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 Bug Bounty Program? | AttackVector Glossary

Explain Like I'm 5

Think of your house as a big castle, and you want to make sure it's safe from sneaky intruders. Instead of checking every corner yourself, you invite a group of detectives to find any secret passages or weak spots. If they find a way in, you give them a reward. That's what a Bug Bounty Program is like—a company asks people to find security holes in their digital 'castle' and pays them for their discoveries.

There are two ways these invitations can work. Some castles announce to everyone, asking anyone to help (that's a public program). Others only tell a few trusted detectives (that's a private program). This helps keep websites and apps safer by finding problems before the bad guys do.

Why does this matter? It's like having extra locks on your door. These programs make sure your online activities are safe, stopping unwanted visitors from causing trouble in your digital world.

Technical Definition

Definition

A Bug Bounty Program is a crowdsourced security initiative where organizations offer financial rewards to individuals, often security researchers, for identifying and reporting vulnerabilities in their software, systems, or networks.

How It Works

1Scope Definition: Organizations specify which parts of their systems or applications are open for testing.
2Rules of Engagement: Clear rules are established, outlining what testers can and cannot do.
3Submission: Researchers test the systems and submit detailed reports of any vulnerabilities found.
4Validation: The organization verifies the vulnerability and evaluates its impact.
5Payout: Rewards are given based on the severity and impact of the vulnerability.

Key Characteristics

Public vs Private: Public programs are open to everyone, while private programs are by invitation only.
Payout Range: Can range from $100 for minor issues to over $1,000,000 for critical vulnerabilities.
Platform Use: Often managed on platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd.

Comparison

Feature	Public Program	Private Program
Access	Open to everyone	Invitation-only
Scope	Typically broader	Narrower, more focused
Speed of Response	Potentially slower	Often faster

Real-World Example

Google's Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) has awarded millions to researchers, including payouts exceeding $100,000 for critical issues. CVE-2021-21193 is an example of a vulnerability reported through such programs.

Detection & Prevention

Utilize Tools: Use tools like Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP for regular security testing.
Regular Updates: Ensure systems are patched with the latest security updates.
Education: Train teams on secure coding practices.

Common Misconceptions

Only for Experts: False; anyone with the right skills can participate and learn.
Replaces Penetration Testing: Incorrect; it complements but does not replace formal penetration testing.
Immediate Fixes: Not necessarily; vulnerabilities are reported, then prioritized by the organization for fixing.

Keywords

what is Bug Bounty ProgramBug Bounty Program explainedBug Bounty Program detectionpublic vs private Bug BountyBug Bounty rewardsHackerOneBugcrowd

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