netcat

What it does

Additional features

Features include slow-send mode, loose source routing, and an optional telnet-options responder.checked 9 Oct 2026

Automation

The project describes Netcat as a back-end tool that can be driven by other programs and scripts.checked 9 Oct 2026

Availability

The author says Netcat is freely given away with no restrictions except giving credit where due.checked 9 Oct 2026

Connection modes

It supports both outbound and inbound connections on arbitrary ports.checked 9 Oct 2026

Contact and feedback

The author invites comments, questions, and patches at [email protected].checked 9 Oct 2026

Customization

The page describes Netcat as a basic, easily modified template for writing other network applications.checked 9 Oct 2026

Data handling

It sends network data to standard output and can capture sent and received data in a hex dump.checked 9 Oct 2026

Network diagnostics

It includes port scanning and full DNS forward and reverse checking with warnings.checked 9 Oct 2026

Optional execution behavior

The -e option can execute a program after a successful connection when compiled with GAPING_SECURITY_HOLE, and the page says to use it with great care.checked 9 Oct 2026

Project status

The SourceForge project page describes this as a memorial of the original Hobbit version 1.10 and lists its last update as 2018-01-11.checked 9 Oct 2026

Purpose

Netcat reads and writes data across network connections using TCP or UDP.checked 9 Oct 2026