Configure a Tenable Nessus Scan for SSH Host-Based Checks

Tenable Nessus allows you to configure your scan configurations with the credentials needed for local Linux checks. You can do so during the Create a Scan process, or you can add credentials to an existing scan configuration.

If you have not already done so, secure-copy the private and public key files to the system that you plan to use to access the Tenable Nessus scanner, as described in Credentialed Checks on Linux.

To configure SSH host-based checks in the Tenable Nessus user interface:

1. In the top navigation bar, click Scans.

   The My Scans page appears.

2. Do one of the following:
   

   • Click New Scan to create a new scan and select a template.

   • Click My Scans in the left navigation bar, choose an existing scan, then click the Configure button.

3. Click the Credentials tab.
4. Select SSH.
5. In the Authentication method drop-down box, select an authentication method.

6. Configure the remaining settings.

7. Click the Save button.