Nessus will download the necessary plugins to start performing scans. This process may take a few minutes, depending on your network speed. Once the plugin download is complete, you can log in and start creating vulnerability scans.

Step 5: Configure and Run a Vulnerability Scan

After the setup is complete, log in to the Nessus web interface using the credentials you created during the setup process. To start a scan, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “New Scan” button.
2. Choose the type of scan (e.g., Basic Network Scan).
3. Enter the target IP address or network range.
4. Configure any additional settings, such as scan policies or credentials.
5. Click “Launch” to start the scan.

Once the scan is complete, Nessus will generate a detailed report with identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and remediation recommendations. This functionality is invaluable for securing your network, whether hosted locally or on a VPS Linux VPSServers platform.

Step 6: Secure Nessus with SSL

For enhanced security, you can configure Nessus to use a valid SSL certificate instead of the self-signed one. You can use Let’s Encrypt to obtain a free SSL certificate. First, install Certbot:

sudo apt install certbot

Next, run the following command to generate the SSL certificate for your domain:

sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d your-domain.com

Once the certificate is obtained, update the Nessus configuration to use the new SSL certificate and restart Nessus. This step ensures that your Nessus instance is securely accessible via HTTPS, whether on a local server or a Linux VPS hosting UK.

Step 1: Download Nessus

Nessus is not available in the default Ubuntu repositories, so you need to download it from the official Tenable website. Start by visiting the Nessus downloads page, or you can use the following command to download the Nessus Debian package:

wget https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/15694/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O Nessus-10.3.0-ubuntu2204_amd64.deb

Once the download is complete, you are ready to install Nessus on your system. This works whether you’re setting it up on a local server or a VPS Linux VPSServers platform.

Step 2: Install Nessus

To install Nessus, run the following command:

sudo dpkg -i Nessus-10.3.0-ubuntu2204_amd64.deb

After the installation, enable and start the Nessus service:

sudo systemctl enable nessusd
sudo systemctl start nessusd
            

Nessus is now installed and running on your system. This setup will work on both local environments and cloud deployments like a Linux VPS hosting UK.

Step 3: Access Nessus Web Interface

Nessus provides a web interface for managing scans and reports. To access the web interface, open a browser and navigate to the following URL:

https://your-server-ip:8834/

If you’re using Nessus on a Linux VPS Italy or another VPS environment, replace your-server-ip with the public IP of your server.

The browser may show a security warning because Nessus uses a self-signed SSL certificate. You can safely bypass this warning to proceed to the Nessus setup page.

Step 4: Complete Nessus Setup

Once on the Nessus web interface, you’ll be prompted to choose a product (Nessus Essentials, Professional, or Manager). For free usage, you can choose Nessus Essentials. After selecting your product, register for an activation code on the Tenable website and enter it into the setup page.

Next, Nessus will download the necessary plugins to start performing scans. This process may take a few minutes, depending on your network speed. Once the plugin download is complete, you can log in and start creating vulnerability scans.

Step 5: Configure and Run a Vulnerability Scan

After the setup is complete, log in to the Nessus web interface using the credentials you created during the setup process. To start a scan, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “New Scan” button.
2. Choose the type of scan (e.g., Basic Network Scan).
3. Enter the target IP address or network range.
4. Configure any additional settings, such as scan policies or credentials.
5. Click “Launch” to start the scan.

Once the scan is complete, Nessus will generate a detailed report with identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and remediation recommendations. This functionality is invaluable for securing your network, whether hosted locally or on a VPS Linux VPSServers platform.

Step 6: Secure Nessus with SSL

For enhanced security, you can configure Nessus to use a valid SSL certificate instead of the self-signed one. You can use Let’s Encrypt to obtain a free SSL certificate. First, install Certbot:

sudo apt install certbot

Next, run the following command to generate the SSL certificate for your domain:

sudo certbot certonly --standalone -d your-domain.com

Once the certificate is obtained, update the Nessus configuration to use the new SSL certificate and restart Nessus. This step ensures that your Nessus instance is securely accessible via HTTPS, whether on a local server or a Linux VPS hosting UK.