ARP Ping Scan
ARP Ping Scan is a network reconnaissance technique used to discover and map devices on a local area network (LAN) by sending Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) requests and analyzing responses. In an ARP ping scan, the scanning tool sends ARP request packets to all possible IP addresses within a specified range on the network. Devices on the network respond to ARP requests with their MAC addresses, allowing the scanning tool to determine which IP addresses are active and reachable. ARP ping scans are stealthier than traditional ping sweeps using Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) because they operate at the data link layer and do not require administrative privileges. However, ARP ping scans are limited to the local subnet and may not detect devices across network segments or behind routers. ARP ping scans are commonly used in network reconnaissance and vulnerability assessment to identify active hosts and gather information about network topology. Implementing measures such as network segmentation, access controls, and intrusion detection systems (IDS) can help mitigate the risks associated with ARP ping scans. More information about ARP ping scans can be found at https://nmap.org/book/nping-man-arpscan.html.