Using Scanless for Easy Anonymous Port Scanning
Objective
Learn how to use Scanless, a tool for performing anonymous port scans by leveraging third-party online scanning services. This lab covers installation, usage, and ethical considerations for utilizing Scanless.
Prerequisites
- Linux or macOS Environment:
- Scanless can also run on Windows via WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).
- Python Installed:
- Verify Python is installed:
python3 --version
- If not installed, install Python via your package manager:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
- Verify Python is installed:
- Scanless Installed:
- Install Scanless using pip:
pip3 install scanless
- Verify the installation:
scanless --help
- Install Scanless using pip:
- Ethical Considerations:
- Only scan systems you own or have explicit permission to test.
Step 1: Understanding Scanless
- What is Scanless?
- Scanless acts as a wrapper for online port scanning services.
- It allows you to perform port scans anonymously by using external tools.
- Why Use Scanless?
- Avoids exposing your IP address when performing port scans.
- Convenient for quick, remote scans.
- Common Use Cases:
- Testing firewalls and security configurations.
- Verifying open ports on external systems.
Step 2: Performing a Basic Scan
- Use the following command to scan a target:
scanless -t <target>
- Replace
<target>
with the target’s domain or IP address (e.g.,example.com
).
- Replace
- Example:
scanless -t 192.168.1.1
- Review the output:
- The tool will query online scanning services and display open ports for the target.
Step 3: Listing Available Scanners
- Display all supported online scanning services:
scanless --list
- Example Output:
```
Available scanners:
- hackertarget
- yougetsignal
- viewdns ```
- Use the service name for targeted scans.
Step 4: Using a Specific Scanner
- Specify a scanner with the
-s
option:scanless -t <target> -s <scanner>
- Replace
<scanner>
with the desired service (e.g.,hackertarget
).
- Replace
- Example:
scanless -t example.com -s hackertarget
- Review the results specific to that service.
Step 5: Outputting Results to a File
- Save the results to a file using the
-o
option:scanless -t <target> -o <filename>
- Replace
<filename>
with the desired file name (e.g.,scan_results.txt
).
- Replace
- Example:
scanless -t example.com -o results.txt
- View the saved results:
cat results.txt
Step 6: Troubleshooting
- Scanless Not Found:
- Ensure Python and pip are installed and properly configured.
- Reinstall Scanless:
pip3 install --upgrade scanless
- No Results:
- Verify the target is reachable.
- Use a different scanner if the current one fails.
- Network Issues:
- Ensure your system has internet access, as Scanless relies on online services.
Step 7: Ethical and Legal Considerations
- Permission Required:
- Only scan systems you own or have explicit authorization to test.
- Respect Privacy:
- Do not use Scanless to scan systems without consent.
- Minimize Exposure:
- Avoid scanning high-profile targets to prevent unwanted attention.
Additional Tips and Insights
- Combine with Other Tools:
- Use Scanless alongside Nmap or Metasploit for comprehensive testing.
- Monitor Service Status:
- Online scanning services may experience downtime. Try multiple services if one fails.
- Automate Scans:
- Write scripts to automate periodic scans and save results for analysis.
- Security Awareness:
- Understand that online scanning services may log your queries.
Key Takeaways
- Scanless simplifies anonymous port scanning by leveraging external services.
- Understanding its usage and limitations ensures effective and ethical scanning.
- Always follow ethical guidelines and obtain permission before scanning any system.