Ethical Hacking - Sniffing Tools
Last Updated :
23 Jul, 2025
Packet Sniffing is the process of expanding monitors checks every packet that passes through any network. Packet Sniffers will give network administrators the to monitor their networks and get insights into that. Thus, you can detect the root cause of network issues, troubleshoot the networking issues, traffic analyzing, the bandwidth of management, and network security and compliance to deal with it.
Lists of some main Networking Sniffing Tools:
- Auvik
- SolarWinds Network Packet Sniffer
- Wireshark
- Paessler PRTG
- ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer
- Tcpdump
- WinDump
- NetworkMiner
- BetterCAP
- Ettercap
- OmniPeek
- Dsniff
- EtherApe
- MSN Sniffer
- NetWitness NextGen
- Colasoft Capsa
- Telerik Fiddler
There are various tools that are available for performing the sniffing over the networks, and they all have provided their own features to help a hacker to analyze traffic and dissect the information. Sniffing tools are extremely common applications for the users, we have explained some main tools:
1. BetterCAP: The BetterCAP tool is a very powerful, flexible, and portable best software tool created to perform various types of MITM attacks against networks and manipulate its HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP traffic in real-time, sniffing it for as well as credentials, and much more through it.
2. Ettercap: Ettercap tool is a software comprehensively sharp tool suited for man-in-the-middle attacks for networks. It has features as well as sniffing of live connections, content filtering. It supports active and passive dissection of many protocols and includes many features such as the network and the host analysis.
3. Wireshark: The Wireshark tool is one of the most widely common software as known and uses packet sniffers. It offers an unlimited number of features designed to implement and assist in the dissection and analysis of traffic for it. The Wireshark packet sniffing tool is known for both its data capture and analysis capabilities. We can apply filters to limit the scope of data as well as Wireshark collecting through it, or simply let it collect all traffic passing through your selected networks. Thus, it can only collect the data on a web server with a desktop installed. Since the desktop is not common on the servers many sysadmins choose to use the tcpdump or the WinDump to capture traffic to a file, which they load into Wireshark in-depth analysis.
4. Tcpdump: The tcpdump tool is a well-known command-line packeting analyzer. It provides the ability to intercept and ability to observing TCP/IP and other packets during transmission over the network. Available at www.tcpdump.org. thus, tcpdump captures all traffic on the specified networks via libcap and then “dumps” it directly at your screen.
5. WinDump: A Windows port of the popular to Linux as well as packet sniffers at tcpdump, which is a command-line tool that is perfect for displaying header information through it. Due to the success of tcpdump on Unix-like operating systems os, it was “ported over” to the windows platforms to it, This simply means it was cloned to allowed for Windows packet capturing it. as tcpdump, The WinDump tool is a Graphical command-line tool at its output results can be saved to the file for deeper analysis by the third-party tool(other requestors). WinDump is used in a maximum way as the same way a tcpdump in closely every aspect. In fact, the command-line options are the same, the results tend to be pretty much identical.
6. OmniPeek: This tool is manufactured by WildPackets, OmniPeek is a commercial (working) product that is the evolution rise of the as well as product EtherPeek tool, Omnipeek by Savvius is innovated for to larger the networks with a vast amount of data running through them every second and At its core, its performances, analytics, and forensics tool providing the best functional as well as in-depth closely analysis, thus, This Omnipeek tool can decode over a 1000 protocols for real-time analysis of the system. The software GUI graphic displays and visualization make it easy to down, compare and look across networking traffic to identify the performance issues. Omnipeek even suggests the most likely root causing of network problems and further facilitates the troubleshooting states
7. Dsniff: It is a pair of tools designed to perform sniffing packets with differentiating protocols with the intention of intercepting and revealing passwords as well the Dsniff tool is designed for the Unix and Linux platforms and does not have a full equivalent on the Windows platforms for support.
8. MSN Sniffer: This MSN Sniffer is a sniffing utility system that is specifically designed for sniffing traffic generated by the MSN Messenger GUI application.
9. EtherApe: This tool is a Linux/Unix GUI tool designed to display graphically a system's internal as incoming and outgoing connections.
10. NetWitness NextGen: It includes a hardware-based sniffer, along with other features designed to monitor and analyze all traffic on a network. This tool is used by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for verification.
11. Telerik Fiddler: Initially the Telerik Fiddler was technically not a packeting route tracing sniffer or network analyzer i.e., this is much more usable for HTTP sniffer well-known for its remote desktop as well as debugging capabilities(Desktop Environment DEK). as on the other sniffing tools and a web browsing functions, this Fiddler capturing both similar web browser traffic and any HTTP traffic on the desktops, includes traffic from non -web applications Thus, This is special key due to the sheerest volume of desktop applications using HTTP to connect to web services.
12. Colasoft Capsa: The Capsa, developed by Colasoft, is a Windows packet capture tool boasting free, standard, and enterprise editions. The free version is designed for Ethernet as well as sniffing and can monitor 10 IP addresses at a time and approximately about 300 protocols.
13. NETRESEC NetworkMiner: The NETRESEC NetworkMiner is an opensource network forensic analysis tool(NFAT) that can be leveraged as a network sniffer as its routing packet to capture tool to detect operating systems, hack sessions, hostnames, open ports, and so on as, without putting the any of its own traffic on the network. Like the Wireshark, NetworkMiner can follow a specified TCP stream and reconstruct files sent over the network, giving you access to an entire conversation. This software can also work in an offline mode, parsing the pcap files for offline analysis and regenerating/reassembling transmitted through the files and the certificates from pcap files.
14. Auvik: This tool is a Network Management software, it has the capabilities of providing deep visibility and sniffing into traffic flows. This software works even with the encrypted traffic, and provides information about who is on network, activities done by them and where the traffic is directed too.
15. SolarWinds Network Packet Sniffer: SolarWinds Network Packet Sniffer (formerly known as Network Performance Monitor Packet Sniffer) is a network monitoring and analysis tool that captures and analyzes packets transmitted over a network. It allows you to see the data being transmitted over the network, as well as identify issues and troubleshoot problems. With Network Packet Sniffer, you can capture packets in real-time, view packet data in a variety of formats, and apply filters to narrow down the packet data you want to see. You can also use the tool to capture and analyze packets from specific interfaces, protocols, or conversations. Network Packet Sniffer is a powerful tool for network administrators and IT professionals, as it allows you to monitor and analyze network traffic, identify potential issues, and optimize network performance. It is part of the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) suite of network monitoring and analysis tools.
Similar Reads
Computer Network Tutorial A Computer Network is a system where two or more devices are linked together to share data, resources and information. These networks can range from simple setups, like connecting two devices in your home, to massive global systems, like the Internet. Below are some uses of computer networksSharing
6 min read
Computer Network Basics
Basics of Computer NetworkingA computer network is a collection of interconnected devices that share resources and information. These devices can include computers, servers, printers, and other hardware. Networks allow for the efficient exchange of data, enabling various applications such as email, file sharing, and internet br
10 min read
Types of Computer NetworksA computer network is a system that connects many independent computers to share information (data) and resources. The integration of computers and other different devices allows users to communicate more easily. It is a collection of two or more computer systems that are linked together. A network
7 min read
Introduction to InternetComputers and their structures are tough to approach, and it is made even extra tough when you want to recognize phrases associated with the difficulty this is already utilized in regular English, Network, and the net will appear to be absolutely wonderful from one some other, however, they may seem
10 min read
Types of Network TopologyNetwork topology refers to the arrangement of different elements like nodes, links, or devices in a computer network. Common types of network topology include bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree topologies, each with its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss different types of n
11 min read
Network DevicesNetwork devices are physical devices that allow hardware on a computer network to communicate and interact with each other. Network devices like hubs, repeaters, bridges, switches, routers, gateways, and brouter help manage and direct data flow in a network. They ensure efficient communication betwe
9 min read
What is OSI Model? - Layers of OSI ModelThe OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model is a set of rules that explains how different computer systems communicate over a network. OSI Model was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The OSI Model consists of 7 layers and each layer has specific functions and re
13 min read
TCP/IP ModelThe TCP/IP model is a framework that is used to model the communication in a network. It is mainly a collection of network protocols and organization of these protocols in different layers for modeling the network.It has four layers, Application, Transport, Network/Internet and Network Access.While
7 min read
Difference Between OSI Model and TCP/IP ModelData communication is a process or act in which we can send or receive data. Understanding the fundamental structures of networking is crucial for anyone working with computer systems and communication. For data communication two models are available, the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model, an
4 min read
Physical Layer
Physical Layer in OSI ModelThe physical Layer is the bottom-most layer in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Model which is a physical and electrical representation of the system. It consists of various network components such as power plugs, connectors, receivers, cable types, etc. The physical layer sends data bits from
4 min read
Types of Network TopologyNetwork topology refers to the arrangement of different elements like nodes, links, or devices in a computer network. Common types of network topology include bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree topologies, each with its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss different types of n
11 min read
Transmission Modes in Computer Networks (Simplex, Half-Duplex and Full-Duplex)Transmission modes also known as communication modes, are methods of transferring data between devices on buses and networks designed to facilitate communication. They are classified into three types: Simplex Mode, Half-Duplex Mode, and Full-Duplex Mode. In this article, we will discuss Transmission
6 min read
Types of Transmission MediaTransmission media is the physical medium through which data is transmitted from one device to another within a network. These media can be wired or wireless. The choice of medium depends on factors like distance, speed, and interference. In this article, we will discuss the transmission media. In t
9 min read
Data Link Layer
Data Link Layer in OSI ModelThe data link layer is the second layer from the bottom in the OSI (Open System Interconnection) network architecture model. Responsible for the node-to-node delivery of data within the same local network. Major role is to ensure error-free transmission of information. Also responsible for encoding,
4 min read
What is Switching?Switching is the process of transferring data packets from one device to another in a network, or from one network to another, using specific devices called switches. A computer user experiences switching all the time for example, accessing the Internet from your computer device, whenever a user req
5 min read
Virtual LAN (VLAN)Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a concept in which we can divide the devices logically on layer 2 (data link layer). Generally, layer 3 devices divide the broadcast domain but the broadcast domain can be divided by switches using the concept of VLAN. A broadcast domain is a network segment in which if a devic
7 min read
Framing in Data Link LayerFrames are the units of digital transmission, particularly in computer networks and telecommunications. Frames are comparable to the packets of energy called photons in the case of light energy. Frame is continuously used in Time Division Multiplexing process. Framing is a point-to-point connection
6 min read
Error Control in Data Link LayerData-link layer uses the techniques of error control simply to ensure and confirm that all the data frames or packets, i.e. bit streams of data, are transmitted or transferred from sender to receiver with certain accuracy. Using or providing error control at this data link layer is an optimization,
4 min read
Flow Control in Data Link LayerFlow control is design issue at Data Link Layer. It is a technique that generally observes the proper flow of data from sender to receiver. It is very essential because it is possible for sender to transmit data or information at very fast rate and hence receiver can receive this information and pro
4 min read
Piggybacking in Computer NetworksPiggybacking is the technique of delaying outgoing acknowledgment temporarily and attaching it to the next data packet. When a data frame arrives, the receiver waits and does not send the control frame (acknowledgment) back immediately. The receiver waits until its network layer moves to the next da
5 min read
Network Layer
Network Layer in OSI ModelThe Network Layer is the 5th Layer from the top and the 3rd layer from the Bottom of the OSI Model. It is one of the most important layers which plays a key role in data transmission. The main job of this layer is to maintain the quality of the data and pass and transmit it from its source to its de
5 min read
Introduction of Classful IP AddressingClassful IP addressing is an obsolete method for allocating IP addresses and dividing the available IP address space across networks. It was used from 1981 to 1993 until the introduction of CIDR (Based on Prefixes rather than classes). Classful method categorizes IP addresses into five classes (A, B
10 min read
Classless Addressing in IP AddressingThe Network address identifies a network on the internet. Using this, we can find a range of addresses in the network and total possible number of hosts in the network. Mask is a 32-bit binary number that gives the network address in the address block when AND operation is bitwise applied on the mas
7 min read
What is an IP Address?Imagine every device on the internet as a house. For you to send a letter to a friend living in one of these houses, you need their home address. In the digital world, this home address is what we call an IP (Internet Protocol) Address. It's a unique string of numbers separated by periods (IPv4) or
14 min read
IPv4 Datagram HeaderIP stands for Internet Protocol and v4 stands for Version Four (IPv4). IPv4 was the primary version brought into action for production within the ARPANET in 1983. IP version four addresses are 32-bit integers which will be expressed in decimal notation. In this article, we will discuss about IPv4 da
4 min read
Difference Between IPv4 and IPv6IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of the system that gives devices a unique address on the internet, known as the Internet Protocol (IP). IP is like a set of rules that helps devices send and receive data online. Since the internet is made up of billions of connected devices, each one needs its own spe
7 min read
Difference between Private and Public IP addressesIP Address or Internet Protocol Address is a type of address that is required to communicate one computer with another computer for exchanging information, file, webpage, etc. Public and Private IP address are two important parts of device identity. In this article, we will see the differences betwe
6 min read
Introduction To SubnettingSubnetting is the process of dividing a large network into smaller networks called "subnets." Subnets provide each group of devices with their own space to communicate, which ultimately helps the network to work easily. This also boosts security and makes it easier to manage the network, as each sub
8 min read
What is Routing?The process of choosing a path across one or more networks is known as Network Routing. Nowadays, individuals are more connected on the internet and hence, the need to use Routing Communication is essential.Routing chooses the routes along which Internet Protocol (IP) packets get from their source t
10 min read
Network Layer ProtocolsNetwork Layer is responsible for the transmission of data or communication from one host to another host connected in a network. Rather than describing how data is transferred, it implements the technique for efficient transmission. In order to provide efficient communication protocols are used at t
9 min read
Transport Layer
Session Layer & Presentation Layer
Session Layer in OSI modelThe Session Layer is the 5th layer in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model which plays an important role in controlling the dialogues (connections) between computers. This layer is responsible for setting up, coordinating, and terminating conversations, exchanges, and dialogues between the ap
6 min read
Presentation Layer in OSI modelPresentation Layer is the 6th layer in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. This layer is also known as Translation layer, as this layer serves as a data translator for the network. The data which this layer receives from the Application Layer is extracted and manipulated here as per the req
4 min read
Secure Socket Layer (SSL)SSL or Secure Sockets Layer, is an Internet security protocol that encrypts data to keep it safe. It was created by Netscape in 1995 to ensure privacy, authentication, and data integrity in online communications. SSL is the older version of what we now call TLS (Transport Layer Security).Websites us
10 min read
PPTP Full Form - Point-to-Point Tunneling ProtocolPPTP Stands for Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol is a widely used networking protocol designed to create a secure private connection over a public network like the internet. It is Developed by Microsoft and other tech companies in the 1990s It is one of the first protocols used for Virtual Private
5 min read
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) ProtocolMIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a standard used to extend the format of email messages, allowing them to include more than just text. It enables the transmission of multimedia content such as images, audio, video, and attachments, within email messages, as well as other types of cont
4 min read
Application Layer
Application Layer in OSI ModelThe Application Layer of OSI (Open System Interconnection) model, is the top layer in this model and takes care of network communication. The application layer provides the functionality to send and receive data from users. It acts as the interface between the user and the application. The applicati
5 min read
Client-Server ModelThe Client-Server Model is a distributed architecture where clients request services and servers provide them. Clients send requests to servers, which process them and return the results. Clients don’t share resources among themselves but depend on the server. Common examples include email systems a
5 min read
World Wide Web (WWW)The World Wide Web (WWW), often called the Web, is a system of interconnected webpages and information that you can access using the Internet. It was created to help people share and find information easily, using links that connect different pages together. The Web allows us to browse websites, wat
6 min read
Introduction to Electronic MailIntroduction:Electronic mail, commonly known as email, is a method of exchanging messages over the internet. Here are the basics of email:An email address: This is a unique identifier for each user, typically in the format of [email protected] email client: This is a software program used to send,
4 min read
What is a Content Distribution Network and how does it work?Over the last few years, there has been a huge increase in the number of Internet users. YouTube alone has 2 Billion users worldwide, while Netflix has over 160 million users. Streaming content to such a wide demographic of users is no easy task. One can think that a straightforward approach to this
4 min read
Protocols in Application LayerThe Application Layer is the topmost layer in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. This layer provides several ways for manipulating the data which enables any type of user to access the network with ease. The Application Layer interface directly interacts with the application and provides c
7 min read
Advanced Topics
What is Network Security?Network security is defined as the activity created to protect the integrity of your network and data. Network security is the practice of protecting a computer network from unauthorized access, misuse, or attacks. It involves using tools, technologies, policies and procedures to ensure the confiden
9 min read
Computer Network | Quality of Service and MultimediaQuality of Service (QoS) is an important concept, particularly when working with multimedia applications. Multimedia applications, such as video conferencing, streaming services, and VoIP (Voice over IP), require certain bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss parameters. QoS methods help ensure
7 min read
Authentication in Computer NetworkPrerequisite - Authentication and Authorization Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or information. User authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user when that user logs in to a computer system. There are different types of authentication systems wh
4 min read
Encryption, Its Algorithms And Its FutureEncryption plays a vital role in today’s digital world, serving a major role in modern cyber security. It involves converting plain text into cipher text, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure from unauthorized access. By making data unreadable to unauthorized parties, encryption helps
10 min read
Introduction of Firewall in Computer NetworkA firewall is a network security device either hardware or software-based which monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic and based on a defined set of security rules it accepts, rejects, or drops that specific traffic. It acts like a security guard that helps keep your digital world safe from unwa
10 min read
MAC Filtering in Computer NetworkThere are two kinds of network Adapters. A wired adapter allows us to set up a connection to a modem or router via Ethernet in a computer whereas a wireless adapter identifies and connects to remote hot spots. Each adapter has a distinct label known as a MAC address which recognizes and authenticate
10 min read
Wi-Fi Standards ExplainedWi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity, and it is developed by an organization called IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) they set standards for the Wi-Fi system. Each Wi-Fi network standard has two parameters : Speed - This is the data transfer rate of the network measured in Mbps
4 min read
What is Bluetooth?Bluetooth is used for short-range wireless voice and data communication. It is a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology and is used for data communications over smaller distances. This generation changed into being invented via Ericson in 1994. It operates within the unlicensed, business,
6 min read
Generations of wireless communicationWe have made very huge improvements in wireless communication and have expanded the capabilities of our wireless communication system. We all have seen various generations in our life. Let's discuss them one by one. 0th Generation: Pre-cell phone mobile telephony technology, such as radio telephones
2 min read
Cloud NetworkingCloud Networking is a service or science in which a company’s networking procedure is hosted on a public or private cloud. Cloud Computing is source management in which more than one computing resources share an identical platform and customers are additionally enabled to get entry to these resource
11 min read
Practice
Top 50 Plus Networking Interview Questions and Answers for 2024Networking is defined as connected devices that may exchange data or information and share resources. A computer network connects computers to exchange data via a communication media. Computer networking is the most often asked question at leading organizations such Cisco, Accenture, Uber, Airbnb, G
15+ min read
Top 50 TCP/IP Interview Questions and Answers 2025Understanding TCP/IP is essential for anyone working in IT or networking. It's a fundamental part of how the internet and most networks operate. Whether you're just starting or you're looking to move up in your career, knowing TCP/IP inside and out can really give you an edge.In this interview prepa
15+ min read
Top 50 IP Addressing Interview Questions and AnswersIn today’s digital age, every device connected to the internet relies on a unique identifier called an IP Address. If you’re aiming for a career in IT or networking, mastering the concept of IP addresses is crucial. In this engaging blog post, we’ll explore the most commonly asked IP address intervi
15+ min read
Last Minute Notes for Computer NetworksComputer Networks is an important subject in the GATE Computer Science syllabus. It encompasses fundamental concepts like Network Models, Routing Algorithms, Congestion Control, TCP/IP Protocol Suite, and Network Security. These topics are essential for understanding how data is transmitted, managed
14 min read
Computer Network - Cheat SheetA computer network is an interconnected computing device that can exchange data and share resources. These connected devices use a set of rules called communication protocols to transfer information over physical or wireless technology. Modern networks offer more than just connectivity. Enterprises
15+ min read