Reaver vs Aircrack-ng vs Wireshark vs NetApp: Which Risk Assessment & Compliance tool is Best in 2025?

Reaver is a robust open-source wireless network auditing tool for ethical hacking, integrated into Kali Linux (version 2024.06.R1). As a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) brute-force tool for cybersecurity, it exploits WPS vulnerabilities to recover WPA/WPA2 passphrases, making it a premier wireless password recovery tool for penetration testing. With an 851 KB size, Reaver automates attacks and includes Wash, a WPS-enabled access point scanner for reconnaissance.

Aircrack-ng is a comprehensive open-source toolkit pre-installed in Kali Linux (version 1.7), designed for cybersecurity professionals and penetration testers. This wireless network auditing suite for ethical hacking cracks WEP and WPA/WPA2 keys, captures packets, and executes advanced attacks, making it a leading wireless security testing tool for penetration testing. With a 2.44 MB footprint and utilities like airodump-ng and aireplay-ng, Aircrack-ng empowers users to secure wireless networks effectively.

Wireshark is an open-source, free network protocol analyzer widely regarded as the industry standard for capturing and analyzing network traffic in real time. Used by network administrators, cybersecurity professionals, and ethical hackers, Wireshark enables deep packet inspection, troubleshooting, and protocol analysis across various network types, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Its robust feature set and user-friendly interface make it an essential tool for monitoring network performance, detecting vulnerabilities, and ensuring robust network security.

NetApp is an American company based in San Jose, California, focused on intelligent data infrastructure. It helps businesses manage, store, and protect data across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, serving industries like healthcare, finance, and technology. Founded in 1992, it’s known for its ONTAP operating system and partnerships, such as with the NFL for data-driven football innovations.