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.

Security Grades Demystified — What Your A to F Rating Actually Means

Understanding Security Grades

Imagine a major corporation suddenly in the headlines for the wrong reasons. The Equifax breach in 2017, where hackers exploited a known vulnerability in the Apache Struts framework (CVE-2017-5638), exposed personal data for over 147 million people. That’s the kind of disaster a low security grade can foreshadow.

So, what does a security grade actually measure? At its core, a website's security grade evaluates protection against threats. This includes SSL configurations, HTTP headers, known vulnerabilities, and exposure of the tech stack.

What Makes an A-Grade Site?

A site scoring an 'A' typically features robust SSL configurations, secure HTTP headers, and no known vulnerabilities. SSL Labs, a popular tool for SSL testing, looks for strong encryption, proper certificate chains, and support for modern protocols. HTTP headers like Content Security Policy (CSP) and X-Content-Type-Options add protection against common attacks.

For instance, a site with an up-to-date tech stack and patched libraries ranks high. Regular vulnerability scans using tools like nuclei or ffuf keep you ahead of threats.

What Does an F-Grade Site Look Like?

An 'F' grade indicates a site riddled with issues. Perhaps it has an expired SSL certificate, lacks basic HTTP security headers, or runs on software with critical vulnerabilities. The MOVEit Transfer breach in 2023, where unsecured endpoints and unpatched software were exploited, exemplifies an F in action.

How AttackVector Calculates Scores

AttackVector employs a 0-100 scoring system, translating into letter grades. We evaluate SSL configurations, inspect HTTP headers, check for CVE matches, and assess the tech stack. Our system is conservative with older frameworks that might have CVEs but are likely patched. For example, frameworks like WordPress often have vulnerabilities in older versions, but active patching keeps scores balanced.

Testing Your Site's Security

Want to test your site like a pro? Here's a quick walkthrough:

1Run an SSL scan: Use openssl s_client -connect yoursite.com:443 to check your SSL certs.
2Check HTTP Headers: Use tools like curl or Burp Suite to inspect headers.
3Scan for Vulnerabilities: Use nuclei with custom templates to hunt for issues.

What Not to Do: A Cautionary Tale

In 2020, a financial services firm experienced a breach because they ignored a CVE alert. Their Apache HTTP Server was outdated, and they dismissed routine patching. It’s a classic mistake—assuming 'older' means 'safer', when in reality, neglecting updates invites attackers.

Key Data Points

Verizon DBIR 2023: 45% of breaches involved hacking, with web applications being prime targets.
OWASP Top Ten: Injection and security misconfiguration remain prevalent, consistently appearing in the top vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Security grades aren’t just letters—they’re indicators of how well your site can fend off attacks. By understanding the components of a security grade, you can better protect your site and your users.

Remember, grades are a snapshot in time. Regular audits and updates are crucial to maintaining a high score and, more importantly, a secure site.