Nikto
Nikto is an open-source web server scanner that checks for dangerous files, outdated server software and common misconfigurations.
Legal & ethical use. Nikto is noisy and easily detected; use it only on servers you are authorised to test. Use this tool only on systems, networks and data that you own or have explicit written permission to test. Unauthorised access or scanning can break computer-misuse laws (for example Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and equivalents elsewhere). Practise in your own lab or in authorised environments such as CTFs.
What it is used for
- Quick health check of a web server you administer
- Spot default files and insecure configuration in a lab
Key features
- Checks thousands of known files and issues
- Server and plugin version detection
- Multiple report formats
Installation
Install from your distribution (for example `sudo apt install nikto`) or clone the GitHub repository.
Beginner usage guide
Run it against your own test server and review each finding critically: some lines are informational and need manual confirmation.
Example commands
Run these only against your own lab or authorised targets. Placeholder addresses such as 192.0.2.x are documentation ranges.
Scan a lab web server
nikto -h http://192.0.2.10-h specifies the target host or URL.
References
Source verification
Last reviewed: 2026-10-27
Links checked over HTTP: 2026-10-27 07:51 UTC — official: 200, docs: 200, repo: 200
Command flags checked against the real binary nikto (Nikto 2.6.1 (LW 2.5)) on 2026-10-27.