Dictionary · Hacking Techniques and Methodologies
Port Scanning
Assessment phases · Beginner
Sending probes to learn which ports on an authorized host respond, and whether they look open, closed, or filtered.
A scan is an inventory question: who answers? Administrators use it to find forgotten services. The same probes against a network you do not own are not a practice exercise.
Example: A permitted scan shows TCP 443 open and TCP 23 filtered. The team confirms the web service and keeps the legacy terminal closed.
Common misconception
- Open means the port accepted a connection during the scan. It does not mean the service is safe or that login is allowed.