Ping Sweeping

Ping sweeping is a method used in network reconnaissance.The ping tool is commonly used for host detection purposes.In other words we can use a ping tool to find whwther a remote host is alive or not.This makes use of the ICMP(Internet Control Message Protocol).

So lets see how a ping works :

Attacker => ICMP Echo request => Host

Host => ICMP Echo Reply => Atatcker ( If host is alive)

                              OR

Host => No Response => Attacker (If host is not alive)

How to do Pinging...?

start > run > type ping  ( avoid the < > while typing )

or

You can type in the command prompt  ping

Using ping command we can find out the status of only 1 host. But for an attacker it is important to know about the entire network.So for that Pinging each and every IP manually is not practical.The ping tool in the OS is very slow.So there arise the need for a faster technique. Thus we introduce a new method called ping sweeping.Using this method the attacker can probe and check a wide range of hosts simultaneously to find its status. So in other words for pinging an entire IP range we can use Ping Sweeping.

In the end of this post I will list out some tool s which may help you to start with.You can search the internet to find more good tools.

Ok.. Now its time that I should tell you what are the other uses rather MISUSES of ping sweeping.

1)We can execute Denial of Services attacks.In security arena people usually call these as DOS attacks.

2)For OS detection purposes.OS detection is very important for a hacker.Different OS's have different vulnerabilities, a hacker makes use of this knowledge to break in to the system.

3)To know about the number of live hosts in a network.

4)To know about the up time and the down time of a server.

 I am listing some tools with which you can try out ping sweeping.

cping

fping

superscan

Nmap