Which tool is an approved Navy scanning utility for external port scans?

Nessus is recognized as an approved Navy scanning utility for performing external port scans due to its comprehensive vulnerability scanning capabilities. It can identify potential security risks in systems by examining open ports, services running on those ports, and known vulnerabilities associated with them. The software provides detailed reports outlining any discovered vulnerabilities, along with recommended remediation steps. Its ability to create accurate and informative reports makes it particularly valuable for organizations focused on maintaining strong cybersecurity postures.

Tools like Wireshark, while useful for network analysis and packet capturing, are not primarily designed for vulnerability scanning and external port scans. OpenVAS is a robust open-source option that can perform similar tasks, yet it may not have the same level of endorsement from naval authorities compared to Nessus. Metasploit is primarily a penetration testing tool, focused on exploiting vulnerabilities rather than scanning for them, and thus does not fit the purpose of conducting external port scans as clearly as Nessus does.