How to Use Netcat for Windows

Netcat for Windows is a free program, originally written by Weld Pond and Hobbit. Nowadays the best way to use Netcat is the version that is included in Nmap for Windows, at http://nmap.org/download.html#windows.

Netcat is basically telnet on steroids. For example, using netcat, you can set up a port -- also known as a back door, depending on your motivation -- that will allow people to telnet into a DOS shell. Use this command:

C:\>nc -L -p 5000 -t -e cmd.exe

You can specify a different port number than 5000. Just make sure it doesn't conflict with another port by checking with the netstat command. Then you and your friends, enemies and random losers can either telnet in or netcat in with the command:

C:\>nc -v [ipaddress of target] [port]

Of course you will probably get hacked for setting up this port. However, if you set up a sniffer to keep track of the action, you can turn this scary back door into a fascinating honeypot. For example, you could run it on port 23 and watch all the hackers who attack with telnet hoping to log in. With some programming you could even fake a unix-like login sequence and play some tricks on your attackers.

For more on how to hack with telnet, see the Beginners Guide #8 at http://www.happyhacker.org/gtmhh/begin11.shtml

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