Network Scanner
Discover devices and scan ports on your local network.
Use when scanning LAN, finding devices, or checking open ports.
Requirements
nmapinstalled (apt install nmap/brew install nmap)- No API keys needed
Instructions
Determine target — detect local subnet:
ip route | grep default | awk '{print $3}' | sed 's/\.[0-9]*$/.0\/24/' # or ifconfig | grep 'inet ' | grep -v '127.0.0.1'⚠️ Validate target — CRITICAL:
- ✅ Only scan private IP ranges:
10.0.0.0/8,172.16.0.0/12,192.168.0.0/16,127.0.0.0/8 - ❌ REJECT public IPs unless user explicitly confirms ownership
- Always confirm scan target with user before executing
- ✅ Only scan private IP ranges:
Run scans (prefer non-root options):
Scan Type Command Sudo? Speed Host discovery nmap -sn {subnet}No Fast Quick ports nmap -F {target}No Fast All ports nmap -p- {target}No Slow Service detection nmap -sV {target}No Medium OS detection sudo nmap -O {target}Yes Medium Vulnerability scan nmap --script vuln {target}No Slow Output format:
## 🔍 Network Scan Results **Subnet:** 192.168.1.0/24 | **Date:** YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM **Devices found:** 12 | # | IP | Hostname | MAC | Open Ports | Services | |---|-----|----------|-----|-----------|----------| | 1 | 192.168.1.1 | router | AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF | 80, 443 | HTTP, HTTPS | | 2 | 192.168.1.10 | nas | ... | 22, 445, 8080 | SSH, SMB, HTTP | ### ⚠️ Security Notes - 192.168.1.10: SSH (22) open — ensure key-only auth - 192.168.1.15: Telnet (23) open — **insecure, disable if possible**Highlight security concerns:
- Open Telnet (23) — insecure protocol
- Open FTP (21) — consider SFTP instead
- Default HTTP ports with no HTTPS
- Services on non-standard ports
Edge Cases
- nmap not installed: Suggest installation or fall back to
pingsweep +ncport check. - Permission denied: Non-root can't do SYN scans or OS detection. Note limitations.
- Firewall blocking: Some hosts won't respond to ping. Use
-Pnto skip host discovery. - Very large subnet (/16 or larger): Warn user it will take a long time. Suggest narrowing scope.
- VPN active: Scanned subnet may be the VPN network, not local LAN. Check
ip route.
Security Considerations
- Only scan networks you own or have explicit permission to scan.
- Unauthorized port scanning may violate laws and terms of service.
- Don't share scan results publicly — they reveal network topology.
- Use
sudoonly when explicitly needed and justified.