AP® Cybersecurity glossary
Vulnerability scanner
Also called: automated vulnerability scanner
An automated tool that checks networks, devices and applications for known vulnerabilities and reports what it finds.
Appears in the course and exam description (CED): 3.1.C.2
Why it matters in Unit 3
Scanner reports usually list each vulnerability found, its severity and how to mitigate it, which feeds directly into a risk assessment.
Example
A weekly scan reports an outdated router operating system, rates it critical, and recommends installing the vendor update.
Learn it properly, with a checkpoint 3.1 Network Vulnerabilities and Attacks