Useful tools

Advanced IP Scanner: a fast inventory of everything on the network

A free Windows network scanner for finding devices, addresses, and shares, and why you should only ever download it from one place.

You’ve inherited a network with no documentation, or a printer changed addresses overnight, or you need a quick list of what’s plugged in before an audit. Advanced IP Scanner gets you that list in a minute or two.

Tool What it’s for Business use Official download
Advanced IP Scanner Finding devices on a network Free advanced-ip-scanner.com

Download it only from the official site above. Security researchers documented a campaign that registered dozens of lookalike domains for Advanced IP Scanner and other IT scanning tools, then pushed them through search ads to deliver malware. If a search result looks like an ad, skip it and type the address yourself.

What it does

Advanced IP Scanner scans a range of addresses and lists every device that answers, with its name, IP address, MAC address, and manufacturer where it can tell. It can also show shared folders on the devices it finds and, where you have the rights, remotely shut computers down. It’s been published by Famatech since 2002 and ties in with Famatech’s Radmin remote-support product.

When to reach for it

  • Building a first inventory of an undocumented network
  • Finding a device that moved to a new address
  • Spotting something on the network that shouldn’t be there
  • A quick before-and-after check around a firewall or switch change

Things to keep in mind

  • Scan only what you’re responsible for. Scanning a network you don’t manage can look like an attack. On a client’s network, tell them before you scan.
  • Expect security tools to notice. Network scanning is also something intruders do. Your EDR or firewall may flag the activity, which is a good sign that it’s watching. Let whoever monitors those alerts know when you’re scanning.
  • It’s a snapshot. It shows what answered at that moment. A device that’s off or blocking responses won’t appear, so don’t treat one scan as a complete inventory.

Licensing fine print

Advanced IP Scanner is free from Famatech.

Official download: advanced-ip-scanner.com

Sources

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