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 OWASP Top 10? | AttackVector Glossary

Explain Like I'm 5

Think of your website like a big, important house. Each room in this house is a part of your website that you want to keep safe—like your bedroom for privacy or your kitchen for food safety. Now, imagine someone gives you a list of the top ten things you should check to keep your house secure, like locking the doors, securing the windows, and making sure the smoke alarms work. The OWASP Top 10 is just like that list but for websites. It tells you the most important security risks that could affect your website and how to protect it. Just like checking your house's locks keeps burglars out, following the OWASP Top 10 helps stop hackers from sneaking into your website.

Technical Definition

Definition

The OWASP Top 10 is a key awareness document that identifies the most critical security risks to web applications. It is published by the Open Web Application Security Project and is updated regularly to stay current with evolving threats. The latest version was released in 2021.

How It Works

1Broken Access Control: Failing to enforce permissions allows unauthorized actions.
2Cryptographic Failures: Weak protection of sensitive data in storage or during transmission.
3Injection: Malicious code is inserted into software through untrusted input.
4Insecure Design: Design flaws that lead to vulnerabilities.
5Security Misconfiguration: Incorrect settings or default configurations that expose risks.
6Vulnerable Components: Use of outdated or insecure libraries and frameworks.
7Authentication Failures: Weaknesses in verifying user identities.
8Data Integrity Failures: Lack of checks to ensure data accuracy and validity.
9Logging Failures: Poor logging and monitoring of security incidents.
10SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery): Manipulation of server requests to access unauthorized resources.

Key Characteristics

Regularly Updated: Keeps pace with the latest threat landscape.
Industry-Recognized: A global standard for web security.
Comprehensive Coverage: Addresses a wide range of vulnerabilities.

Comparison

Feature	OWASP Top 10	SANS Top 25
Focus	Web applications	Software generally
Number of Categories	10	25
Update Frequency	Every few years	Less frequently

Real-World Example

The Equifax breach in 2017, caused by not patching a known vulnerability (CVE-2017-5638), highlights the importance of addressing security misconfigurations and using vulnerable components.

Detection & Prevention

Use tools like OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite for scanning vulnerabilities.
Regularly update and patch all software components.
Implement strong authentication and proper access controls.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "Following the OWASP Top 10 ensures complete security." It is a starting point, not a complete solution.
Misconception 2: "OWASP Top 10 is only for developers." It's relevant to everyone involved in web security.
Misconception 3: "Only large organizations need it." Organizations of all sizes can benefit.

Keywords

what is OWASP Top 10OWASP Top 10 explainedOWASP Top 10 detectionOWASP Top 10 2021web application security risksOWASP Top 10 compliance

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