URL Snooper

URL Snooper is a powerful tool in the Multimedia category, specifically under Editors & Converters, designed to help users locate the URLs of audio and video files so they can be recorded. Developed by DonationCoder, the latest version, 2.42.1, comes in a compact size of 2.9 MB and is available for Windows XP, XP Professional, Vista, 7, 8, 10, 11. Previous versions, such as 2.4, 2.3, and 2.2, are also accessible for those who might need them.

The core functionality of URL Snooper involves monitoring network traffic to identify potential URLs, especially streaming audio and video URLs, that are often hidden behind JavaScript or ActiveX scripts. Once these URLs are identified, they can be copied and used with a download manager like FlashGet or Download Accelerator Plus to retrieve the files.

One of the standout features of URL Snooper is its ability to start working as soon as it's launched, quickly analyzing selected sites to sniff out multimedia URLs. Users have the option to dive into advanced features, allowing them to set network sniffing options, select a browser to view links, or add keyword filters for more precise searches. Despite its somewhat unattractive interface, the program's utility shines through with features like smart packet spanning to eliminate split-URLs and improved identification of protocols, duplicates, and URL arguments.

Noteworthy improvements in the latest version include a totally revamped and cleaner user interface, new dynamic URL filtering keywords, enhanced context menu support, and the ability to customize the browser selection and favorites menu. The software also includes recording hints and website links, adding to its versatility as a media URL discovery tool.

Pros:

1. Freeware license ensures no cost to the user.
2. Efficiently finds hidden multimedia URLs behind scripts.
3. Advanced features for fine-tuning network sniffing.
4. Improved user interface and customizable options.
5. Lightweight at just 2.9 MB, making it easy to download.

Cons:

1. The interface, although improved, remains fairly unattractive.
2. Requires an additional download manager to retrieve identified files.
3. Installation of the WinPCap sniffing engine driver might pose issues for some users.

Overall, URL Snooper is a highly effective tool for discovering and recording streaming media URLs from the web, making it a valuable addition to any multimedia enthusiast's toolkit.

You may want to check out more software, such as Directory Snoop, The Wheat Snooper or Snoop, which might be similar to URL Snooper.