For each agent that you install, you must have a license available, or the machine(s) won't show up on your targets page. (eg. If you're installing the agent onto 10 machines, you must have 10 licenses available.)
Please note, each machine must have a unique device name; if you use the same name as an existing internal target, it won't work.
Step 1: Download the agent installer
1. Head to the targets page > select Add target > Internal targets
2. Choose between a Single agent deployment (providing instructions and a link to download the agent for the machine) or Mass deployment (providing the parameters you need for your installation script).
If choosing Single Agent deployment:
3. Enter the details for the machine you wish to scan:
👉 Operating System
👉 Operating System version
👉 Your device name (this must be unique and contain only letters, numbers, or hyphens)
👉 Tag(s) (optional)
➡️ Hit 'Download agent'
You should see something similar to this:
Step 2: Install the agent
Double-click on the .dmg file and then double-click the "Install Nessus Agent.pkg" installer. Follow the steps on the machine to complete the installation process.
Step 3: Install the agent
👉 Open terminal
👉 Copy the command and run it
If you see a prompt for a password, enter your computer's password and hit return. (Don't worry that you may not be able to see any of the characters that you're typing – this is normal).
When the linking command has run successfully, you'll see this 👇 :
👉 Once linked, it'll look something like this:
What do the statuses mean?
Status Message | Meaning |
Ready  | The agent is successfully installed and linked, and the target is ready to scan. |
Agent!  | The target has been added to Intruder, but the agent needs to be installed and/or linked.
|
Agent!  | There is an issue with the agent. Confirm the agent is properly installed and linked.
|
If you have any trouble, please click the button below:
Note: Internal vulnerability scanning is only available to Pro, Enterprise, and Vanguard customers.