A software is called agentless if there is no need to install unique software on every computer in a network in order to obtain data from each computer. This can also mean running security software on a computer from a network terminal without having to install an antivirus or threat detection software on each station. For someone interested in the latest intrusion detection, inspect a website that offers the latest agentless threat discovery methods.
Being able to scan any computer from the network terminal can be a blessing to network technicians. Any good IT worker can collect a wide variety of data from any computer in a network, but a specialty software can automate the task. If it is important to gather all the information on a computer such as open ports and recent remote access, then existing software can collect all this information and help make assessments for the network manager to inspect.
An agentless threat discovery has the ability to access a variety of other software that is already installed on a computer. A good example is an operating system, which has the power to collect data about the hardware of a computer and all the statistics it collects from native and third-party applications. There might be other software that is standard for gathering information, and a quality agentless solution might tap into that data.
In other cases, the agentless probe can scan the different ports on a network station and order a computer to analyze itself. It might be able to perform a malware scan remotely as opposed to running a software already on the computer. In fact, this technology is advanced to the point that some network solution providers are able to monitor a network from a distance and do most IT work that would normally be performed by a dedicated employee.
Threats are discovered by analyzing a network for vulnerabilities, a method referred to as penetration testing, and then by trying to find vulnerabilities that have already been exploited. If a port is open or if it is possible to break through a web browser or a hole in a firewall, then there is the possibility that someone else has. Finding suspicious access dates can be a clue to a break-in.
A company that provides a more comprehensive package might adjust their services based on their threat assessment. Someone running an agentless solution from the network terminal might make hard changes to the network. The point is having the right tools can find weak points faster so they can be plugged faster and with less wasted money.
