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Acunetix VS Defender

Compare Acunetix VS Defender and see what are their differences

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Acunetix logo Acunetix

Audit your website security and web applications for SQL injection, Cross site scripting and other...

Defender logo Defender

Encompassing security solution for WordPress.
  • Acunetix Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-13
  • Defender Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28

Acunetix features and specs

  • Comprehensive Vulnerability Scanning
    Acunetix offers a thorough and detailed scan of websites, identifying a wide range of vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, XSS, and more.
  • Advanced Automation
    The tool automates much of the scanning process, reducing the need for manual interventions and speeding up the identification of security flaws.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Acunetix comes with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible even for users who are not cybersecurity experts.
  • Continuous Monitoring
    It provides continuous security monitoring, keeping track of any changes in the web application that could introduce new vulnerabilities.
  • Comprehensive Reporting
    The tool offers detailed reporting features that provide insights into found vulnerabilities, making it easier to understand and fix security issues.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Acunetix can be integrated with various CI/CD pipelines and other security tools, enhancing its utility in a modern DevOps environment.

Possible disadvantages of Acunetix

  • Cost
    Acunetix can be relatively expensive, especially for small businesses or independent developers who might find it cost-prohibitive.
  • Resource Intensive
    The scanning process can be resource-intensive, requiring significant server resources and sometimes impacting the performance of the application being scanned.
  • False Positives
    While advanced, the scanner can sometimes generate false positives, which require time and expertise to manually verify.
  • Limited Mobile App Scanning
    Acunetix primarily focuses on web applications and offers limited capabilities when it comes to scanning mobile apps.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may still face a learning curve to fully understand and utilize all the features effectively.
  • Customization
    Some users have reported that the tool's customization options are not as extensive as they would like, limiting the ability to tailor scans to specific needs.

Defender features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security Features
    Defender offers a wide array of security tools including malware scanning, firewall protection, and vulnerability detection, which help in securing WordPress sites effectively.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The plugin features an intuitive dashboard that makes it easy for users to manage security settings and understand potential threats, even with minimal technical knowledge.
  • Regular Updates
    Defender is updated regularly to ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress versions and to incorporate the latest security practices.
  • Detailed Reporting
    Provides detailed security reports and activity logs, allowing users to track and analyze security threats and make informed decisions about website protection.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Offers various pricing plans, including a free version, making it accessible for small to large businesses to enhance their website security.

Possible disadvantages of Defender

  • Resource Intensive
    Running extensive scans and certain features can be resource-heavy, potentially slowing down website performance on less powerful hosting environments.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, users unfamiliar with security concepts might require some time to fully understand and use all features effectively.
  • Limited Free Features
    Some advanced features and functionality are only available in the premium version, which might limit effectiveness for users relying solely on the free version.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Occasional compatibility issues might arise with certain themes or plugins, which could require troubleshooting or support intervention.
  • Support Limitations
    While support is available, it is more responsive and comprehensive for premium members, which might be a drawback for users on the free plan.

Analysis of Acunetix

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Acunetix is considered a good tool for web vulnerability scanning, particularly valued for its extensive database of vulnerabilities and efficient scanning effectiveness. Its capabilities make it a preferred option for organizations looking to enhance their web security posture.

Why this product is good

  • Acunetix is regarded as a robust web vulnerability scanner designed to find vulnerabilities in web applications. It is praised for its comprehensive scanning capabilities, ease of use, speed, and the breadth of vulnerabilities it can detect. The tool helps in identifying and fixing potential security issues before they can be exploited.

Recommended for

  • Organizations looking for an automated web vulnerability scanner
  • Security teams aiming to identify security weaknesses in web applications
  • Developers who need a reliable tool to integrate into their security processes
  • Businesses seeking to comply with security standards and best practices

Acunetix videos

How to Perform Security Testing Using Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner Tool

More videos:

  • Review - Acunetix - Best Web Application Security Scanner @Web Hacking
  • Review - Acunetix Quick-start Guide

Defender videos

Rugged Luxury at its BEST - 2020 Land Rover Defender Review

More videos:

  • Review - Land Rover Defender 2021 in-depth on and off-road REVIEW
  • Review - FIRST DRIVE! New Land Rover Defender Review 4K | Top Gear

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Acunetix and Defender)
Cyber Security
100 100%
0% 0
CDN
0 0%
100% 100
Security
100 100%
0% 0
Web Application Security
82 82%
18% 18

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Acunetix and Defender

Acunetix Reviews

10 Best Burp Suite Alternatives For Windows In 2023
Verdict: Operating on two unique threat detecting technologies, Acunetix performs fast scans to detect vulnerabilities accurately in an application, API, or website. It is easy to deploy and caters to the sensibilities of non-technical employees. This quality alone makes Acunetix a better alternative to Burp Suite.
Best Burp Suite Alternatives (Free and Paid) for 2023
Acunetix by Invicti is the market leader in providing automated web application security testing and is the software of choice for many Fortune 500 customers. It can detect and report on a wide array of web application vulnerabilities. Acunetix integrates with popular Issue Trackers and WAFs and is also available on Windows and Linux.
9 Best Angry IP Scanner Alternatives Reviewed 2021 (Free & Paid)
Acunetix is a powerful network and web application scanner that can help you discover open ports, hidden services, and vulnerabilities across your network. Acunetix is unique in combining both web scanning, and network scanning into one easy to use graphical tool that’s compatible for both Windows and Linux.
10 Best Tenable Nessus Alternatives For 2021 [Updated List]
Acunetix is an intuitive and easy-to-use web application security scanner. Its setup is very simple, with no need for lengthy configurations. The platform can scan all types of pages, APIs, and complex web applications. These include pages that contain lots of HTML5 and JavaScript. Acunetix can perform lightning-fast scans without overloading the server.
Best Nessus Alternatives (Free and Paid) for 2021
It offers advanced Vulnerability Management features right into its core, prioritizing risks based on data through a consolidated view. Acunetix also offers the ability to automate your scan. It is suitable for large-scale organizations as it can handle many devices on a network. HSBC, NASA, USA Air force are few giants that use Acunetix for vulnerability tests.

Defender Reviews

We have no reviews of Defender yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Acunetix and Defender, you can also consider the following products

HackerOne - HackerOne provides a platform designed to streamline vulnerability coordination and bug bounty program by enlisting hackers.

Wordfence - Comprehensive security plugin for WordPress.

Intruder - Intruder is a security monitoring platform for internet-facing systems.

iThemes Security - Security plugin that provides over 30+ ways to secure and protect your WordPress site.

Nessus - Nessus Professional is a security platform designed for businesses who want to protect the security of themselves, their clients, and their customers.

NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) - A true Web Application Firewall to secure and protect WordPress.