Network Hacking — Pre Connection Attacks

3. Targeted Packet Sniffing Using Airodump-ng

In this guide, we'll explore how to perform targeted packet sniffing using the powerful tool Airodump-ng. This method allows you to focus on a specific Wi-Fi network and gather more detailed information about it, including connected devices and communication data. While encryption may limit the usability of captured data initially, this technique forms the foundation for further analysis and potential decryption.

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Prerequisites

Before diving into targeted packet sniffing, ensure you have the following:

  • A wireless adapter capable of monitor mode.
  • Airodump-ng installed (part of the Aircrack-ng suite).
  • Basic knowledge of Wi-Fi networks and channels.

Step-by-Step Guide to Targeted Packet Sniffing

1. Identify the Target Network

  • Use Airodump-ng to scan and list all available networks.
  • Identify your target network based on its BSSID (MAC address) and channel number. For this example, assume the target network's BSSID is XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX, and it operates on channel 2.

2. Run Airodump-ng for the Target Network

  • Execute the following command:
airodump-ng --bssid XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX --channel 2 --write capture_file wlan0mon
  • --bssid: Specifies the target network's MAC address.
  • --channel: Limits sniffing to the target network's channel for efficiency.
  • --write: Saves captured data to a file for further analysis.
  • wlan0mon: Refers to your wireless adapter in monitor mode.

3. Analyze the Results

  • Once the command is executed, Airodump-ng focuses on the specified network and displays:
  • The target network's details (e.g., encryption type, signal strength).
  • A list of connected clients (devices).
  • Metrics like packet count, data transfer rates, and signal strength for each device.

Example output:

BSSID              STATION            POWER   FRAMES   PROBE 
XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:YY   -40     200      -

Here, STATION represents the MAC addresses of devices connected to the target network.

4. Capture Files Generated

The --write option creates multiple files, such as:

  • .cap: Contains captured packets.
  • .csv: A summary of the captured data.
  • .netxml: Metadata about the scanned network.

For example, if your output file is named capture_file, you'll see:

capture_file-01.cap 
capture_file-01.csv 
capture_file-01.netxml

5. Open Captured Data in Wireshark

  • Open the .cap file in Wireshark:
wireshark capture_file-01.cap
  • Analyze packet details, including source/destination MAC addresses and protocol types.

6. Challenges with Encrypted Networks

  • If the network uses WPA2 encryption, captured packets will appear as gibberish.
  • For example, usernames, passwords, or URLs won't be visible without the encryption key.
  • However, some details can still be inferred, such as device manufacturers based on MAC address prefixes.

7. Next Steps

  • If the target network is open (unencrypted), captured packets may reveal sensitive information directly.
  • For encrypted networks, decryption techniques (covered in future sections) will enable deeper insights.

Conclusion

Targeted packet sniffing using Airodump-ng is a critical skill for network analysis and security testing. By focusing on a specific network, you can gather detailed data about its clients and communication patterns. While encryption often limits immediate usability, this technique lays the groundwork for advanced analysis. Stay tuned for further guides on breaking encryption and leveraging tools like Wireshark to maximize the potential of your captured data.

Disclaimer: Ensure you have proper authorization before analyzing any network. Unauthorized access or monitoring of networks is illegal and unethical.