Is this legal? Do I need permission?

AttackVector performs passive security scanning only — we analyze publicly available information like HTTP headers, SSL certificates, and technology fingerprints. We do NOT perform active exploitation. However, you should only scan websites you own or have explicit authorization to test.

How does AttackVector compare to traditional pentesting?

Traditional penetration tests cost $5,000–$50,000+ and take weeks. AttackVector provides instant AI-powered scanning starting at $79/mo. While it doesn't replace a full manual pentest for compliance purposes, it catches 80% of common vulnerabilities at 1% of the cost.

What does the free tier include?

The free scan includes SSL/TLS certificate analysis, HTTP security headers audit, technology stack detection, your top 3 vulnerabilities, and an overall security grade (A-F). Upgrade to Pro to unlock all vulnerabilities, CVE matching, and AI remediation guides.

How do the AI agents work?

AttackVector uses a pipeline of specialized AI agents: Recon Agent discovers endpoints, Fingerprint Agent detects your tech stack, Scanner Agent checks for misconfigurations, CVE Matcher cross-references the NVD database, and Report Writer generates human-readable findings with fix instructions.

How often should I scan my site?

We recommend scanning after every deployment and at least weekly. Pro subscribers get continuous monitoring with weekly automatic re-scans. New CVEs are published daily, so regular scanning is essential.

Can AttackVector scan internal/private networks?

No. For security reasons, AttackVector only scans publicly accessible URLs. We block requests to private IP ranges (localhost, 10.x.x.x, 192.168.x.x, etc.).

What is automated penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing uses AI and software tools to simulate cyberattacks on your systems, identifying vulnerabilities without requiring a human security consultant. AttackVector automates recon, fingerprinting, vulnerability scanning, CVE matching, and report generation — delivering results in seconds instead of weeks.

How much does a penetration test cost?

Traditional manual penetration tests cost between $5,000 and $50,000+ per engagement. AttackVector provides AI-powered pentesting starting with a free tier, with Pro plans at $79/mo and Premium at $199/mo — making enterprise-grade security accessible to startups and small businesses.

What vulnerabilities does AttackVector detect?

AttackVector detects OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), CSRF, broken authentication, security misconfigurations, sensitive data exposure, and more. Pro and Premium plans add CVE matching against the National Vulnerability Database, DNS security auditing, API security testing, and frontend pentesting.

Is AI pentesting as good as manual penetration testing?

AI pentesting catches 80% of common vulnerabilities instantly and is ideal for continuous monitoring. Manual pentesting is still recommended for compliance audits (PCI DSS, SOC 2) and testing complex business logic. AttackVector is best used as a complement — providing continuous coverage between annual manual pentests.

What is a CVE and how does CVE scanning work?

CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is a standardized system for identifying known security vulnerabilities. AttackVector detects your technology stack (frameworks, libraries, servers) and cross-references them against the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) with 50,000+ CVE entries to find known exploits affecting your software versions.

How do I check if my website is secure?

Enter your website URL at attackvector.tech/scan to get a free instant security assessment. You'll receive a security grade (A-F), SSL/TLS analysis, HTTP security headers audit, technology detection, and your top vulnerabilities — all in seconds with no signup required.

What is OWASP Top 10 and why does it matter?

The OWASP Top 10 is the industry standard list of the most critical web application security risks, published by the Open Worldwide Application Security Project. It includes injection attacks, broken authentication, sensitive data exposure, XML external entities, broken access control, security misconfigurations, XSS, insecure deserialization, using components with known vulnerabilities, and insufficient logging. AttackVector scans for all 10 categories.

Does AttackVector test APIs for vulnerabilities?

Yes. Pro and Premium plans include API discovery and API security testing. AttackVector automatically discovers API endpoints, then tests for SQL injection, command injection, authentication bypass, IDOR, rate limiting issues, CORS misconfigurations, and mass assignment vulnerabilities in your APIs.

What is a DNS security audit?

A DNS security audit examines your domain's DNS configuration for security issues including missing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (email spoofing protection), DNSSEC validation, zone transfer vulnerabilities, dangling DNS records, and subdomain takeover risks. AttackVector includes comprehensive DNS auditing in Pro and Premium plans.

How does AI-powered vulnerability scanning work?

AttackVector deploys multiple specialized AI agents in parallel: a Recon Agent maps your attack surface, a Fingerprint Agent identifies your technology stack, a Scanner Agent tests for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, a CVE Matcher finds known exploits in your software, and a Report Agent generates human-readable findings with step-by-step remediation guides.

AI-Powered Pentesting vs Traditional Security Audits: Why Startups and Freelancers No Longer Need to Spend Thousands

Why Traditional Pentests Drain Budgets

Security audits can cost as much as a luxury car. Traditional pentesting engagements range from 5,000 to 30,000 EUR per session, driven by consultant fees and lengthy timelines. These audits take weeks to schedule, with days lost in execution. Companies like Deloitte and PwC thrive on this model, but it's neither agile nor cost-effective for startups or freelancers.

Consider the Equifax breach. A missed patch on CVE-2017-5638 led to one of the largest data breaches in history, highlighting the need for continuous and accessible security evaluations, something traditional methods often fail to provide.

AttackVector's AI-Powered Solution

Imagine running a security assessment in the time it takes to brew your morning coffee. With AttackVector, that's reality. Our free reconnaissance tier gets you started, while the Pro plan at 49 EUR/month offers deep scanning with exploit validation. For those needing the full package, the Premium plan at 199 EUR/month includes attack path modeling and compliance mapping.

Our 4-stage pipeline includes:

1Passive Recon: Identifies assets without system interaction, ensuring zero impact.
2Active Scanning: Utilizes tools like nmap and Burp Suite to uncover vulnerabilities.
3Non-Destructive Exploit Validation: Safe testing in disposable Docker containers—no risk, no mess.
4Attack Path Modeling: Maps potential attack paths and checks compliance with standards like NIS2 and ISO 27001.

How We Democratize Security

Freelancers and startups no longer need enterprise budgets to ensure security. A small dev team launching an app can perform professional-grade security assessments on-demand. This is a game-changer for those used to waiting weeks and spending thousands.

Real-World Example: Testing for SQL Injection

Here's how to use nuclei to scan for SQL Injection vulnerabilities:

nuclei -u https://yourapp.com -t sql-injection

This scan sets up in minutes and integrates into CI/CD pipelines, a stark contrast to traditional, lengthy, and costly approaches.

What Not to Do: The MOVEit Breach

The MOVEit breach is a cautionary tale. Over-reliance on manual audits delayed the discovery of multiple vulnerabilities, leading to significant data exposure. This reinforces the need for automated, continuous testing.

Faster, Smarter, Cheaper

Traditional audits can take 2-4 weeks; with AttackVector, results are delivered in minutes. Premium users can even deploy agents on their infrastructure, maintaining full control.

Actionable Insights

Scan regularly: Use AttackVector's pipeline to automate your scans.
Test with purpose: Focus on critical vulnerabilities like those in the OWASP Top Ten.
Patch promptly: Address findings as they occur, not in quarterly waves.
Monitor compliance: Map results against industry standards continuously.
Audit your assets: Verify ownership before scanning.

AI-Powered Pentesting vs Traditional Security Audits: Why Startups and Freelancers No Longer Need to Spend Thousands

Summary

ELI5 — The Simple Version