Everyday I am impressed at what I find for Linux software, especially security related software such as sniffers. I wanted to see what was availible for instant messenger sniffers and sure enough I found a cool looking program called ChatSniff. For all you Ubuntu users, they’ve got a debian package for you to install on their homepage.

ChatSniff is an easy to use program for Linux that monitors, or “sniffs” networks for AIM, MSN, Yahoo! and Jabber instant messages. It requires recent versions of python, python-gtk2, python-glade2, and tethereal.

python-pyao (for sound) and gksu are optional, but recommended (the packages require them).

Enhancements:
- Moved to single instance of tethereal
- Removed “any” device from device list
- First time case for net dev selection
- Major HIG/UI adjustments (brad)
- Moved to a single pane view
- Added status bar
- Added auto-start
- Added toolbar
- Major code cleanup
- Packet output cleanup
- Better error dialog formating
- Added versioning to preferences
- Start/stop timestamps
- Help dialog now reflects reality
- No more ugly empty space above first packet
- Sundry minor tweaks