Snort

Cisco

Snort is an open code tool for network administrators, that allows the real time analysis of traffic over an IP network to detect intruders and log any incoming packets. The way in which Snort achieves this is by analysing protocols and seeking out any unusual behaviour linked to probes and attacks such as buffer overflows, port scanning, CGI attacks, SMB or OS fingerprinting tests. Snort is a flexible rule based language that can be set to know what data it should capture and what it should let through. Its scanning engine is modular, which means that its functionality can be extended with plugins. Various real-time alerts will be sent to the system administrator to indicate the presence of suspicious network behaviour. But be aware! Snort is a command line tool. Snort supports IPv6 and can be used with MySQL, ODBC, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle. You will need to manually edit the snort.conf file to set the correct file and classification rules.

DAR-WIFI

David Pacheco Jiménez

DAR-WIFI is a tool to create an access point for your WiFi network so other devices can connect to the Internet even if they're far away from the main router. This way you can have all your devices connected even if they're in a far corner of your home. To start using this tool you have to set up a username and password. By default you can use Youruser, and Yourpassword, but the important thing is that nobody can get access without both of them. You can use any combination without having to register them, and you can modify them whenever you want. This application doesn't have a limit of devices you can add, so you can connect as many computers and mobile devices as you want and use them as fixed connection points to spread the WiFi connection through your home. In short, it's a good way to have Internet anywhere in your house, even where the connection is weak or simply where it doesn't reach. DAR-WIFI requires no installation, and works as long as the computer is on, so if you turn your computer off or reset it, all the connected devices will stop having Internet and you have to create another connection point and link it to the rest of the devices one by one.

EasyNetMonitor

Nicekit Software

Bandwidth Controller Standard

Matt Johns

Bandwidth Controller Standard is a very useful tool for efficiently distributing network resources. It is mainly used to assign a specific volume of data for each program, service or connection. Bandwidth Controller Standard uses a rule-based system that lets it filter traffic using several different parameters. It enables an effective independent control of every device on the network. In this way, it lets you limit internet traffic without affecting the local network’s traffic. On the other hand, it offers the possibility of supervising download and upload speeds, as well as establishing 'end points' to which the connection will not have access to. Other interesting parameters are: protocol, user, IP and MAC address filtering, etc.

Ethereal

Gerald Combs

For those who don’t know anything about this type of application, Ethereal is a sniffer, an application that can capture all packets sent through a network to then interpret them and see what tasks are being carried out on the network. Ethereal is a packet analyzer that can be fully recommended for professionals, as it even displays all the information sorted by types. You can capture the data from both the network, and a disk capture, as it supports over 20 different formats and more than 300 protocols. Ethereal uses a system to view the data, and a completely different and incompatible system to carry out the captures (tcpdump). Once the capture parameters have been established, the program will display the results on 3 information windows. Once done, you can access a list of all the captured packets, with relevant information as well as the ports that were used.

Bitvise

Bitvise Limited

Bitvise (previously known as Tunnelier) is an SSH and SFTP client for Windows that stands out mainly for its enormous variety of options and, of course, its graphic interface, which gives you comprehensive control over all these options. The program supports RSA, DSA, and SSPI authentications and the bvterm, xterm, and vt100 protocols; it has a broad margin of flexibility thanks to its command terminal and lets you establish FTP-to-SFTP bridge connections. On the interface's tabs, you can adjust the necessary parameters to set up a compression and encryption system for the data transferred over secure connections, as well as manage user profiles to be able to work in the most automated way possible.

XX-Net

XX-net

CommView

TamoSoft

CommView is a tool for monitoring the status of your network connection. It is very useful for network administrators and programmers, and includes the ability to analyze information packets and control data flow. The program displays a list of established network connections, IP statistics, and individual examined packets. CommView unencrypts the different packets up to the last level by analyzing the main IP protocols: TCP, UDP, and ICMP. You can save logs of the packets captured by CommView to later analyze them in case the need arises. Also, you can set up filters so that the program automatically eliminates all the packets that you don't want to capture.

NetSetMan

Ilja Herlein

Tired of manually configuring your computer's network settings? NetSetMan is an application that enables you to create profiles with different configuration parameters. For example, if you work in an office with your laptop, and then bring it home to keep working, you'll need to reconfigure your network settings to that it works correctly in the new location. NetSetMan saves you time by saving profiles of each location, so all you need to do is click on the correct profile, and you're good to go. You can set up the following information when using this application: - IP address, subred mask, and default gateway - Preferred and alternate DNS server - Names of PC, work group, preferred printer, etc.

Antamedia HotSpot Software

ANTAMEDIA

BadBlue PE

Working Resources Inc.

Wireshark Portable

Gerald Combs

Wireshark is a protocol analyzer based on pcap libraries and usually used to check nets and develop net applications. When we use it we find a big versatility which makes it to support more than 480 different protocols, furthermore you'll be able to work with data captured during the same session or with stored data from the HD. Wireshark supports the tcpdump standard format and it can rebuild TCP sessions and its graphic interface is very intuitive.

Acrylic WiFi Free

Tarlogic Security

Acrylic WiFi Free is a simple tool that acts as a wireless network scanner, detecting all the networks within your reach and displaying information about the quality of each. With this software, you can also analyze the state of a WiFi network and find out if there is a device connected to it that might be sapping its speed or performance. Acrylic WiFi Free is also very useful for accessing detailed information about all devices using your network, so you can try to catch anyone who might be using it without your permission. The application’s interface is pretty basic and easy-to-use. Just click 'Play' in the tab to begin collecting information. Once you've scanned for available networks, you can select the WiFi you want and verify how it's working, plus the intensity and security of your connection.

Spiceworks Desktop

Spiceworks, Inc.

If you need to know what's on your network and the status of the hardware and software on your network, SpiceWorks can be really useful. SpiceWorks scans your network and tell you all about the hardware and software in it. Workstations, software, printers,... everything in the network will be able to be managed from your workstation. Furthermore the interface of SpiceWorks is totally customizable and you can set new texts or icons in the main window, then you'll find all data very well sorted by categories. You'll be able to access the data of each workstation connected to your network, know the software installed, if they are running certain software, etc. It can be a good choice if you need to manage your network because it supports up to 250 workstations connected.

Advanced IP Address Calculator

Famatech

Advanced IP Address Calculator is a small, free tool that can calculate all the data for your Internet connection, IP, host, available IP range, masking, subnets, etc. It is especially useful for advanced users, technicians or engineers who need to access information about the network they are working with in the quickest way possible. It supports CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing), binary representation, and IP address hex.

WIFI Guard

SoftPerfect Research

If you have a WiFi network and the connection isn´t going very well, there´s a possibility that a neighbour is `borrowing´ it. To avoid this, WIFI Guard allows you to quickly see who is connected to your network. You´ll be able to see the name of the computers, their MAC addresses and the IP address with which they are connected. With just one click you will be able to add a personalized name and mark the trustworthy devices. You can programme WIFI Guard to check your network every certain time or to let you know when an unknown device connects to your network, so you won´t have to worry about checking the list, you just have to minimize it so it stays in the system tray. It also offers you the possibility to export the list of devices as a text file, so you can keep a copy of the list of trustworthy devices. WIFI Guard is an excellent option to keep your network clear of scroungers or simply to see the IP and MAC of the people that are connected.

Network Scanner

SoftPerfect Research

Network Scanner is a free application geared toward network system administration and specializing in scanning those networks. It has the ability to scan a complete range of previously specified IPs, checking the MAC-address and ping response time, even through routers if necessary. In a similar fashion, it scans all of the network's shared directories, including those that are hidden. It can even create virtual units shared from those directories. It's programmed to be a portable tool so that you can access any network at any moment. To make it as mobile as possible, it doesn't require administrative permissions or installation. All of this makes Network Scanner a useful tool that you should keep in mind.

Nmap

Insecure.Com LLC.

Nmap is a network administration tool that allows you to find security gaps in a network and detect connected devices. It is a free open-source tool that is ideal for system administrators. You can use it to track ports and evaluate network security, as well as to get information about the same. It can also be used to analyze network performance by evaluating the response times by pinging different devices. You can scan the ports of the equipment connected to a given network, see if they are open, check the available services on these machines, or evade their firewalls. For these reasons, even though Nmap is a tool that is designed to improve network security, its features also allow you to use it to take advantage of network vulnerabilities. This is why it it is a program that is used in the hacking world.

The Dude

MikroTikls SIA

The Dude is a suprising app that you can use to graphically manage a network of computers. It will automatically create a diagram that shows the entire structure of all the hosts that are contained within a determined range of addresses. You can manually add it to any device or configure it to one that you already have. With this app, you can control the activity of the different computers on the network and know their status at any moment. In addition, it has a combination of tools that allow you to do different things, like: ping, trace route, remote connection, bandwidth test, telnet, ftp... The Dude will punctually keep you informed on the supervised devices through the employment of a full-stats system.

WIFI Auditor

N/A

WiFi Auditor is a tool for testing the security of the nearby WiFi networks, which will basically show the passwords of some of the networks and give you the possibility to connect to them. Using the program is as simple as clicking on the button 'auditor redes' and waiting until the program automatically shows which of the nearby networks have a weak level of security. In less than five seconds you're able to obtain the password of those networks. The app deciphers the WPA from the name and MAC address of the close-by networks in case they maintain the original password included with the router by default. Once you have the password you can, as long as you have permission (otherwise, you could get in a lot of trouble), connect to the network to test the speed or do any other task. WiFi Auditor is an easy to use app, but not to be used carelessly. It's effective, but as mentioned in the previous paragraph, this program should be used with care because of the consequences it could incur.

Change MAC Address

Lizard Systems

Change MAC Address is a simple tool that lets you change your MAC address with only a couple of clicks. Thanks to this program, you can see your MAC address and the manufacturer of your network adapter, replace it with a new address and give it a fake one if you chose, and even generate a completely random address. Change MAC Address is a very easy tool to use, ideal for any user who wants to start playing with MAC addresses and Wifi network configuration.

Free WiFi Hotspot

FreeWiFiHotspot Co., Ltd.

Free WiFi Hotspot is a program that lets you turn your device into a WiFi access point so you can share your internet connection with any other user that’s close by without having to use any additional hardware. The program lets you share connections regardless of what they might be: DSL, cable, Bluetooth, broadband cards or mobile. The only requirement is that your PC has to include a WiFi card. Another great feature of the program is that you don’t have a limit on the number of connections. To configure it, you just need to establish a name or network ID, pick a password and choose the network card that you are going to use (in case you have several). Once those parameters are set, anyone that knows the password can access the network and connect to the internet in a matter of seconds. You can manage the connection that you’re sharing at any moment by starting it, pausing it or stopping it. Also, when the connection is working you can view all the changes that are being made as far as the connection data by all the users that join it.

WirelessNetView

Nir Sofer

WirelessNetView is a free tool for windows that allows you to know how many and what networks are around you and your computer. Not only will you able to know how many networks are around you but you will be able to know more data about them: frequency, signal power, security level or information about the history of connection and network detection. By this way, WirelessNetView will be a useful tool for those people who usually want to know the status of the wireless connection of their internet connection ...and the one of their neighbors.

OSToto Hotspot

OSToto Co., Ltd.

OSToto Hotspot is a very simple utility to turn your computer into a WiFi access point to which you can connect any nearby device. Thanks to this you can enjoy guaranteed Internet access on any mobile or tablet in your home. You don't even need to do a complicated setup or activate any buttons; as soon as you open OSToto Hotspot, you'll see the name of the new network and the password, that's it. Once you know the access information, you can share that with your visitors so they can quickly connect to the separate network. This is a great option if you want to avoid anyone logging in to your normal network every time he or she is in your home, or if you just want to expand the reach of your main network. From the control panel in this utility you can quickly see all the devices connected to the new network; if any of those don't belong to one of your family members or friends, you can block that device so it can no longer connect, allowing you to keep your info and computers protected. One of the features that make OSToto Hotspot so special compared to similar ones is its speed checker, which shows the number of megabytes available for your guests to browse the Internet. Enjoy this free connection from all your devices and in every corner of your home in a way that's both simple and comfortable.

Fing Desktop

Fing Limited

Fing Desktop is a program for Windows that makes it possible to track many aspects related to the devices connected to your wifi network. Through a relatively simple interface, at all times, you can use features similar to those of the smartphone version of the app. All of these features can be found on a menu on the left side of the screen. Specifically, with Fing Desktop, you can track any issue in your network. All the connected devices will appear in real-time, as well as their brand, IP address, or last time they were connected. Fing Desktop allows you to analyze your WiFi connection and detect any intruders using your internet, as well as disconnect devices from your network in a matter of seconds. On top of all that, Fing Desktop also includes a forum where you can post questions and check for internet outages on a world map. Take control of your WiFi network with this great program for Windows.

Advanced IP Scanner

Famatech

Advanced IP Scanner is a tool for network administrators to access information about any computers connected to their local network. You just have to enter a range of IP addresses, and the program will immediately scan the network and list all the machines connected to it. The data provided by Advanced IP Scanner is the same as that provided by most other programs in the genre: IP address, MAC address, computer name, user name, network, etc. However, the best thing about this program isn't the amount of data it provides, but the option to interact remotely with any of the other computers in the network. For example, you can shut down or restart other computers connected to your network, access them via FTP or Telnet, browse folders on the hard disks from the file browser, along with a whole host of other possibilities. To do all this, you must make sure that the computer you want to control has all the necessary permissions correctly set; otherwise you will not be able to access it.

Wireless Network Watcher

Nir Sofer

Wireless Network Watcher scans your WiFi network and provides you with a list of all the computers that are connected to your network with their corresponding MAC. You will be able to control who connects to your network, and even activate a sound alarm when a new user connects. You can also generate an automatic command line so that it starts running when someone connects. You can see the information of each user separately and export the list in different formats like html, css, txt... If you want to know who connects to your WiFi or check which IP address is assigned to each computer, this free program is just the one for you.

easy WiFi

N/A

Easy WiFi is an application specially thought for notebook users who need to find WiFi spots to connect to the Internet. Easy WiFi makes it easy. You run it and it will scan the air for networks and wireless connections. You'll see a list of networks and you decide the one you want to connect to. Ok, you'll need the password if it is not an open one. Easy WiFi can be extremely helpful if you are on holidays and you need to be online. It's an easy way to scan for accessible wireless networks. Run it, check if there is any WiFi available, connect and surf the web as usual.

TFTP

Philippe Jounin

As its name indicates, TFTP is a client/server for TFTP networks protocols and only a server for DHCP, SNTP y Syslog. TFTP protocol is a simpler version of the classic FTP which is used mainly to update the firmware on network devices such as routers, commuters or IP phones. It can also remote start (PXE) computers. The TFTP client/server lets you configure some parameters on this protocol, such as size, blocksize, and timeout to obtain maximum performance during file transfers. The application can be installed as a Windows service.

Aircrack-ng

Aircrack-ng.org

Aircrack-ng is a tool pack to monitor and analyse wireless networks around you and put them to the test. Check how safe your wireless password is or unlock your neighbour's wireless network. It can guess WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) passwords. Once you run the program, you'll be able to capture data packs of a certain network thanks to one of the tools in the pack: Airodump, an sniffer that willl collect data packages so you can exam them later. Once you'll have captured enough packages, you only have to load them on Aircrack and it will decode them and will tell you the password of that wireless network so you can access it.