Tool of the Week: Wireshark

Wireshark is a free, open-source tool every cybersecurity professional should know how to use. It captures and analyzes network traffic in real-time, allowing you to inspect the data flowing in and out of your system, packet by packet.

Both defenders and attackers use this powerful tool to uncover what’s happening on a network. Whether you’re investigating a potential intrusion or learning how data moves through a system, Wireshark gives you a front-row seat.

What Can You See with Wireshark?

By capturing packets, Wireshark can help you identify:

• Malicious traffic or suspicious behavior
• Misconfigured protocols
• Unencrypted data being transmitted
• IP addresses, ports, and other metadata

Understanding how to analyze this traffic is a valuable skill in both professional environments and capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions.

Want to sharpen your skills?

Check out What Are CTFs and Why Should You Do Them.