What does Kismet do?

• A. It is a DNS resolver.
• B. It is a network detector, packet sniffer, and intrusion detection system for 802.11 wireless LANs.
• C. It is a web server.
• D. It is a password cracker.

Answer: (B)

Kismet is a wireless network analysis tool designed to sense the wireless airwaves. It acts as a detector, a packet sniffer, and an intrusion-detection-type system for 802.11 wireless LANs. By passively monitoring traffic on one or more channels, it can discover access points and clients, even if networks aren’t openly advertising themselves, by examining beacon frames, probe requests/responses, and other wireless frames. It runs with compatible wireless adapters in monitor mode and can log captures for deeper analysis, helping you map the wireless environment, spot rogue APs, and identify insecure configurations. This role is specific to wireless security assessment, and it isn’t used as a DNS resolver, a web server, or a password cracker.