Query data packet processing and network scanning method and apparatus

An apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to:
• encrypt a query data packet in accordance with a plurality of different keys to generate a plurality of differently encrypted query data packets, the differently encrypted query data packets including one or more fields configured to elicit a signature response from a target software;
• store, at a first time, a database comprising the differently encrypted query data packets;
• scan at least a portion of a network using the database that was stored at the first time, the scanning occurring at a second time that is later than the first time such that the scanning of the network does not require on-the-fly generation of additional encrypted query data packets;
• and
• analyze whether the network processes the signature response in response to the scanning using the database.

A method comprising:

• encrypting a query data packet in accordance with a plurality of different keys to generate a plurality of differently encrypted query data packets, the differently encrypted query data packets including one or more fields configured to elicit a signature response from a target software;
• storing, at a first time, a database comprising the differently encrypted query data packets;
• scanning a remote network device over a network, the scanning occurring at a second time that is later than the first time, the scanning using the database that was stored at the first time such that the scanning of the remote network device does not require on-the-fly generation of additional encrypted query data packets;
• and
• determining whether the remote network device processes the signature response.