packet sniffers

[rojay]

Hey there. To make a long story short, someone in my dorm is sending me a bunch of harassing messages over AIM and won't tell me his name. It's not that I'm worried about my safety or anything, I just don't want to deal with stupid people. 8^) Anyway, the easiest way I can think of to track him is using a packet sniffer. Problem is, there isn't one with 2000 (well, there is for the server edition, which I don't have). Does anyone know of a good freeware packet sniffer? Or, does anyone know if the packet sniffer for NT4 server would work with 2000? Thanks much.

 

[TheCandyman]

actually I have network associates Sniffer Pro and it works with Win 2000 just fine.

 

[Xanathar]

AIM is Server to Client communications, you will not be able to see his source IP. Unless he is on the same Hub (not switch) as you, you wont be able to see his end of the communications either.

 

[Ladi]

Why not just add him to your block list so you don't have to deal with him? Or create a second name to use when you want to hide out from most people?

Even if you were just looking for AIM communications (assuming you could figure it out...packet sniffers aren't exactly the easiest applications to learn quickly), chances are that the vast majority of students at your school use AIM.

~Ladi

 

[rojay]

My dorm is on one hub, I can get it. Unless, of course, he's not in my dorm after all, in which case I'm screwed.

 

[rojay]

Eh, I could just block him, but if he's willing to threaten me (most people wouldn't, I can take care of myself), he's probably willing to threaten other people who can't deal with him. I want him out, if possible. That requires tracking him down.

 

[Ladi]

If you're *that* concerned, then get logs and take them to reslife (your RA)...but harassing messages generally don't mean anything, doesn't violate most housing/student policies, and unless there's concrete physical harm being threatened, then there's nothing to be concerned about (nor will reslife or the cops really find it that interesting). If there is something to be concerned about, resnet or computer services have the tools, expertise, and jurisdiction to track somebody down if absolutely necessary.

Playing hero and trying to track down this kid who's probably just fooling around isn't really worth the effort or energy.

~Ladi

 

[rojay]

Whoa there, I'd consider playing hero something like going physically to his room. All I want is his IP addy, then I can hand that, along with the chat logs (which threaten to kill me, amongst other things) to my RD and let them take care of it.

 

[TheCandyman]

You should take in to consideration that in most educational environments that sniffers are not permitted to be in use without the network admin. (I used to work in the computer office as a network geek at my college) The first thing that I would do is contact your Network admin and then see what he can do for you. You might also consider talking to AOL...