Top 10 Security Testing Tools in 2024

1. SQLMap

A must know tool if you are preparing to attend a QA interview for your dream job, SQLMap is a tool used in penetration testing. It's built in Python and helps find and fix security issues related to SQL injection flaws, which can be used by hackers to take control of a database. It supports various databases like MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL.

When SQLMap finds these vulnerabilities, testers can do thorough checks on the database and carry out different attacks. These attacks include guessing table and column names, getting database structures, and finding user information and passwords.

The best part? SQLMap is free to use! And it is also one of the most popular website security testing tools. You can even share it with others under certain rules.

2. NMAP

Nmap, short for Network Mapper, is one of the free and open-source security testing tools used for exploring networks, auditing security, and discovering devices connected to a network. It's great for scanning big networks quickly, but it works just as well for checking individual devices.

It uses special techniques with raw IP packets to figure out which devices are on the network, what services they offer, what operating systems they're running, and even what kind of firewalls they have in place.

Nmap now works on Windows and UNIX, and you can find versions for most other major operating systems as well. Best of all, Nmap won't cost you a penny! It's trusted by millions of users worldwide.

3. Nessus

Nessus Professional is a tool designed for security experts who tackle various issues like detecting and preventing malware, software bugs, and improper settings across different applications and operating systems.

Nessus helps security teams find vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them, making sure networks stay safe. Plus, it helps prevent remote code execution, a common tactic used by attackers.

As for pricing, there's a free version called Nessus Essentials, which is great for students and educators. For pros, there's Nessus Pro, which comes with different pricing options depending on the level of support you need.

4. Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)

An important security testing tool is ZAP, short for Zed Attack Proxy, Developed by OWASP, it is one of the most powerful website security testing tools for testing the security of web applications. It's open-source and works on different platforms.

Whether you're new to security testing or an expert, ZAP is user-friendly. It helps uncover various security flaws during the development and testing phases of a web application development phase. 

ZAP is recognized as a flagship project by OWASP and is written in Java It not only acts as a scanner but also lets you manually test web pages by intercepting a proxy.

Best of all, ZAP won't cost you a dime! It's freely available as part of The Software Security Project.

5. Wireshark

Wireshark is an open-source tool that allows you to see real-time details of network traffic. It's like a powerful microscope for your network.

It's super handy for troubleshooting network problems, digging into network protocols, and making sure your network is secure. After all, keeping an eye on your network is essential for smooth operations and security.

The best part? You can download Wireshark for free from their website, and it's all open-source, meaning anyone can use and modify it under certain rules.

6. Burp Suite

Burp Suite is a collection of tools for security testing designed to find vulnerabilities in web apps and systems. It's like a Swiss Army knife for testing web application security.

Security testers use Burp Suite, a Java tool developed by Portswigger, to pinpoint application weaknesses and fix them to make the system more secure.

One of Burp Suite's standout features is its ability to intercept HTTP requests, which is extremely useful for understanding and manipulating web traffic.

Now, let's talk about the price. There are different versions available, ranging from the free "Dastardly" edition to the more advanced "Professional" and "Enterprise" editions. Prices vary depending on the version and features you need, with options for individual users or larger enterprise deployments.

7. BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework)

BeEF, or the Browser Exploitation Framework, is a favorite tool among ethical hackers for checking and exploiting vulnerabilities found in web browsers.

While many tools for security testing target weaknesses in systems or servers, BeEF zooms in on the client side – that is the user's web browser. This is important because even if a network or operating system seems secure, vulnerabilities in a web browser can still give attackers a backdoor into the system.

The best part? BeEF is completely free to use and download. It's a valuable addition to any penetration tester's toolkit.

8. OpenVAS

When you run OpenVAS, it looks for IP addresses and checks them for open services, such as open ports, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities. After the scan, it automatically generates a report so you can fix any issues.

Even if you have your own system for handling incidents or detecting problems, OpenVAS can still be very useful. It enhances your network monitoring by providing testing tools and alerts, giving you an extra layer of security.

OpenVAS is a free vulnerability scanning solution, making it a great choice for budget-conscious users. Its source code is available on GitHub, and you can modify it as needed, making it perfect for security professionals with development skills.

9. Metasploit

Metasploit is like a Swiss Army knife for probing vulnerabilities in networks and servers for QA testers. It's a powerful tool for penetration testing(refer to the penetration testing tutorial), and it offers both command-line and graphical user interface options.

Metasploit's wide range of modules, including exploits, payloads, encoders, listeners, and more, makes it so versatile. These modules help testers simulate various attack scenarios to see where a system might be vulnerable.

Because Metasploit is popular in the hacker community, many security experts use it to understand what tactics a malicious attacker might use.

Now, let's talk about pricing. The Community edition is free, while the Pro edition comes with a price tag of $15,000 per year. There are also express versions available, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per year, depending on the features you need.

10. SonarQube

SonarQube, created by SonarSource, is a helpful open-source tool for assessing the quality of code in web applications. Think of it as your own personal code inspector for various programming languages like Java, C#, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, and more.

With SonarQube, you can automatically check your code for bugs, security issues, and other problems. It's made with Java and generates detailed reports on things like code coverage, complexity, repetition, security flaws, and bugs.

One of its strengths is its seamless integration with popular tools like Ant, Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, and others, making it easy to incorporate into your existing workflow.

Now, let's talk about pricing. There's a free version of SonarQube available, and you can also try out the paid version for free. The paid version starts at $160.00 per year, offering additional features and support.