Wireshark operates as a powerful network protocol analyzer that captures and displays network traffic in real-time. It allows users to inspect the data packets moving through a network interface, providing detailed information about protocols, packet contents, source and destination addresses, and timing details. Wireshark supports a wide range of protocols and can analyze both live network traffic and saved packet capture files, making it a valuable tool for network troubleshooting, security analysis, protocol development, and educational purposes.
To run Wireshark, start by downloading and installing the application on your computer or device. Once installed, launch Wireshark and select the network interface you want to capture traffic from (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi). Click on the interface and then click the “Start” or “Capture” button to begin capturing packets. Wireshark will display a live feed of captured packets, allowing you to apply filters, analyze packet details, and view protocol hierarchies. To stop the capture, click the “Stop” button, and you can then review and analyze the captured data using Wireshark’s various tools and features.
Wireshark can capture and analyze a wide range of network traffic, including packets transmitted over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and other network interfaces. It can decrypt encrypted traffic if the necessary keys are provided, allowing analysis of protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, FTP, SSH, and many others. Wireshark can capture traffic from both local networks and across the internet, depending on the network interface and permissions granted to the user. It provides detailed insights into packet contents, protocol behavior, packet timings, errors, and anomalies, making it indispensable for network administrators, security analysts, developers, and anyone interested in understanding network communication at a granular level.
