What is the Nmap utility used for?

• A. It is a password cracker
• B. It is an open source tool for scanning vulnerabilities of systems and networks. It can identify open ports on a host.
• C. It is a data backup tool
• D. It is a VPN client

Answer: (B)

Nmap is a network scanning tool used to map what hosts are on a network, what services they offer, and which ports are open. It’s open source and widely used in security assessments to reveal the reachable surface of a system by identifying open ports and often the services running on them. This helps security professionals understand what could be accessed from the network and plan further checks. The other options describe unrelated tools—password crackers, data backup utilities, and VPN clients—so they don’t fit Nmap’s purpose. The description that emphasizes scanning networks and identifying open ports best matches what Nmap does.