cryptcat

netcat with twofish encryption

TLDR

Listen on a port with encryption

$ cryptcat -k password -l -p 1234

Connect to a port with encryption

$ cryptcat -k password host 1234

Connect with timeout

$ cryptcat -k password -w 10 host 1234

Port scan a host

$ cryptcat -v -z host 1-1024

Proxy data between local and remote

$ cryptcat -k password -l -p 8080 | cryptcat -k password host 80

Transfer a file

$ cryptcat -k password -l -p 1234 < file.txt

SYNOPSIS

cryptcat [options] [hostname] [port]

DESCRIPTION

cryptcat is netcat with twofish encryption capabilities. It provides the same functionality as netcat but with encrypted data transmission for secure communication over untrusted networks.

PARAMETERS

-k PASSWORD

Specify encryption password

-l

Listen mode (act as server)

-p PORT

Specify local port number

-w SECONDS

Timeout for connects and final net reads

-z

Zero-I/O mode (scanning)

-v

Verbose mode

-n

Numeric-only IP addresses, no DNS

-u

UDP mode instead of TCP

Both ends must use the same password for encryption. If no password is specified with -k, cryptcat uses the hardcoded default password "metallica", making the connection effectively unencrypted. This tool is intended for authorized security testing and legitimate encrypted communication.

HISTORY

cryptcat was developed as a secure version of netcat, adding twofish encryption to prevent eavesdropping on network communications.