Recon-ng
Recon-ng is a modular web reconnaissance framework with a Metasploit-like interface and a built-in database.
Legal & ethical use. 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
- Organise OSINT collection for a scoped engagement
- Learn modular recon workflows
Key features
- Module marketplace
- Workspaces and database
- Reporting modules
Installation
Install from your distribution or clone the repository (Python); modules are installed from its marketplace.
Beginner usage guide
Create a workspace per engagement, add your own domain, install a few modules and review what each one writes to the database.
Example commands
Run these only against your own lab or authorised targets. Placeholder addresses such as 192.0.2.x are documentation ranges.
Start the framework
recon-ngThen use `marketplace search` and `modules load` inside the console.
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 recon-ng (5.1.2) on 2026-10-27.