Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Security Administrator's Integrated Network Tool
     
         (SAINT, originally "Security
        Administrator Tool for Analyzing Networks", SATAN) A tool
        written by Dan Farmer and Wietse Venema which remotely probes
        systems via the {network} and stores its findings in a
        {database}.  The results can be viewed with an {web browser}.
        SAINT requires {Perl} 5.000 or better.
     
        In its simplest mode, SAINT gathers as much information about
        remote hosts and networks as possible by examining such
        network services as {finger}, {NFS}, {NIS}, {FTP}, {TFTP},
        {rexd}, and other services.  The information gathered includes
        the presence of various network information services as well
        as potential security flaws - usually in the form of
        incorrectly setup or configured network services, well-known
        {bugs} in system or network utilities, or poor or ignorant
        policy decisions.  It can then either report on this data or
        use a simple rule-based system to investigate any potential
        security problems.  Users can then examine, query, and analyze
        the output with a {web browser}.  While the program is
        primarily geared toward analysing the security implications
        of the results, a great deal of general network information
        can be gained when using the tool - network topology, network
        services running, and types of hardware and software being
        used on the network.
     
        SAINT can also be used in exploratory mode.  Based on the
        initial data collection and a user configurable ruleset, it
        will examine the avenues of trust and dependency and iterate
        further data collection runs over secondary hosts.  This not
        only allows the user to analyse his own network, but also to
        examine the real implications inherent in network trust and
        services and help them make reasonably educated decisions
        about the security level of the systems involved.
     
        {Home (http://www.wwdsi.com/saint/)}.
     
        {Old SATAN page (http://www.fish.com/satan/)}.
     
        {Mailing list (http://www.wwdsi.com/saint/list_server.html)}.
     
        (2000-08-12)