SelfishNet v0.1 beta is a classic Windows-based network management tool used to monitor and control the internet bandwidth of devices on a local network
. It is widely used for prioritizing bandwidth for gaming or streaming by limiting or blocking other connected users without needing access to the router's administration panel. Key Features Real-Time Monitoring
: View all devices connected to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, including their IP and MAC addresses. Bandwidth Capping
: Set specific upload and download speed limits (in KB/s) for individual devices. Device Blocking selfishnet v0.1 beta
: Completely cut off internet access for specific users with a single checkbox. No Router Login Required : Works by using ARP Spoofing
, tricking other devices into thinking your computer is the network gateway. Installation Requirements To run SelfishNet v0.1 beta (often found as SelfishNet_v0.2_beta_vista.exe for newer Windows versions), you must have the following:
: This driver is essential for the software to capture and inject network packets. Administrative Privileges : You must right-click the application and select "Run as administrator" to allow it to access network data. .NET Framework 3.5 SelfishNet v0
: Some versions may prompt you to install this feature before the app will open. How to Use Extract the Files : Use a tool like to unzip the downloaded folder. Install Drivers
: Run the installer in the "Redist" folder (usually WinPcap).
: Right-click the executable (often in the "Win 7 & Up" folder) and run as administrator. Network Discovery : Click the Network Discovery button (often a blue icon) to scan for devices. Start Redirecting : Click the icon to begin controlling the traffic. Set Limits : Type your desired limit in the Download Cap Upload Cap columns (e.g., for 200 KB/s) and hit Enter. Stay ethical, stay curious, and always ask for
Even in its early beta state, SelfishNet packed a punch. Here are the primary functionalities that made it famous:
It is a digital fossil. Unless you are restoring an old Windows XP LAN party machine for nostalgia, skip it. The code is buggy, the security holes it exploits have been partially patched by modern router firmware (like ARP protection), and the legal risk isn't worth the "fun."
If you want to learn network security: Install Kali Linux on a VM, learn arpspoof and BetterCAP. They do what SelfishNet tried to do, but correctly and safely.
Have you found a working copy of SelfishNet in the wild? Drop a comment below (for historical documentation only, of course).
Stay ethical, stay curious, and always ask for permission before poking the network.