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Wireshark

7 Amazing Benefits of Using Wireshark for Network Analysis

In today’s world, we use the internet for almost everything—business, communication, and security. But sometimes, networks slow down, payments fail, or hackers try to attack. Normal tools can’t always find out why these problems happen.

That’s where Wireshark helps.

Wireshark is not just another network tool. It is a powerful program that shows what’s really going on in your network. IT teams, cybersecurity experts, and network admins use Wireshark to find problems, fix issues, and keep networks safe.

This guide will teach you step by step how to use Wireshark, from installation to advanced tips, all in simple language.

Internal Tip: Want to dive deeper into web application penetration testing? Explore tools, techniques, and step-by-step guides at FaizanTechCore.com!

Table of Contents

What is Wireshark?

Wireshark is the world’s most powerful open-source packet sniffer and network protocol analyzer. It captures and dissects every bit of traffic flowing through your network interface, allowing you to:

✅ Monitor network performance
✅ Inspect packets across OSI layers
✅ Troubleshoot connectivity issues
✅ Detect security threats
✅ Analyze protocol behaviors

Think of it as the Swiss Army knife for network analysts.

Key Features of Wireshark

1. Live Packet Capture

Wireshark can capture all network traffic, even the data not meant for your device.

2. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)

It can read hundreds of protocols like:

  • HTTP/HTTPS (web traffic)
  • DNS (website lookups)
  • TCP/UDP (basic internet traffic)
  • VoIP (voice and video calls)

3. Advanced Filters

  • Capture Filters – choose what to capture.
  • Display Filters – focus on important data.

4. Visual Tools

  • I/O Graphs – show network speed over time.
  • Flow Graphs – visualize data streams.
  • Expert Info – highlight network errors.

5. Works on All Systems

Wireshark works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How to Install Wireshark (Easy Steps)

1. Download Wireshark

Go to the official site: www.wireshark.org

2. Install on Windows

  • Run installer as Administrator.
  • Select Npcap for packet capture.
  • Finish setup and open Wireshark.

3. Install on macOS

In Terminal, type:

brew install –cask wireshark

Allow permissions if asked.

4. Install on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install wireshark

sudo usermod -aG wireshark $USER

Log out and log back in.

How to Capture and Analyze Packets

Start Your First Capture:

  1. Open Wireshark.
  2. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet interface.
  3. Click the Shark Fin icon to start.
  4. Click the Red Square to stop.

Understand Wireshark Interface:

  • Packet List – shows captured packets.
  • Packet Details – shows protocol layers.
  • Packet Bytes – shows raw data (hexadecimal).

Important Tools:

✔ Follow TCP Streams – see full conversations.
✔ Expert Info – shows errors and warnings.
✔ Color Rules – highlight important packets.

How to Use Wireshark Filters

Capture Filters (Before Capture)

host 192.168.1.1         # Capture specific IP

tcp port 443             # Capture HTTPS traffic

not arp                  # Ignore ARP packets

Display Filters (After Capture)

bashCopyEdithttp.request             # Show HTTP requests

dns.qry.name == “example.com”  # Filter DNS queries

tcp.analysis.retransmission    # Find retransmissions

Pro Tip: Use ip.addr == x.x.x.x to focus on one IP.

Advanced Wireshark Techniques

Network Performance:

  • Use I/O Graphs to spot slowdowns.
  • Analyze TCP Stream Graphs for data flow.

Security Analysis:

  • Find Port Scans:

tcp.flags.syn==1 and tcp.flags.ack==0

  • Spot Suspicious Traffic:

ip.addr != 192.168.1.0/24

Protocol Analysis:

  • http – See web traffic.
  • dns – Fix website lookup issues.
  • VoIP – Check call quality.

Real-Life Wireshark Use Cases

1. Fix Slow Networks

Use filters like

tcp.analysis.retransmission

tcp.analysis.window_update

2. DNS Problem Solving

dns.flags.response == 0

Look for failed responses.

3. Security Threat Hunting

  • Check for unknown connections.
  • Detect too many SYN packets (possible scans).

Pro Tips for Wireshark Users

✅ Save files as .pcapng for better analysis.
✅ Use time columns to spot delays.
✅ Mark important packets for quick access.
✅ Try TShark for command-line usage.

Conclusion: Become a Wireshark Expert

Wireshark turns raw network data into useful information. Whether you’re fixing slow networks, solving DNS problems, or hunting for hackers, Wireshark gives you the tools to succeed

What to Do Next:

  • Download Wireshark and practice.
  • Use sample captures from Wireshark’s site.
  • Join Wireshark forums to learn from experts.

Remember: Wireshark is not just a tool—it’s a superpower for network analysis

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