```bash
sudo nmap -sC target_ip_addr #performs default NSE scripts
sudo nmap --script <category> target_ip_addr #performs specific NSE script category
sudo nmap --script <script_name>, <script_name>, ... target_ip_addre #performs list of defined scripts
```
| Category | Description |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| auth | determination of authentication creds |
| broadcast | used for host discovery by broadcasting |
| brute | executes scripts that try to login to respective service by brute-forcing creds |
| default | default scripts using `-sC` option |
| discovery | evaluation of accessible services |
| dos | used to check services fore DOS vulns; **warning:** may harm services |
| exploit | used to exploit known vulns for scanned ports |
| external | use external services for further processing |
| fuzzer | identifies vulns and unexpected packet handling by sending different fields |
| intrusive | intrusice scripts that may harm target |
| malware | checks is some malware infects target system |
| safe | defensive scripts that do not perform intrusive or destructive access |
| version | extension of service detection |
| vuln | identification of specific vulns |
## example defined scripts
- banner
- smtp-commands