KFSensor
KFSensor is a self-hosted Windows honeypot that detects intrusion attempts by simulating vulnerable services and trojans.
What KFSensor is
KFSensor is a self-hosted Windows honeypot that detects intrusion attempts by simulating vulnerable services and trojans. Its Professional edition monitors TCP and UDP ports and detects ICMP or ping messages, exposing attack behavior while keeping the simulated environment under control. Emulated services include HTTP and HTTPS, SMTP, SMB/CIFS, SOCKS, SQL Server, MySQL, FTP, POP3, Telnet, Terminal Server, and VNC. Users can write simulations in Perl or C, and Honeyd scripts are supported. Events can be sent in real time to SIEM systems such as ArcSight and Qradar, or to UNIX Syslog, Windows Event Log, external applications, and optionally an ODBC SQL database. Reports and graphs can be filtered by time period, attack type, and visitor location, with configurable alerts including email. Enterprise centralizes multiple sensors, remote reconfiguration, and signature updates, using 3072-bit RSA authentication and 256-bit AES encryption for sensor communications.
Good
- Monitors every TCP and UDP port
- Emulates many common network services
- Supports custom Perl and C simulations
- Real-time SIEM event integration
- Reports filterable by attack details
Watch out
- Windows-only platform
- Professional edition costs $599, paid once
- Several features require WinPcap or Npcap support
- No free plan
Who it suits
KFSensor suits Windows security teams that need a self-hosted honeypot and service emulation. Enterprise features are intended for deployments using multiple sensors and central management.
Verdict
KFSensor provides broad service emulation, event routing, and reporting for Windows honeypot deployments. The Professional license is paid, with Enterprise adding centralized multi-sensor management.
Plans and prices
From KFSensor's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| KFSensor Professional One Year Subscription | $120 a year | requires a previously purchased Professional license; one subscription per license · $120 USD for one year |
| KFSensor Professional Edition | $599, paid once | single stand alone honeypot installation · Price per license: US $599 |
| KFSensor Enterprise Edition | Priced on request | multiple honeypot installations; requires Enterprise Administrator and Sensor licenses · Get a quote online now |
| KFSensor Enterprise One Year Subscription | Priced on request | one year of extended support and maintenance · Please ask for a quote |
The facts
Each one read from KFSensor's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Attack response
- It emulates real services to reveal attack behavior while maintaining control and avoiding the risk of compromise.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Custom emulation
- Users can write simulations in languages including Perl and C, and KFSensor is compatible with Honeyd scripts.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Encrypted remote management
- Enterprise secures sensor communications with 3072-bit RSA authentication and 256-bit AES encryption, according to the features page.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Enterprise management
- Enterprise combines events from multiple sensors in a central console and supports remote reconfiguration and centralized signature updates.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Other integrations
- KFSensor can send alerts to UNIX Syslog, the local Windows Event Log, or an external application, and can optionally store events in an ODBC SQL database.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Packet capture dependency
- KFSensor works without WinPcap installed, but several features will be disabled; the download page also offers Npcap.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- KFSensor is a Windows honeypot system that detects intrusions by simulating vulnerable system services and trojans.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Reports and alerts
- The product provides reports and graphs filterable by time period, attack type, and visitor location, plus configurable alerts including email.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The maker says KFSensor follows least privilege and does not require Admin or root privileges to function.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Service emulation
- Emulated services include HTTP and HTTPS, SMTP, SMB/CIFS, SOCKS, SQL Server, MySQL, FTP, POP3, Telnet, Terminal Server, and VNC.checked 7 Oct 2026
- SIEM integration
- KFSensor sends events to SIEM systems in real time and lists ArcSight and Qradar as supported integrations.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- License purchases include email support and upgrades for one year, after which an optional subscription extends support and maintenance for another year.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Traffic monitoring
- Professional monitors every TCP and UDP port and detects ICMP or ping messages.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- KeyFocus Ltd. says it was founded in 1994 and is based in the UK.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial and supported Windows
- The Professional free trial download page lists Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to KFSensor
- 1
Canarytokens
Free planAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted6.6Free plan - 2
OpenCanary
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted6.5Free plan - 3
Honeytrap
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 4
Thinkst Canary
WebAPILinuxmacOS6.2From $7,500 a year - 5
Honeyd
Free planLinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.0Free plan - 6
MedPot
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.0Free plan