The network element can permit outbound ICMPv6 messages Packet-too-big (type 2), Echo Request (type 128), and Neighborhood Discovery (type 135-136). Remaining ICMPv6 messages must be blocked outbound.

Scanning will usually be the major stage of an information gathering process a malicious computer attacker will lunch against a targeted network. With this stage the malicious computer attacker will try to determine what the characteristics of the targeted network are. Techniques, such as host detection, service detection, network topology mapping, and operating system fingerprinting are often used. The data collected will be used to identify those Hosts (if any) that are running a network service, which may have a known vulnerability. This vulnerability may allow the malicious computer attacker to execute a remote exploit in order to gain unauthorized access to those systems. This unauthorized access may become the focal point to the whole targeted network.