sudo apt install nikto
# From source
git clone https://github.com/sullo/nikto
cd nikto/program
Using
# Basic scan
nikto -h https://target.com
# Force SSL
nikto -h https://target.com -ssl
# Output file
nikto -h https://target.com -output nikto.txt
# Tuning (faster / focused)
nikto -h https://target.com -Tuning 123bde
Real-time usage (typical)
Scope
Duration
Notes
Single host
1 – 5 min
default
With tuning
30 s – 3 min
-Tuning
Multiple hosts
sequential
script externally
Quick surface check. Not a replacement for nuclei on modern stacks.
Current Step
Quick web server misconfiguration and known vulnerability checks.
Next Step
Validate findings with nuclei or manual review. Do not treat nikto as complete coverage for modern apps.
Errors Fixes
SSL problems → -ssl or -nossl
Timeout → -timeout 10
Sparse results → target may be modern or behind WAF
Perl issues → usually resolved by package manager install
1---2name: nikto-23description: nikto4---5# nikto67## Repo8https://github.com/sullo/nikto910## Installation11```bash12sudo apt install nikto1314# From source15git clone https://github.com/sullo/nikto16cd nikto/program17```1819## Using20```bash21# Basic scan22nikto -h https://target.com2324# Force SSL25nikto -h https://target.com -ssl2627# Output file28nikto -h https://target.com -output nikto.txt2930# Tuning (faster / focused)31nikto -h https://target.com -Tuning 123bde32```3334## Real-time usage (typical)35| Scope | Duration | Notes |36|-------|----------|-------|37| Single host | 1 – 5 min | default |38| With tuning | 30 s – 3 min | -Tuning |39| Multiple hosts | sequential | script externally |4041Quick surface check. Not a replacement for nuclei on modern stacks.4243## Current Step44Quick web server misconfiguration and known vulnerability checks.4546## Next Step47Validate findings with nuclei or manual review. Do not treat nikto as complete coverage for modern apps.4849## Errors Fixes50- SSL problems → -ssl or -nossl51- Timeout → -timeout 1052- Sparse results → target may be modern or behind WAF53- Perl issues → usually resolved by package manager install
Run npx skillmds@latest add sameh1200/nikto-2 in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.
nikto It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: CAUTION, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: makes network calls. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.
This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.
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Sameh1200 (@sameh1200) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.
Sameh1200