Rapid7 FAQ

Answers to your most common questions about Rapid7.

Quick, simple, and helpful information at a glance.

What is Rapid7?
Rapid7 is a cybersecurity company that provides vulnerability management and penetration testing solutions.
What is a vulnerability?
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system or application that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or cause harm.
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing is a simulated cyber attack on a system or network to identify any vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
How does Rapid7 help with vulnerability management?
Rapid7 offers a vulnerability management solution that scans for and prioritizes vulnerabilities in your system or network, allowing you to take proactive measures to secure your assets.
What is the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?
A vulnerability scan is an automated process that identifies vulnerabilities, while a penetration test is a manual process where a tester attempts to exploit identified vulnerabilities.
How does Rapid7 prioritize vulnerabilities?
Rapid7 takes into account the severity of the vulnerability, the potential impact on the system, and the likelihood of exploitation when prioritizing vulnerabilities.
Can I customize the vulnerability scan parameters in Rapid7?
Yes, you can customize the scan frequency, duration, target systems, and scan types in Rapid7.
What is a false positive in a vulnerability scan?
A false positive is a report of a vulnerability that does not actually exist in the system.
How does Rapid7 handle false positives?
Rapid7 has built-in mechanisms to reduce false positives, but you can also manually review and mark false positives.
What is a false negative in a vulnerability scan?
A false negative is a failure to report a real vulnerability in the system.
How does Rapid7 handle false negatives?
Rapid7 constantly updates its vulnerability database to reduce the occurrence of false negatives. You can also report any false negatives to their support team.
Can I schedule vulnerability scans in Rapid7?
Yes, you can schedule scans to run at specific times and intervals in Rapid7.
What is an exploit?
An exploit is a program or code that takes advantage of a vulnerability to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or cause harm to a system.
What is the difference between a vulnerability and an exploit?
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system or application, while an exploit is a technique or code used to exploit that weakness.
What is a denial of service (DoS) attack?
A DoS attack is an attempt to overwhelm a system or network with a large volume of traffic, resulting in a disruption of services.
How does Rapid7 protect against DoS attacks?
Rapid7 has mitigation techniques in place to prevent and combat DoS attacks.
What is a buffer overflow?
A buffer overflow is a type of vulnerability where a program or application receives more data than it can handle, potentially leading to a system crash or unauthorized access.
How does Rapid7 detect buffer overflows?
Rapid7 uses various techniques such as fuzzing and code review to identify potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
Can I integrate Rapid7 with other security tools?
Yes, Rapid7 has the ability to integrate with other security tools and systems to provide a more comprehensive security solution.
What is the Metasploit Framework?
The Metasploit Framework is an open-source penetration testing and vulnerability exploitation tool used by security professionals to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Can I use Metasploit Framework with Rapid7?
Yes, Rapid7 acquired Metasploit in 2009 and it is now part of their product suite.
What is a firewall?
A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, acting as a barrier between a secure internal network and the internet.
How does a firewall protect my network?
A firewall filters network traffic based on predetermined rules, blocking unauthorized access and malicious traffic from entering the network.
What is a SQL injection vulnerability?
A SQL injection vulnerability is a type of vulnerability where an attacker can manipulate a website or application's database by inserting malicious SQL statements.
How does Rapid7 detect and mitigate SQL injection vulnerabilities?
Rapid7 uses techniques such as static code analysis and web application firewalls to identify and prevent SQL injection attacks.
What is a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack?
A MitM attack is when an unauthorized third-party intercepts and alters communication between two parties, potentially gaining access to sensitive information.
How does Rapid7 protect against MitM attacks?
Rapid7 offers a secure communication channel within their products and also provides guidance to secure communication in customer environments.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a social engineering attack where an attacker uses fake emails or websites to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information.
How does Rapid7 help with phishing prevention?
Rapid7 offers phishing simulation exercises and training to educate and raise awareness of phishing attacks among employees.
Can I receive alerts for new vulnerabilities in my system?
Yes, Rapid7 provides real-time alerts for new vulnerabilities that are detected in your system.
How often is the vulnerability database in Rapid7 updated?
The vulnerability database is updated daily in Rapid7.
Can I view reports of past vulnerability scans?
Yes, Rapid7 stores a history of all previous scans, and you can view and export reports for analysis.
What is a CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) number?
A CVE number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific vulnerability or exposure in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database.
How do I report a vulnerability in Rapid7's products?
You can report vulnerabilities in Rapid7's products through their vulnerability disclosure program: https://www.rapid7.com/securitydisclosure/