Censys vs Cobalt Strike

Struggling to choose between Censys and Cobalt Strike? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Censys is a Security & Privacy solution with tags like search-engine, cybersecurity, device-scanning.

It boasts features such as Internet-wide search engine for devices, Scans IPv4 space for open ports and services, Provides details on software versions, certificates, and more, API access for automated queries, Customizable search filters, Historical data on changes over time and pros including Comprehensive visibility into Internet-connected assets, Helps identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, Useful for penetration testing, network mapping, and threat hunting, Powerful API for integrating into workflows, Free tier available with generous usage limits.

On the other hand, Cobalt Strike is a Security & Privacy product tagged with penetration-testing, red-team, exploit, cybersecurity, network-security.

Its standout features include Beacon payload generation, Command and control, Scriptable post-exploitation, Social engineering attacks, Malleable C2 profiles, Network profiling and host enumeration, and it shines with pros like Powerful post-exploitation capabilities, Evasion techniques to avoid detection, Flexible communication protocols, Integrates with Metasploit, Customizable to mimic real attacks.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Censys

Censys

Censys is a search engine that allows users to view information on servers, websites, and devices that are connected to the internet. It provides insights into open ports, software versions, IP addresses, and more to improve cybersecurity.

Categories:
search-engine cybersecurity device-scanning

Censys Features

  1. Internet-wide search engine for devices
  2. Scans IPv4 space for open ports and services
  3. Provides details on software versions, certificates, and more
  4. API access for automated queries
  5. Customizable search filters
  6. Historical data on changes over time

Pricing

  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Comprehensive visibility into Internet-connected assets

Helps identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations

Useful for penetration testing, network mapping, and threat hunting

Powerful API for integrating into workflows

Free tier available with generous usage limits

Cons

Limited coverage of IPv6 space

No built-in vulnerability scanning

Can only view limited details without a paid account

Data not updated in real time

Requires technical knowledge to use effectively


Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike is a commercial penetration testing tool used to simulate adversarial attacks against networks. It helps testers find vulnerabilities and gain access similar to real-world threats.

Categories:
penetration-testing red-team exploit cybersecurity network-security

Cobalt Strike Features

  1. Beacon payload generation
  2. Command and control
  3. Scriptable post-exploitation
  4. Social engineering attacks
  5. Malleable C2 profiles
  6. Network profiling and host enumeration

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Powerful post-exploitation capabilities

Evasion techniques to avoid detection

Flexible communication protocols

Integrates with Metasploit

Customizable to mimic real attacks

Cons

Expensive licensing model

Steep learning curve

Can only be used legally for penetration testing

Advanced features require additional licensing