What is a .NTAR file?
NTAR is a Next Generation packet capture (pcapng) - the modern successor to .pcap, able to store multiple interfaces, comments and richer metadata.
- Did you know
- pcapng was nicknamed NTAR during its design, and unlike old pcap it can record captures from several network cards in one file.
- pcapng adds optional comment blocks, so an analyst can annotate individual packets right inside the capture file.
- It is now the default save format in Wireshark, which switched away from the older single-interface pcap.
- What Analyser reads
- Identify and read more security and forensics files: OpenPGP messages/keys/signatures (.pgp/.gpg/.sig - armor type, packet walk, key algorithm and user ID, secret-key warning), YARA rules, Snort/Suricata IDS rules, STIX/OpenIOC threat intel, Fiddler captures (.saz), 1Password exports (.1pux), Apple Keychain, KeePass 1.x (.kdb), Microsoft keys (.pvk) and AFF/AFF4 forensic images.
- Depth of analysis
- .NTAR is an identification-grade format: Analyser recognises it from its bytes and decodes the header metadata it carries, rather than opening it in a full viewer. Formats that do get a full viewer are marked "Full" on the formats page.
- Open a .NTAR file
- Drag a .NTAR file onto the Analyser home page (or tap to pick one). It is identified entirely in your browser - nothing is uploaded, there is no account, and it works offline once installed.