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.

What is API Security Testing? | AttackVector Glossary

Explain Like I'm 5

Think of your computer system like a castle with many doors and windows. These doors and windows are like APIs—they let information in and out. API security testing is like having a guard who checks each door and window to make sure only the right people can enter. Imagine if a door was left open by mistake, or a window could be tricked into opening for a stranger. Your job is to find these weak spots and fix them, so no one can sneak in and cause trouble. This is important because if someone gets in, they could steal important things or mess up your system, just like a thief in a castle.

Technical Definition

Definition

API Security Testing is the process of evaluating the security of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), focusing on identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access or disrupt service. This involves testing for issues such as authentication bypass, broken object-level authorization, mass assignment, rate limiting gaps, and injection vulnerabilities.

How It Works

1Identify API Endpoints: Map out all API endpoints using tools like Burp Suite or Postman.
2Test Authentication: Check if authentication mechanisms can be bypassed.
3Check Authorization: Test for Broken Object-Level Authorization (BOLA) by attempting to access unauthorized resources.
4Test for Mass Assignment: Evaluate if assigning multiple parameters can manipulate data inappropriately.
5Rate Limiting: Assess if rate limiting is implemented to prevent abuse.
6Injection Testing: Use tools like sqlmap to test for injection vulnerabilities through API parameters.

Key Characteristics

Focuses on REST and GraphQL APIs.
Involves both automated and manual testing techniques.
Uses OWASP API Security Top 10 as a guideline.

Comparison

Aspect	API Security Testing	Web Application Security Testing
Scope	API endpoints	Full web application
Common Issues	Authentication, BOLA	XSS, CSRF
Tools	Burp Suite, Postman	OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite

Real-World Example

The Optus 2022 breach exposed sensitive customer data due to a lack of proper API security measures. Attackers exploited API endpoints to access data without proper authorization controls.

Detection & Prevention

Tools: Use Burp Suite for automated scanning and Postman for manual testing.
Follow OWASP Guidelines: Regularly consult the OWASP API Security Top 10.
Implement Rate Limiting: Protect against abuse by setting request limits.

Common Misconceptions

"APIs are inherently secure because they don't have a UI." False. APIs can be vulnerable to many of the same issues as web applications.
"SSL/TLS encryption alone is enough." Encryption protects data in transit but doesn't secure API endpoints from unauthorized access.
"Automated tools catch everything." Manual testing is essential for finding complex vulnerabilities.

Keywords

what is API Security TestingAPI Security Testing explainedAPI Security Testing detectionAPI Security Testing toolsREST API Security TestingGraphQL API vulnerabilitiesOWASP API Security

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