Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FlashStart VS OpenVAS

Compare FlashStart VS OpenVAS and see what are their differences

FlashStart logo FlashStart

The FlashStart Cloud is a web filter for malware protections and to manage unwanted and offensive internet content.

OpenVAS logo OpenVAS

The Open Vulnerability Assessment System (OpenVAS) is a framework of several services and tools...
  • FlashStart Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-30

FlashStart is a simple web filter ideal to integrate as part of an MSP, ISP or WISP service; FlashStart supports many integration possibilities such as APIs, BGP network integration, on-premise/near premise deployment models and White Labelling; service operations are controlled using a modern dashboard which is easy to use, scalable and supports multi-tenancy.

  • OpenVAS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22

FlashStart

Platforms
Web Windows iOS Mac OSX Google Chrome Android REST API Cross Platform Cloud
Release Date
2008 January

FlashStart features and specs

  • Effective Content Filtering
    FlashStart provides robust content filtering capabilities that can block malicious sites, inappropriate content, and can be customized to suit different organizational needs.
  • Easy to Implement
    The service is designed with simplicity in mind, making it straightforward to implement for businesses without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
  • Cloud-Based Solution
    Being a cloud-based service, FlashStart doesn't require any additional hardware, and updates are automatically managed, reducing maintenance efforts for IT teams.
  • Global Coverage
    FlashStart has a strong global presence, providing effective content filtering across multiple regions, which is ideal for multinational companies.
  • Customizable Policies
    Administrators can set up customizable policies that allow for a flexible approach to internet security tailored to different department needs or user groups.

Possible disadvantages of FlashStart

  • Subscription Costs
    As a subscription-based service, there are recurring costs which might not be suitable for very small businesses or budget-conscious organizations.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    Since FlashStart is a cloud-based solution, it requires stable internet connectivity to function effectively, which can be a drawback in areas with unreliable internet connections.
  • Limited Offline Protection
    While effective at filtering online content, FlashStart doesn't provide offline protection, which means it can't prevent threats from local or offline sources.
  • Potential Overblocking
    Like many content filtering solutions, there is a potential for overblocking, where legitimate sites or services might be blocked inadvertently, requiring manual adjustments by administrators.
  • Initial Configuration Complexity
    While generally easy to use, the initial setup might be complex for organizations that have unique network requirements or need high customization.

OpenVAS features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanning tool, which means it is free to use and the source code is available for customization.
  • Comprehensive Scanning
    It offers comprehensive vulnerability scanning capabilities, including a wide range of tests for network vulnerabilities, web application security, and compliance checks.
  • Regular Updates
    The tool receives regular updates, ensuring that it keeps up with the latest vulnerabilities and security threats.
  • Community Support
    OpenVAS has a strong community of users and developers who contribute to its development and provide support through forums and other channels.
  • Integration Capabilities
    OpenVAS can be integrated with other security tools and systems, enhancing its utility in a broader security infrastructure.

Possible disadvantages of OpenVAS

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up OpenVAS can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a fair amount of technical expertise.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running OpenVAS can be resource-intensive, potentially requiring significant CPU and memory, especially during large-scale scans.
  • False Positives
    Like many vulnerability scanning tools, OpenVAS can generate false positives, which can result in additional effort to validate findings.
  • User Interface
    The user interface can be less intuitive compared to some commercial vulnerability scanners, potentially increasing the learning curve for new users.
  • Limited Real-Time Capabilities
    OpenVAS is more focused on periodic scanning rather than real-time vulnerability detection and management.

Analysis of OpenVAS

Overall verdict

  • OpenVAS is a good choice for those seeking a reliable and free vulnerability management solution. However, users should be prepared for a potentially steep learning curve and the need for manual configuration to tailor the scanner to their specific environment.

Why this product is good

  • OpenVAS is a comprehensive open-source vulnerability scanner that is widely respected within the cybersecurity community. It provides extensive scanning capabilities, a regularly updated database of vulnerabilities, and supports a wide range of network protocols. The tool is versatile and can be integrated with other software for enhanced security operations. It is well-suited for detecting vulnerabilities in the network and identifying security issues that need to be addressed.

Recommended for

    OpenVAS is ideal for small to medium-sized organizations looking for a cost-effective vulnerability scanning solution. It's also suitable for cybersecurity professionals who have the technical expertise to configure and maintain the scanner, as well as enthusiasts or students who are keen on learning more about vulnerability management using open-source tools.

FlashStart videos

Overview of Flashstart

OpenVAS videos

How to find Exploits with OpenVAS

More videos:

  • Review - Vulnerability Analysis with OpenVAS | Scanning and Reconnaissance
  • Review - Vulnerability Identification and Remediation Cybrary Lab | Ep. 3 Kali Linux, OpenVAS, + more

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FlashStart and OpenVAS)
Monitoring Tools
15 15%
85% 85
Security
0 0%
100% 100
Web Security
100 100%
0% 0
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

FlashStart Reviews

We have no reviews of FlashStart yet.
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OpenVAS Reviews

Best Burp Suite Alternatives (Free and Paid) for 2023
The primary reason businesses use OpenVas is to perform comprehensive security testing of their IP addresses. This tool performs a port scan of an IP address to find any open services. Once listening services are found, they are tested for known vulnerabilities and misconfiguration using a large database of 53000 NVT checks. The results are compiled into a report that...
Burp suite alternatives
It is an open vulnerability assessment system is a software framework of services and tools offering vulnerability scanning and vulnerability assessment. The aim of OpenVAS protocol ia to be well documented to assist the developers. all products of OpenVAS are free, most components are licensed under the GNU, general public license. Its Plugins are written in NASL (Nessus...
Source: www.educba.com
10 Best Tenable Nessus Alternatives For 2021 [Updated List]
Verdict: OpenVAS is an open-source web application security scanner that will help you accurately detect vulnerabilities. It is easily configurable and can be tuned accordingly if you want to perform large-scale scans. Its use of updated data feeds makes it extremely efficient in detecting almost all types of vulnerabilities.
Best Nessus Alternatives (Free and Paid) for 2021
OpenVAS receives updates daily, which broadens the vulnerability detection coverage. It also helps in risk assessment and suggests countermeasures when the vulnerabilities in an application or network is detected.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenVAS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FlashStart mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FlashStart yet. Tracking of FlashStart recommendations started around Mar 2021.

OpenVAS mentions (6)

  • Link CVE to installed applications?
    Otherwise your on the right path checkout the open source Greenbones OpenVAS (this was Nessus before they closed source and became corporate) or Project Discovery Nuclei. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What should I be doing as the sole sysadmin for a company to keep up with security?
    Personally, I was lucky enough to get a license to Nessus for my own scanning, however you can use OpenVAS for some free to scan. Scanners aren't 100% correct no matter where you go but it'll give you some things to look at. OpenVAS. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Wanting to protect my own homelab
    Https://openvas.org/ OpenVAS is free and fairly capable. It might struggle cpu on a pi... Might need quite a bit of ram, but I'm hoping you've got some beefier kit in your stack. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Free nessus equivalent?
    Maybe OpenVAS would fill the bill. Itโ€™s been on my list of things to check out. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Internal Vulnerability Scanning
    OpenVAS - https://openvas.org Try it first, its free, just download a prebuilt VM and you're off and running. I found it valuable for my clients. Source: about 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FlashStart and OpenVAS, you can also consider the following products

SPS Threat Avert - Is your network protected from DNS Tunneling and DDoS attacks, including PRSD and amplification?

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

WebTitan - WebTitan is an advanced DNS based web content filter and web security layer that blocks malware, ransomware and phishing attempts as well as providing web content control. Cloud and gateway versions available.

Burp Suite - Burp Suite is an integrated platform for performing security testing of web applications.

Threat Insight - Browse Threat Insight information, resources, news, and blog posts. Gain the insights you need to prevent cybersecurity threats and protect your organization.

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