Ncat – Networking Tool

Ncat (or Netcat) is a powerful networking utility included in Kali Linux. It is often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of networking because it can create connections, transfer data, listen for incoming connections, and act as a simple chat server. Ncat is an improved version of the original Netcat and is part of the Nmap suite.

Install Ncat

Ncat comes pre-installed in Kali Linux. However, if needed, it can be installed using:

$ sudo apt-get install ncat

Basic Syntax

The basic syntax of Ncat is as follows:

$ ncat [options] [hostname] [port]

Creating a Simple Chat Server

Ncat can be used to set up a simple chat server. To start a listener on port 1234:

$ ncat -l 1234

On another machine, connect to the server using:

$ ncat <server-ip> 1234

Now, both systems can send and receive messages.

Transferring Files

Ncat can be used to transfer files between systems.

On the receiving system (listening mode):

$ ncat -l 1234 > received_file.txt

On the sending system:

$ ncat <receiver-ip> 1234 < file_to_send.txt

Port Scanning

Ncat can be used for basic port scanning by attempting to connect to open ports:

$ ncat -z -v <target-ip> 20-100

Setting Up a Simple Web Server

To create a basic web server using Ncat:

$ echo -e "HTTP/1.1 200 OK\n\nHello, World!" | ncat -l 8080

Now, visiting http://localhost:8080 in a browser will display “Hello, World!”.

Encrypting Communication

Ncat supports SSL encryption. To start a secure server:

$ ncat --ssl -l 1234

To connect securely from another machine:

$ ncat --ssl <server-ip> 1234

 

Ncat is an essential tool for network testing, troubleshooting, and secure communication. Its flexibility makes it a must-have for security professionals and penetration testers.