Aircrack-ng: Pen Testing Product Overview and Analysis

See our complete list of top penetration testing tools. Aircrack-ng Overview Aircrack-ng is the go-to tool for analyzing and cracking wireless networks. All the various tools within it use a command line interface and are set up for scripting. This is good news for veteran security professionals, but an open-source Linux orientation may challenge those […]

Written By: Drew Robb
Oct 2, 2019
eSecurity Planet content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

See our complete list of top penetration testing tools.

Aircrack-ng Overview

Aircrack-ng is the go-to tool for analyzing and cracking wireless networks. All the various tools within it use a command line interface and are set up for scripting. This is good news for veteran security professionals, but an open-source Linux orientation may challenge those more used to proprietary tools running on Windows platforms.

Type of tool: Wireless network analyzer and attacker

Key features: Aircrack-ng is a set of utilities for analyzing WiFi networks for weaknesses. You can use it to monitor WiFi security, capture data packets and export them to text files for additional analysis. Capture and injection of WiFi cards can be done to verify their performance. And pen testers can use it to attack and crack WPA and WEP protocols.

This is an open source product available from SecTools. Its focus is 802.11 wireless LANs, with tools available to sniff wireless packets, intercept them and log traffic, manage wireless drivers, recover lost keys, and detect issues and crack WPA and WEP.

Aircrack-ng was originally designed for Linux but its functionality has been extended to include Windows, OS X, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Solaris and eComStation 2. By injecting enough frames into wireless traffic, it can eventually crack WEP and WPA-PSK keys.

Differentiator: Tailored to wireless networks, cracks wireless passwords

What it can’t do: Monitor or conduct pen testing on non-wireless networks

Cost: Free

thumbnail Drew Robb

Originally from Scotland, Drew Robb has been a writer for more than 25 years. He lives in Florida and specializes in IT, engineering, and business. As well as eWeek and TechRepublic, he writes for a wide range of magazines including Gas Turbine World, SDxCentral, and HR Magazine. He is the author of Server Disk Management in a Windows Environment (Auerbach Publications).

Recommended for you...

Free Antivirus Software Face-Off: Which One Protects Best?

Find the best free antivirus software of 2025. Compare Bitdefender, Avira, Kaspersky & more for features, speed, and real-time defense.

Matt Gonzales
Aug 13, 2025
The 6 Best Password Managers for Small Businesses (Tested and Trusted)

Discover the best password manager for small businesses in 2025. See top-rated picks with MFA, admin tools, and passkey support.

Matt Gonzales
Jul 29, 2025
Protect Your Privacy: Best Secure Messaging Apps in 2025

Looking for the safest way to chat in 2025? Explore the best secure messaging apps with end-to-end encryption and zero data tracking.

Liz Ticong
Jun 25, 2025
Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender: Compare Antivirus Software

Compare Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender antivirus software. We rate malware detection, pricing plans, privacy features, and more.

Jenna Phipps
May 27, 2025
eSecurity Planet Logo

eSecurity Planet is a leading resource for IT professionals at large enterprises who are actively researching cybersecurity vendors and latest trends. eSecurity Planet focuses on providing instruction for how to approach common security challenges, as well as informational deep-dives about advanced cybersecurity topics.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.