Articles
Blogs
Kits
ForumsSmartSniff is a small, freeware and portable application that allows you to capture TCP/IP packets that pass through your network adapter. You can view the TCP/IP conversations that go through your network in both ASCII mode or as a hex dump.
We have featured other packet sniffers here before such as Wireshark. Wireshark portable was even featured in our Computer Repair Utility Kit. However, both these versions needed to install the WinPcap capture driver first in order to work. Smartsniff captures data using the Raw sockets method which means this application is a truly portable packet sniffer as it doesnt need to install anything. Of course, using the raw method does have some limitations and problems such as it not working correctly on XP Service Pack 1, but other than that its a
For those of you who haven’t experimented with packet sniffing before and may be wondering why you would want to do this as a technician. Packet sniffing allows you to see what a system is sending out so you could see if there is a virus on the system sending out data to its home base, and if so, what it is sending. You can use it to capture unencrypted passwords leaving the computer (in case you or your client forgot the password but its still in the application in the **** form). You could also use it to see what legitimate applications are up to such as which update server they are using or what information they are sending back to base.
nice small, portable packet sniffer.
Screenshots:
Downloads:
Download from Official Site – 63kb
Can you please explain why you would need this?
Stan, click the Read More link. I explain why you would need this
Thanks Bryce. I’ve been looking for a decent portable sniffer which didn’t require a separate packet library. I’ll give it a spin.
Sounds like a great tool. I’ve tried other ones but this one looks easier to use and understand.
I find it amazing how many excellent tools this guy Nir Sofer has on his wen site. What a treasure trove!
Wireshark > *
The site says …..
” … as long as WinPcap capture driver is installed …”, which you say it doesn’t. So?
George
“SmartSniff can capture TCP/IP packets on any 32-bit Windows operating system (Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP) as long as WinPcap capture driver is installed and works properly with your network adapter.
Under Windows 2000/XP (or greater), SmartSniff also allows you to capture TCP/IP packets without installing any capture driver, by using ‘Raw Sockets’ method.”
Basically, if you want to run it on 98/ME/NT (which is fairly unlikely now days), you need to install WinPcap.
If you want to run it on 2000 or XP, you DONT need it installed.
Hmmm, I don’t really think this is a very useful app though it does have its uses as you pointed out. We can check if certain software are sending anything back to their author etc.
Definitely another extremely useful tool to give your techy toolbox a bit of a boost. I like the idea that you can use it to capture unencrypted passwords leaving the machine. Some interesting uses spring to mind here!
It does look useful for finding unencrypted passwords, and it’s always good to have another option in your toolbox. There are a ton of other password recovery utilities on that website along with other useful info. Another great find Bryce!
Dallas Computers, Nirsoft is a great source for repair tools. Ive refered to them a few times.