7 June 2023
A security analyst is a key position in any IT company that aims to protect its digital assets from potential threats. To perform their duties effectively, security analysts need to familiarize themselves with a number of tools to help them detect, prevent, and respond to security breaches. Security analyst tools can be diverse, including network traffic analysis programs, intrusion detection tools, malware analysis programs, and systems auditing and change tracking tools. But it’s important to remember that the tools themselves are only part of the solution. A security analyst must not only be able to use these tools effectively, but also have a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, including attack techniques, defenses, and incident response strategies.
Therefore, in addition to owning tools, it is important to continuously improve your skills, learn new technologies and trends in the field of cyber security. Don’t forget, too, the importance of developing soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and problem solving, which are necessary to be a successful security analyst. Ultimately, a security analyst’s toolkit is only part of his professional arsenal. Success in this field requires constant learning, flexibility and willingness to adapt to new challenges.
VirusTotal is one of the most popular online malware analysis tools. It allows you to upload files, IP addresses, hashes and URLs for scanning by multiple antivirus engines.
URLScan can scan URLs for potential security threats. It uses a combination of reputation checking and static analysis to detect malicious content and generate detailed inferences.
Allows you to intercept suspicious URLs and check website links for compatibility and security issues. Supports a wide range of browsers and operating systems, providing real-time visualization analysis.
It is a popular search engine for Internet-connected devices, often used by security researchers and penetration testers. The tool can help identify vulnerable IoT systems and servers by providing detailed information about their operating systems.
Spur is an open source threat intelligence platform that enables security analysts to collect, analyze and share threat intelligence data. The tool provides real-time monitoring, advanced IP and endpoint analytics, automatic threat detection and response capabilities.
It is an online malware analysis platform that analyzes suspicious files and URLs in a secure sandbox environment. The tool provides comprehensive data on the behavior and potential impact of analyzed content, helping analysts identify potential threats.
Phish Tank is a community-driven database of known malicious websites that can help identify phishing targets. Security professionals and enthusiasts can add to the database by reporting new phishing sites.
CheckPhish.ai is an AI-powered phishing detection tool that quickly identifies threats. The tool uses advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze email content, IP addresses, and domain names.
It is an open threat intelligence platform where you can access and share threat intelligence data. The tool also includes real-time monitoring, threat analytics, and network and endpoint response.
Another online malware analysis platform that allows security analysts to run and analyze suspicious files and URLs in a safe and controlled environment. The tool provides real-time behavioral.
Another great tool I came across recently. This app provides a safe browsing environment to check suspicious links and browse with increased privacy. Think of it as a “recorder phone” for browsing the web.
This is a built-in feature in Windows 10/11 that allows security analysts to safely run and evaluate untrusted programs and files. The tool creates a secure isolated environment that does not affect the OS.
This is a web-based tool that allows you to assess and resolve connectivity issues with Microsoft Office 365 and Exchange Server. Provides detailed reports and diagnostic information to help system administrators identify problems.
PolySwarm is a decentralized threat intelligence marketplace that allows security analysts to access and share threat intelligence data. Features include advanced threat analytics, automatic triage and early detection, and response capabilities.
Whether you’re looking for bug bounties or doing OSINT research, DNSDumpster is great for scouting. It provides detailed information about DNS records and domains. One of my favorite features is the graphical representation of the results.
