Wireshark

Wireshark
Name	Wireshark
Developer	Gerald Combs, University of Missouri–Kansas City
Released	1998
Operating system	Cross-platform, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Genre	Network protocol analyzer
License	GNU General Public License

Wireshark is a popular network protocol analyzer used for capturing and analyzing network traffic on local area networks and wide area networks, developed by Gerald Combs and initially released in 1998 at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. It is widely used by network administrators and cybersecurity professionals, such as those at Cisco Systems, IBM, and Google, to troubleshoot network problems and analyze network security threats, including those related to IPv6 and Internet of Things devices. Wireshark is also used in academic research institutions, including Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University, to study computer networks and cybersecurity.

Introduction

Wireshark is a free and open-source software that can capture and analyze network traffic on various network protocols, including TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, and DNS, which are essential for Internet communication. It is available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, making it a versatile tool for network analysis and troubleshooting, similar to Tcpdump and Ngrep. Wireshark is used by network engineers and cybersecurity experts at companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform to analyze network performance and identify potential security threats, such as those related to SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Features

Wireshark has a wide range of features that make it a powerful tool for network analysis and troubleshooting, including packet capture, protocol analysis, and network visualization, which are also used in Network Intrusion Detection Systems like Snort and Suricata. It supports various capture interfaces, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB, and can capture network traffic on multiple network interfaces simultaneously, similar to Tcpdump and Ngrep. Wireshark also has a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily navigate and analyze network traffic, including filtering and sorting capabilities, which are essential for network forensics and incident response.

History

Wireshark was first released in 1998 by Gerald Combs as a network protocol analyzer called Ethereal, which was later renamed to Wireshark in 2006 due to trademark issues with Ethereal Networks. Since its initial release, Wireshark has undergone significant development and has become one of the most popular network protocol analyzers available, used by network administrators and cybersecurity professionals at organizations like National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security. Wireshark has also been used in various academic research projects, including those at University of California, Berkeley, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge.

Capture_and_Analysis

Wireshark can capture and analyze network traffic on various network protocols, including TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, and DNS, which are essential for Internet communication. It can also capture network traffic on multiple network interfaces simultaneously, making it a powerful tool for network analysis and troubleshooting, similar to Tcpdump and Ngrep. Wireshark's capture and analysis capabilities are used by network engineers and cybersecurity experts at companies like Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, and Palo Alto Networks to analyze network performance and identify potential security threats, such as those related to SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Security_and_Vulnerabilities

Wireshark can be used to analyze network security threats, including malware, viruses, and Trojans, which are a major concern for cybersecurity professionals at organizations like National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security. It can also be used to identify potential vulnerabilities in network protocols and network devices, such as those related to IPv6 and Internet of Things devices. Wireshark's security and vulnerability analysis capabilities are used by network administrators and cybersecurity professionals at companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform to protect their networks and systems from potential security threats.

Development_and_Contributors

Wireshark is developed and maintained by a community of developers and contributors from around the world, including Gerald Combs, University of Missouri–Kansas City, and Cisco Systems. The Wireshark project is hosted on GitHub and is released under the GNU General Public License, making it a free and open-source software. Wireshark's development and contributors are supported by various organizations and institutions, including National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and European Union, which provide funding and resources for the development and maintenance of Wireshark.

Category:Network protocol analyzers