The $12 Network Security Tool That Found 47 Vulnerabilities

I ran a $12 vulnerability scanner on a "secure" Vancouver business network last month.

It found 47 vulnerabilities.

23 of them were critical.

The owner was shocked. "But we have a firewall!"

Here's what the scanner found—and why your network probably has similar gaps.

What the Scanner Found

Critical (Fix Immediately)

• 3 open ports with known exploits
• 2 unpatched servers (Windows Server 2012, end of support)
• Default admin passwords on 4 devices
• Unencrypted file sharing
• Outdated VPN software with known backdoor

High (Fix This Week)

• 7 computers without security updates
• 3 expired SSL certificates
• Weak WiFi password (8 characters, no complexity)
• Guest network with access to main network
• No network segmentation

Medium (Fix This Month)

• 12 computers with unnecessary software
• 6 accounts with excessive permissions
• 4 unused network devices still connected
• Logging not enabled on firewall
• No intrusion detection

Low (Fix When Convenient)

• Default device names revealing model numbers
• SNMP community strings set to "public"
• Outdated firmware on printers
• Unnecessary services running

Why Most Businesses Don't Know They Have Gaps

"We have a firewall" A firewall is like having a front door lock. But what about:

• The back door (WiFi)
• The windows (VPN)
• The garage (remote access)
• The mailbox (email)

"Our IT person handles security" Most IT people are generalists. They know how to set things up, not how attackers break in. "We haven't been breached" How do you know? Most breaches go undetected for 287 days. "We're too small to target" 60% of attacks target small businesses specifically because they lack security resources.

What a Professional Security Audit Includes

External Scan

• Port scanning
• Service enumeration
• Vulnerability detection
• SSL/TLS analysis
• Website security

Internal Scan

• Device inventory
• Patch status
• Password policies
• Network segmentation
• Access controls
• Encryption status

Physical Security

• Server room access
• Workstation locks
• Visitor policies
• Device disposal

Policy Review

• Password policies
• Acceptable use
• Incident response
• Backup procedures
• Employee training

Social Engineering Test

• Phishing simulation
• Phone pretexting
• Physical access attempts

Beawit Consulting's Security Audit

Comprehensive Assessment

• External + internal scanning
• Manual verification
• Configuration review
• Policy analysis
• Social engineering test

Prioritized Results

• Critical/High/Medium/Low
• Business impact rating
• Exploitation difficulty
• Remediation steps
• Cost estimates

Remediation Support

• Fix implementation
• Retesting
• Documentation
• Staff training
• Ongoing monitoring

The "Security Snapshot" (Free)

We offer a free security assessment: 1. External vulnerability scan 2. Internal network scan 3. Summary report 4. Risk rating 5. Remediation roadmap

Assessment takes 60 minutes. No obligation. To request your free security assessment:

• Call/text: 360-399-6834
• Email: jc.beasley@beawit.net
• Or reply "AUDIT" and we'll reach out

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About Beawit Consulting: JC Beasley, founder, recognized by Marquis Who's Who Top Business Owners for leadership in IT and a three-time recipient of the Best of Vancouver Award (2022, 2023, 2024) in the Technical Service category. Since 2017, providing professional security audits and vulnerability assessments for businesses throughout Southwest Washington and Portland. Service Areas: Vancouver WA | Portland OR | Clark County | Southwest Washington

--- Published: May 2026 | Tags: Network Security, Security Audit, Vulnerability Scan, Vancouver WA | Reading Time: 5 minutes