
Filtering: Wireshark is capable of slicing and dicing all of this random live data using filters. It also allows you to visualize entire conversations and network streams.įigure 1: Viewing a packet capture in Wireshark Visualization: Wireshark, like any good packet sniffer, allows you to dive right into the very middle of a network packet.By applying a filter, you can obtain just the information you need to see. Packet sniffing can be compared to spelunking – going inside a cave and hiking around. Folks who use Wireshark on a network are kind of like those who use flashlights to see what cool things they can find.

Cybersecurity professionals often use Wireshark to trace connections, view Wireshark has many uses, including troubleshooting networks that have performance issues.Īfter all, when using Wireshark on a networkĬonnection (or a flashlight in a cave), you’re effectively using a tool to hunt around tunnels and tubes to see what you can see. The contents of suspect network transactions and identify bursts of network traffic. It’s a major part of any IT pro’s toolkit – and hopefully, the IT pro has the knowledge to use it. Wireshark is a safe tool used by government agencies, educational institutions, corporations, small businesses and nonprofits alike to troubleshoot network issues.
