Abstract

The rapid advancement of wireless technologies has introduced new challenges in cybersecurity, particularly in ethical hacking practices that rely on effective wireless auditing tools. This paper investigates the development, capabilities, and limitations of two prominent tools  Aircrack-ng and Bettercap by conducting a structured literature analysis of academic and technical sources from 2018 to 2025. Rather than performing empirical testing, the study focuses on synthesizing existing findings to trace the evolution of these tools and evaluate their relevance in contemporary ethical hacking scenarios. The analysis reveals that Aircrack-ng, while reliable for traditional Wi-Fi auditing, lacks adaptability to modern, multi-protocol environments. In contrast, Bettercap offers broader protocol support and real-time attack simulation, making it more aligned with dynamic, adversarial testing needs. This comparative examination highlights the shifting paradigms in wireless penetration testing, emphasizing the need for toolsets that can evolve alongside emerging threats. The findings provide ethical hacking practitioners with a clearer understanding of how tool development impacts testing strategy and operational effectiveness.