Rogue DHCP Servers Could Destroy Your PC
If you frequently experience network access problems, as well as connection speed related issues, then your computer could be connected to the Internet through a rogue DHCP server. This type of network device could also represent a source of network attacks, because it is capable to sniff your traffic and control user privacy. Rogue DHCP servers can be spotted with the help of intrusion detection software, like the new free portable application (RogueChecker) provided by Microsoft Windows DHCP Team.
Due to the fact that a rogue DHCP server acts like a legitimate one by providing IP addresses, default gateways, DNS servers or WINS servers to the users connected to a network, they are considered to have a critical impact on the clients computers.
For example, an incorrect IP address will determine the impossibility to access the desired hosts or in the worst case, your computer could become a rogue DHCP server, because a DNS changing Trojan is capable to install one on a compromised machine connected to a network.
RogueChecker will permit you to detect the existence of any rogue DHCP server. The software does not require installation: it can be deployed after you extract the content of the distribution archive. RogueChecker will scan the computer network and display the list of the rogue DHCP servers found in the local subnet.
According to the Microsoft Windows DHCP Team, these are the main feature of the RogueChecker intrusion detection software:
-The tool can be run one time or can be scheduled to run at specified interval.
-Can be run on a specified interface by selecting one of the discovered interfaces.
-Retrieves all the authorized DHCP servers in the forest and displays them.
-Ability to validate (not Authorize in AD) a DHCP server which is not rogue and persist this information
-Minimize the tool, which makes it invisible. A tray icon will be present which would display the status.
RogueChecker is available for free download from the Microsoft Windows DHCP Team blog (the application is very lightweight, having just 86 KB in size).
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