Network Analysis Using ifconfig and iwconfig

Learn how to use simple tools to gain information about networks and check their status.

Introduction to networking

Understanding networks is crucial for aspiring hackers, pentesters, and web administrators. Working over a network is a requirement in many standard penetration tests. As such, this lesson (and the following lessons) will cover a number of tools that are used in analyzing and managing networks during the pentesting process.

Analyzing networks with ifconfig

The ifconfig tool is used for examining and interacting with active network interfaces. Pentesters query active networks by entering ifconfig in the Linux terminal and surveying the information presented. Let’s test out the command below and see what information it has for us:

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