How to Use the Command 'airmon-ng' (with Examples)

The airmon-ng command is part of the aircrack-ng suite of tools used for network auditing and security testing of wireless networks. This powerful command allows users to manage wireless network interfaces, particularly for switching network devices into monitor mode, which is essential for packet sniffing and wireless security assessments. This tool is highly valued among network security professionals, penetration testers, and advanced network enthusiasts interested in monitoring and auditing wireless networks.

Use Case 1: List Wireless Devices and Their Statuses

Code:

sudo airmon-ng

Motivation:

Knowing the status and details of your wireless devices is crucial when diagnosing connectivity issues or when preparing for a security audit. Running this command provides insights into the available wireless interfaces on your system, their statuses, and relevant chipset information. This is the first step in wireless network testing and monitoring, offering a snapshot of the network capabilities your system can leverage.

Explanation:

• sudo: Executes the command with superuser privileges, necessary for accessing network interfaces at a low level.
• airmon-ng: The command-line tool being executed, which interacts with network interfaces.

Example Output:

PHY     Interface       Driver          Chipset

phy0    wlan0           iwlwifi         Intel Corporation Wireless-AC 9560 [Jefferson Peak]

The output lists the wireless devices, their driver details, and the chipset information, which help identify the hardware and software stack you’re working with.

Use Case 2: Turn on Monitor Mode for a Specific Device

Code:

sudo airmon-ng start wlan0

Motivation:

Switching a wireless device into monitor mode is essential for capturing all wireless traffic, not just traffic directed to it. This is vital for security professionals conducting network analysis or auditing wireless communication. Monitor mode allows the interface to capture packets without being associated with an access point, providing a full view of the network communication landscape.

Explanation:

• sudo: Executes the command with administrative privileges, necessary for modifying network interface states.
• airmon-ng: The tool being used to manage the network interface.
• start: Specifies the operation to initiate monitor mode.
• wlan0: The wireless network interface targeted for mode-switching into monitor mode.

Example Output:

PHY     Interface       Driver          Chipset

phy0    wlan0           iwlwifi         Intel Corporation Wireless-AC 9560 [Jefferson Peak]

(rfkill check kill)

with a following message indicating success:

Monitor mode enabled on wlan0mon

The transformation of wlan0 into wlan0mon signifies the switch to monitor mode, ready for packet analysis.

Use Case 3: Kill Disturbing Processes That Use Wireless Devices

Code:

sudo airmon-ng check kill

Motivation:

When engaging in network security analysis, other system processes might interfere with your device’s ability to enter monitor mode or capture packets effectively. Common culprits include network managers or specific applications actively using the network interface. Eliminating these disruptions ensures the targeted device operates exclusively for security auditing tasks, preventing conflicts and maximizing data integrity.

Explanation:

• sudo: Required for stopping system processes, as this action needs administrator rights.
• airmon-ng: Tool used for managing network interfaces’ modes.
• check kill: Command sequence that not only assesses potential conflicts but also terminates interfering processes.

Example Output:

Killing interfering processes
[process list with IDs]

Here, each listed process is identified and terminated, ensuring no active process interferes with the monitoring activities.

Use Case 4: Turn Off Monitor Mode for a Specific Network Interface

Code:

sudo airmon-ng stop wlan0mon

Motivation:

After completing network auditing or packet capture tasks, it is important to return your network interface to its original managed mode, ensuring regular network connectivity and operation. This transition also helps conserve system resources and maintain standard wireless network functionality post-assessment.

Explanation:

• sudo: Executes with superuser rights, necessary for switching interface modes.
• airmon-ng: The tool to handle network device modes.
• stop: Command to cease monitor mode operations.
• wlan0mon: The network interface currently in monitor mode, as identified from the enabling process.

Example Output:

PHY     Interface       Driver          Chipset

phy0    wlan0mon        iwlwifi         Intel Corporation Wireless-AC 9560 [Jefferson Peak]

Station mode enabled on wlan0

The network interface, initially set to monitor mode (wlan0mon), is now returned to station mode, allowing normal connectivity and interactions within the wireless environment.

Conclusion:

The airmon-ng command within the aircrack-ng suite is indispensable for network auditing and security professionals, providing crucial functionality for interacting with wireless devices. Whether listing devices, enabling or disabling monitor mode, or ensuring unobstructed network assessments, airmon-ng streamlines the processes crucial for effective wireless network security testing. These examples and explanations should provide a solid foundation for utilizing the command in various scenarios.