Thanks all for your replies and tips.

My circumstances changed since my original post, and I am no longer "resting", and been working to 7/8PM quite a bit. However I did install Ubuntu on my Laptop as a dual boot, and was pretty impressed with it, and all the functionality I required (chat, email, multimedia. browsing, office type stuff etc)
I got some help getting over initial hurdles and got some of the hacking apps installed and running. I'm hoping to follow up on it very soon.

What would you guys say is the best shareware/freeware sniffer for WAN at the moment, and password recovery/hacker tools.
Windows would be good, but Linux versions give me an opportunity to continuing reeducation in that area.

thanks again guys
bfh

A buddy just sent me an email about this device, and I did a quick search here, with no results. http://www.wifirobin.com/
Has anyone tried this device, or can reply with links to reviews, user feedback etc?
Be interested if it lives up to its claims

thanks
bfh

Hi All

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post, but Mods, by all means move it as necessary.

I'm an IT pro of a number of years, currently "resting". Most of my work has been in the IBM Host sphere, although I have also worked on Unix or clone systems, and performed a number of multi platform projects.
I'm a pretty experienced PC hobbyist, fixing a number of buddies hardware and software issues, and giving them the benefit of my experience.

I'm currently refreshing via Ubuntu Linux, as most of the better tools for Network hacking seem to be in this area.
I'm looking to make a few buddies who I can learn from, and indeed share my knowledge with, but would be particularly interested in getting a couple of people that would act as mentors over my first initial hurdles.
Someone that I could ask via email, or some form of chat, when I hit a problem, which might be a bit dumb to ask on an open forum.

For instance, I have versions of Ubuntu I run from CD. I haven't been brave enough to make dual boot systems, but I do have 3 PCs in the house, plus a Laptop, so intend installing it on there.
But when I get some of the code, for instance Kismet, I am a bit dumb about how I install it, and in which environment.

Anyway, hears hoping some of you guys can spare a bit of time in what will be my big fact hunt.

Thanks