There are many factors that influence whether a connection works properly or not. Sometimes we can take into account some settings to achieve better speed or greater stability. An example is the ports, since for the proper functioning of certain applications it is sometimes necessary to have some open. In this article we are going to talk about Zenmap , Nmap‘s graphical interface for scanning ports.
Zenmap, Nmap’s graphical interface for port scanning
Zenmap is a free tool that we can use to scan ports . We can know which ones we have open, to avoid problems when using some programs or accessing a server. It is the graphical interface of the popular open source program Nmap, which allows a complete port scan of any connected equipment.
It should be noted that this tool, which is completely free, is available for different operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Linux or macOS. It allows users to run different types of port scans. It is ideal for less experienced users as well as for more advanced users.
To start using Zenmap, the first thing we have to do is download it . We can do it from the official Nmap page . There we will find the different versions, depending on the operating system we are using. The installation process is simple, fast and intuitive. In a few seconds we will have it ready to use.
When we have installed it we will simply have to run it. We will find an image like the one above. We can choose a thorough port scan, fast scan, TCP ports, UDP, etc.
How to check the open ports of any computer
With Zenmap we can see which ports are open on any device. In the Objective section we have to put the IP address that corresponds to that equipment to, later, perform the scan to show which ones are open.
Therefore, the first thing we have to do is know what the IP address of our equipment is. In Windows this process is very simple. We simply have to go to Start, run the Command Prompt and then ipconfig. It will show us a series of information among which we can see the default gateway (generally 192.168.1.1) as well as the IP address of that computer.
When we know what the address is, we will have to put it in the Objective section, in Zenmap. Later we will have to choose the type of scan we want to carry out, such as a complete scan of all TCP ports.
In Zenmap, at the top, we will find different tabs . We will see Nmap Output, Ports / Servers, Topology, Server Details and Scans. All of them provide us with information, as well as being able to choose the type of service on the left side.
When we click on Ports / Servers, a compilation of all the open and filtered ports on that host will appear. Keep in mind that more or fewer ports will appear depending on the type of scan we have performed.
If we click on Scans, all the scans we have made will appear. We can save them to be able to analyze the data on another occasion, as well as delete them so that they do not appear there.
We can do this with any other equipment that we have connected to the network. For example, we can also check the open ports and scan our mobile phone. We are only going to need to know what the IP address is. Of course, it must be borne in mind that this process may take more or less depending on the type of device.
In short, Zenmap is an interesting program with which we can do port scans. We can use it on Windows, which is the most widely used operating system on desktop computers, as well as on Linux and macOS. Its use is simple and intuitive and we will be able to have greater control over which ports we have open, especially when we need to know if a device is going to work correctly when using an application that requires certain open ports.
It is, therefore, an alternative to Nmap port scanning but through its graphical interface. Easier to use, both by less experienced users as well as more advanced users.