Monitor your WiFI
IP Sniffer is a program that acts as a monitor to your network. It is not only a sniffer but rather a whole set of tools for internet protocol configurations. This free software enables you to watch over your WiFi connection with a critical eye so long as you have the expertise to use it. The primary function is to act as a packet sniffer.
Internet protection amplified
The internet has revolutionized our lives in many different ways. However, it opens up our data to many attacks from hackers. Erwan the developer of this program stepped in to help remedy this by developing the IP Sniffer.
This software works on all versions of the Windows operating system; however, it requires outside elements to be installed. Also, NDIS protocol Source, WinPcap, and Windows 2000’s raw socket must be implemented before it can work.
The importance of regulating what goes on a network cannot be understated. Businesses need to know who is accessing their software and who is using too much data. Malicious attacks come all the time and must be averted. These problems are what the IP Sniffer deals with.
What is IP sniffing and IP spoofing?
IP Sniffing is based on data packets. When you are communicating with a server, all the information gets sent in little collections of data one at a time. Each of these packets has an address on them that signifies where it came from.
All of this is moved and organized by the Transmission Control Protocol(TCP) or the Internet Protocol(IP). The TCP gives it a port number, and the IP gives it the IP address. After this, the PC sends it off to the internet.
Once it gets to the server, all this information is deleted off of it, and the process begins anew. This process is called routing the information. All this is done so that the information reaches the server it needs to go to.
IP Sniffing is the process of collecting all this data so that it can be analyzed afterward. IP spoofing works on the same method, except it is the reverse. Normally, you can track where the packets originate. However, when someone wants to attack your system, they use spoofing.
With this process, you can hide where the package is coming from by creating a fake IP address on the data’s header. By doing this, you send the info without the PC being able to figure out where it is coming from in a DDoS attack. Also, if they block the address, it won’t help as the attacker can easily change the code.
IP Sniffing is only legal when you are doing it within a personal network. If you use it on a public connection without consent that becomes a felony.
How do IP sniffers work?
While normally the information is deleted off the data packet when it reaches the server and moves to a new protocol, IP Sniffers capture the information and store it. They use the Network Interface Card to capture everything that passes over the server connection.
Normally this only works for the traffic on a specific wireless router. However, with some sniffers, you can oversee the multiple networks. Therefore you can see how the network is performing and analyze all incoming and outgoing packets in the server.
With a proper program, you have total control over your system. The admin can figure out where there is a lot of traffic being lost, what the people are using the internet for, and secure the network from intrusions. Some offer tools to improve the performance while presenting data analysis intuitively.
They can be a security risk as well. If a hacker manages to break into the system, he can use it for collecting passwords, intercepting information, and so on. It will give the person almost complete power.
Features and limitations of IP Sniffer
This program has the advantage of being a compilation of IP tools. It does more than just sniffing as it will alert the admin of possible unauthorized individuals on the connection. The software will block access to and from specific websites.
It has a variety of MS tools as well to boost its already significant abilities along with TCP abilities. It gives great access to the user to implement new passwords to block off parts of the connection and engage the system with greater security.
The Sniffer has a lot of potentials, but it is difficult to use. There is a lot of technical jargon within the system that will require advanced knowledge to understand how to set it up. The user interface is not attractive at all, and further compounds the challenge in understanding how to use it.
While it is compatible with all Windows OS, it does require a well-versed expert to get the proper system set-up. The program was designed to run on Windows 2000. It lacks community support even though it is free, unlike the popular Glasswire.
Other good IP Sniffers
Wireshark is the first alternative program that stands far above Sniffer. It has a strong internet fan group (because it free and open-source) that keeps it updated and safe. While it is rather difficult to use, it provides more tools and better protection through its filters.
If you are looking for something more intuitive but subscription-based, Paessler’s PRTG would be a good option. It is much easier to use than the ones before. Even so, it has a limited free version that does not have the extensive utility provided by Wireshark but is much simpler.
Glasswire has a beautiful visual model that stands above the rest. It is easiest to read and understand. While it provides a free version, it is more limited than PRTG’s edition. Also, Glasswire can only watch over the network connection that the local computer is directly attached to.
Outdated but still effective
Unfortunately, IP Sniffer falls short of the other leading competitors. It is difficult to use and maintain. However, it does provide great functions for those who understand how to use it. While it is not recommendable for most people, technically-minded individuals will find it extremely useful.
In the most recent updates, it has been revamped to work with the newer Windows OS while adding improved features for tracking traffic on the server.
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