Netstat is a network monitoring and diagnostic program that can detect and display active network connections or open ports on a computer. It can be used to diagnose network problems, scan for malware or spyware, and is included in most modern operating systems.
Netstat, unofficial short for network statistics, is a computer program used for network monitoring and diagnostic purposes. It can detect and display active network connections or open ports on a computer, making it a useful tool for both average users and network administrators. Some potential uses for the program include diagnosing network problems and inspecting a computer for trojans or spyware. It is included or available for virtually all major operating systems primarily as a command-line tool, although graphical interfaces also exist.
The intimate details of a computer’s network connections are usually hidden from view. Most users are content with seeing whether or not their computer is connected to a network and capable of exchanging data over that network. There are times, however, when it’s helpful or necessary to dig deeper and look at what a computer does behind the scenes. Netstat is a software utility that allows users to do exactly that by displaying a myriad of network information.
Netstat works by monitoring and discovering network connections between a user’s computer and other machines on a local area network or the Internet. It’s versatile enough to distinguish between multiple network protocols, and can even display routing information that shows how a computer will connect to a particular network location. The program can also detect on which ports, if any, a computer is listening for incoming connections.
There are a number of reasons why a user might want to inspect their network activity using netstat. The program can be used to search for or diagnose network problems, as it can display both open connections and the number of errors that occurred when trying to reach a remote server. It can also be used to scan for malware or spyware; unexplained network connections on a computer with few or no programs open could be caused by malicious software acting without your knowledge. Open ports can also be an indication of a Trojan waiting for instructions from remote systems.
One contributing factor to netstat’s popularity is its inclusion in virtually every modern operating system, from Microsoft® Windows® to Linux and Unix-like operating systems. It was designed as a command-line tool, which means that a user has to type commands into a terminal or command prompt. Users unfamiliar with a command line interface may wish to consult the manual or help file by typing “netstat /?” on Windows® or “man netstat” on other platforms. There are also several programs that provide a graphical interface to netstat and may be of more interest to those with little or no command line experience.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
