Nessus is one of the most popular vulnerability scanners used by security professionals to identify potential weaknesses in systems and networks. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install and use Nessus on Debian 12. These instructions are applicable whether you're working on a local machine or on a Windows VPS UK, VPS UK Windows, or any UK Windows VPS environment.

Step 1: Download Nessus

First, you'll need to download the Nessus installer. Connect to your Debian 12 server (this can be a local server or a Windows Virtual Private Server Hosting solution) and run the following commands:

cd /tmp
wget https://www.tenable.com/downloads/api/v1/public/pages/nessus/downloads/12840/download?i_agree_to_tenable_license_agreement=true -O Nessus.deb
        

This will download the latest version of Nessus for Debian systems.

Step 2: Install Nessus

Once the download is complete, you can install Nessus by running:

sudo dpkg -i Nessus.deb

If you encounter any dependency issues during installation, you can resolve them by running:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

This command will ensure all necessary dependencies are installed on your Windows Virtual Private Servers or any VPS Windows Servers running Debian 12.

Step 3: Start Nessus and Enable it on Boot

After installing Nessus, you need to start its service and enable it to run on system boot:

sudo systemctl start nessusd
sudo systemctl enable nessusd
        

With this command, Nessus will begin running in the background on your Debian 12 server, whether it's hosted on a Windows VPS Italy, UK VPS Windows, or any other Windows Virtual Dedicated Server Hosting environment.

Step 4: Access the Nessus Web Interface

To configure Nessus, open your web browser and navigate to https://your_server_ip:8834. If you’re using a Windows VPS Hosting UK solution, you’ll need to use the public IP of your VPS. This will load the Nessus setup page.

Step 5: Configure Nessus

Once you reach the setup page, follow these steps:

1. Select the "Nessus Essentials" option for free vulnerability scanning.
2. Create an account on the Nessus website to obtain your activation code.
3. Enter the activation code and wait for Nessus to complete the plugin updates, which might take a few minutes.

Once the setup is complete, you can log in to the Nessus dashboard and start scanning your Windows Virtual Private Server Hosting or any network attached to your VPS Windows Hosting environment.

Step 6: Using Nessus to Scan for Vulnerabilities

After logging into the Nessus dashboard, you can begin your first scan by following these steps:

1. Click on "New Scan."
2. Select the type of scan you want to perform, such as a basic network scan or an advanced scan.
3. Enter the target IP address or range of IPs to scan. If you’re using a Windows Server VPS or VPS Windows Servers setup, enter the IP addresses of those servers.
4. Configure any additional options as needed, then click "Launch."

Nessus will begin scanning for vulnerabilities, and once the scan is complete, you can view the results in the dashboard.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily install and use Nessus Vulnerability Scanner on Debian 12. Whether you’re using a Windows VPS UK, UK VPS Windows, or any other Windows Virtual Private Server Hosting, Nessus will help you identify potential security issues and protect your system. For more reliable hosting solutions, check out Windows VPS UK for Windows Virtual Dedicated Server Hosting and Windows VPS Hosting UK services.