ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is an open-source web application security scanner designed to identify vulnerabilities in web applications during development and testing phases. The tool operates as an intercepting proxy that sits between the user's browser and the web application, allowing it to analyze HTTP/HTTPS traffic and identify potential security issues. ZAP can perform both automated scanning and manual security testing capabilities. Key features include: - Automated vulnerability scanning for common web application security flaws - Manual testing tools for experienced security professionals - Proxy functionality for intercepting and modifying web traffic - Support for various authentication mechanisms - Integration capabilities with CI/CD pipelines - Extensible architecture through add-ons and plugins ZAP is maintained by an international team of volunteers and provides both GUI and command-line interfaces. The tool supports multiple operating systems and can be integrated into development workflows for continuous security testing.