What is a primary purpose of a vulnerability scanner like Nessus?

A primary purpose of a vulnerability scanner like Nessus is to reduce the attack surface and strengthen compliance. Vulnerability scanners are designed to systematically identify security weaknesses in systems, applications, and network configurations. By scanning for known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance issues, these tools help organizations understand their security posture and address potential risks.

The primary goal here is to bolster security by pinpointing areas that could be exploited by attackers, thereby allowing organizations to remediate these vulnerabilities before they can be leveraged to compromise the system. This proactive approach not only enhances the overall security but also helps in meeting regulatory and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization adheres to necessary standards and guidelines related to information security.

In contrast, monitoring live network traffic focuses on analyzing data flows rather than identifying system weaknesses. Installing software on remote machines relates to deployment functions that aren't typically within the scope of a vulnerability scanner. Performing brute-force attacks is an offensive technique used to gain unauthorized access, which is contrary to the fundamental purpose of vulnerability scanning aimed at identifying and managing weaknesses in a system.