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skipfish VS Zed Attack Proxy

Compare skipfish VS Zed Attack Proxy and see what are their differences

skipfish logo skipfish

A fully automated, active web application security reconnaissance tool.

Zed Attack Proxy logo Zed Attack Proxy

The Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is an easy to use integrated penetration testing tool for finding...
  • skipfish Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • Zed Attack Proxy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-16

skipfish features and specs

  • High-Speed Scanning
    Skipfish is designed to be fast, performing HTTP connections and handling multiple requests concurrently, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to scan a web application.
  • Recursive Crawling
    Skipfish employs recursive crawling and wordlists to discover hidden files and directories, providing a more comprehensive assessment of the target web application.
  • Effective Detection
    The tool is capable of identifying a wide range of security issues such as SQL injection, XSS, and other common web vulnerabilities through fuzzing techniques.
  • Minimal False Positives
    Skipfish is known for producing results with fewer false positives compared to other automated scanners, leading to more reliable outputs.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, Skipfish allows users to inspect, modify, and improve upon the source code according to their needs.

Possible disadvantages of skipfish

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The tool can be complex for beginners due to a lack of a graphical user interface (GUI) and the need for command-line proficiency, making it less approachable for those new to web security scanning.
  • Limited Support
    As an archived project on Google Code, Skipfish no longer receives updates or official support, which could be a limitation for users looking for the latest security testing features.
  • Resource Intensive
    The high speed and intensive scanning techniques may consume significant bandwidth and resources, potentially impacting the performance of the network and systems being tested.
  • Lack of Detailed Reporting
    The reporting features of Skipfish are relatively basic and might not meet the needs of users who require extensive details and customization in their security reports.
  • Potential for Overload
    Due to its aggressive scanning nature, there is a risk of overwhelming the target server, especially if not configured properly beforehand.

Zed Attack Proxy features and specs

  • Open Source
    Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is open-source software, which means it's free to use and the source code is available for modification and improvement by the community.
  • Active Community
    ZAP has a robust and active community that contributes to its continuous improvement, provides support, and develops plugins and extensions.
  • Ease of Use
    ZAP is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Comprehensive Toolset
    ZAP offers a wide range of tools and features for automated and manual testing of web applications, including spidering, scanning, proxying, and reporting.
  • Cross-Platform
    ZAP runs on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing flexibility for users regardless of their operating system.

Possible disadvantages of Zed Attack Proxy

  • Performance Issues
    ZAP can be resource-intensive, which might lead to performance slowdowns, especially when scanning large applications or using a lot of active scan rules.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic functions are user-friendly, utilizing advanced features and customizations can require a deeper understanding and can be complex for newcomers.
  • Plugin Dependency
    Relying on community-developed plugins can sometimes be problematic if they are not updated in line with the core tool, potentially leading to compatibility issues.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    Since ZAP is open source, it lacks dedicated commercial support, which may be a disadvantage for enterprises requiring guaranteed support services.
  • False Positives
    As with many security scanning tools, ZAP may generate false positives, which requires manual verification and can add to the time and effort required in a security assessment.

skipfish videos

Penetration Test with Skipfish

More videos:

  • Review - Skipfish Web Application Security Scanner Kali Linux tools [Hindi]
  • Review - Information Gathering with Kali Linux : Using skipfish to Explore a Web Server & App|packtpub.com

Zed Attack Proxy videos

Zed Attack Proxy ZAP Tutorial #6 - Forced Browsing

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Zed Attack Proxy ZAP Tutorial #2 - ein einfacher Angriff
  • Tutorial - Zed Attack Proxy ZAP Tutorial #11 - Kontexte - Authentifikation und mehr

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to skipfish and Zed Attack Proxy)
Monitoring Tools
50 50%
50% 50
Web Application Security
32 32%
68% 68
Security
49 49%
51% 51
Network & Admin
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing skipfish and Zed Attack Proxy, you can also consider the following products

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

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

Shodan - Shodan is the world's first search engine for Internet-connected devices.

Verimatrix App Security - Verimatrix App Security offers 24/7 protection for Android and iOS applications.

Horangi - Horangi is a leading cyber-security solution that provides instant response and threat detection for companies who lack the time and expertise to monitor their system.

MicroFocus DevInspect - DevInspect is a secure coding tool designed specifically for developers who need agile development but cannot compromise on application security.