WinPcap - what is it?

[EnterpriseF]

Hi,
I just bought a wireless game adapter and the software required to configure the adapter wants to install WinPCap on my machine. I think this is used for capturing network information but I'm not sure. Does anyone have any info on this? Is it safe or am I inviting trouble?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

It's safe. It's a packet capture driver. However, I'm not sure why a wireless game adapter should need it.

What is the product you bought? It is probably possible to install the drivers/software without WinPCap.

 

[EnterpriseF]

It's safe. It's a packet capture driver. However, I'm not sure why a wireless game adapter should need it.

What is the product you bought? It is probably possible to install the drivers/software without WinPCap.

Here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OIB6XI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Weird little device. Looks like it needs WinPCap in order to configure itself (it has to capture traffic to determine its setup needs.) So yeah, go ahead. Once it's installed and configured, presumably attached to whatever device you ultimately plan to hook it up to, you can uninstall WinPCap.

 

[EnterpriseF]

Thank you for your spot on advice. The PS3 is now working with the new adapter.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Glad to be of help.