best packet sniffer now days

[mack_guy911]

which is best packet sniffer now days to check your network activity.....
Please share your views on that

[Climenole]

Hi mack_guy911 :)

Wireshark "Snif or die" (formelly Ethereal)
http://www.wireshark.org/

or (based on Ethereal) Packetyzer:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/packetyzer/

:)

[Nubiatech]

For wireless:
Kismet
http://www.kismetwireless.net/
Linux out of the box. Windows require special add-ons $$$

[Alphalutra1]

tcpdump, the standard on *nix, but there is a windows version available for free for non-commercial uses which is available here (http://microolap.com/products/network/tcpdump/download/)

However, wireshark isn't bad either if you want a gui, but be warned that its predecessor was bug riddled and wireshark seems to be following suit (see the secunia (http://secunia.com/product/1228/?task=statistics) advisories). Another thing to add is that I know OpenBSD pulled it's predecessor ethereal from its ports and packages since it basically was having a remotely exploitable hole once a month with a good number allowing remote system access :-\

Cheers,

Alphalutra1