Netcat Cheat Sheet

Netcat, widely known as a net admin’s Swiss Army Knife, is a command line network utility that can read and write data  across TCP and UDP network connections. It can be used as a powerful port scanner, port listener, port re-director and a backdoor to anyone who gets familiar with the commands.

All the tables provided in the cheat sheets are also presented in tables below which are easy to copy and paste.

The Netcat cheat sheet covers:

  • Installation
  • Run Modes
  • Netcat Command Flags

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Netcat Cheat Sheet installation and run modes

View or Download the cheat sheet PDF file

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What’s included in the cheat sheet

The following categories and items have been included in the cheat sheet:

Installation / Run Modes

Installation / Run Modes


Client Mode


Connect to a host located anywhere


Client Mode Syntax


nc options hostname port[1] port[2]...


Server Mode


Listen for incoming connections


Server Mode Syntax


nc -l -p port [hostname] [port]


Netcat Command Flags

Netcat Command Flags


Option


Description


Example


-h


Help


nc -h


-z (host name)(port range)


Port scan for a host or IP address


nc -z 10.1.1.1 1-100


-v


Verbose scan


nc -z -v 10.1.1.1 1-100


-n


Fast scan by disabling DNS resolution


nc -z -n 10.1.1.1 1-100


-l


TCP server mode


nc -l -p 50


>


Server file redirection


netcat -l -p 1000 > scan.txt 


<


Client file redirection


nc 10.1.1.1 1000 < scan.txt


-k


Listen to port & IP address after connection close


nc -k -l 1000


-w


Define timeout value


nc -w 180 10.1.1.1 2222


-4


IPv4 only


nc -4 -l 1000


-6


IPv6 only


nc -6 -l 1000


Netcat FAQs

What is Netcat used for?

Netcat is a port scanner and monitor that can also be used to transfer files and execute transferred programs. It is of use to network administrators and it is also used by hackers.

Which option of the Netcat command allows it to scan multiple ports?

You can scan a range of ports with the Netcat command: 

nc -zv hostname.com <port_from>-<port_to> 

alternatively 

nc -zv hostname.com <port_from> <port to>

How do I use Netcat on Windows?

Netcat is available in Windows but it doesn’t have an app with a graphical user interface. Instead, you have to enter cmd in the Start menu search field and click on Command Prompt in the results list. Enter an nc command at the prompt to run the service.

How do I scan a port using Netcat?

Netcat is a command-line utility that is launched with the letters nc followed by switches and a port number or range.