History of Angry IP Scanner

Angry IP Scanner was created by Anton Keks, a software developer from an early age. The initial idea came from a need for a simple, fast, and effective tool to scan IP addresses and ports. At the time, existing network scanners were often complex, slow, or lacked the specific features he needed. The first version, written in C++, was released in 2001. It was a small, standalone executable for Windows that quickly gained popularity among network administrators and tech enthusiasts for its speed and simplicity.

The key to Angry IP Scanner's speed is its multithreaded scanning approach. Instead of scanning hosts one by one, it creates a separate scanning thread for each IP address. This parallel processing allows it to scan a large number of hosts in a very short amount of time, a feature that set it apart from many of its contemporaries. This focus on performance and efficiency has remained a core principle of the software throughout its development.

In 2004, the project was rewritten in Java to make it cross-platform. This was a significant milestone, as it allowed Angry IP Scanner to run on Windows, macOS, and Linux, greatly expanding its user base. The switch to Java also made the software more extensible, paving the way for a plugin system that would allow users to add new features and functionality. This open architecture has been a key factor in the software's longevity and continued relevance. Over the years, the community has contributed numerous plugins, adding support for new protocols, enhancing data collection, and integrating with other tools. The project has always been open-source, which has fostered a collaborative environment where users can contribute to its development, report bugs, and suggest new features. This community involvement has been instrumental in shaping the software into the powerful and versatile tool it is today.