Can 2K's built in Network Monitor record chat conversations?

[Shockwave]

Could you set the Network Monitor to record all packets from a certain program or port, and then use it to monitor and log chat conversations?
Thanks

 

[Lord Evermore]

Never heard of it before. Searched, found the answer. The version in Win2k can only be used to monitor packets sent to the machine it's installed on, it can't listen to overall network traffic. SMS Server includes a full-featured version.

There are other packet sniffing programs available. You should be able to log the packets and filter them based on the ports used. Remember though that it will only work if you're connected to a hub, not a switch. And if the chat program uses anything other than plain text, you won't be able to read it (as far as I know, all the common programs just use plain-text HTML code or their own markup language in plain text).

Presumably you aren't doing this in a situation where you don't have the right to monitor someone else's communications, such as a roommate, boss, coworker, sibling, et cetera.

 

[Shockwave]

Thanks, and to answer your question...
No, its on my home based PC. I do this crap for fun (Wanna see a major goof? Search for my thread about when I accidentally used Disk Admin in the Adminitrative Tools on my Backup disk to Revert to Basic and lost everything.....Revert to Basic is BAD! BAD I say!!)
I like to do more then install an MS OS and surf the net. These OS's (The server levels anyways) come with SO many cool, powerful tools that most users never even know about, let alone use. I myself like to really see what these things can do. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes I get a crash course in data recovery

So, the Network Monitor could only monitor the local machine then?

 

[Tiger]

MS KB article on Network Monitor
I've used it and it works pretty well. You could also install Snort to do the same thing and use less resources.

 

[Shockwave]

Well, the MS monitor *will* record the chat logs bi-directionally. Interesting stuff. Its also quite the pain in the ass to sort through it all as it (naturally) includes all packets.
Nifty

Thanks for the help!

 

[n0cmonkey]

I used to read chat logs on IDS systems I was monitoring. It is amazing where the tax money of the average US citizen goes.

 

[Shockwave]

Not to sound dumb..

Windows 2000 Pro doesnt have network monitor does it? Its only in Windows 2000 Server editions? Is it available for download?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Not to sound dumb..

Windows 2000 Pro doesnt have network monitor does it? Its only in Windows 2000 Server editions? Is it available for download?

I cannot answer your question, but instead offer advice. Stop worrying about silly toys, and use something good.

 

[Shockwave]

*heh* Thanks n0c, but you may wanna check the link. Some good art there if nothing else
You mean Ethereal Network anaylzer? i had seen it but hadnt used it yet. May give it a try.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
*heh* Thanks n0c, but you may wanna check the link. Some good art there if nothing else
You mean Ethereal Network anaylzer? i had seen it but hadnt used it yet. May give it a try.

Thanks. That should teach me to double check my links to make sure I got them correct

 

[Tiger]

Windows 2000 Pro doesnt have network monitor does it? Its only in Windows 2000 Server editions? Is it available for download?

It isn't included in 2K Pro and is only available for the server versions.