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Wireshark for Beginners

Capture Packets

David Dalsveen

In this Guided Project, Wireshark for Beginners: Capture Packets, learners will take on the role of a novice security analyst helping a company detect certain network traffic on their server by capturing and analyzing web traffic. Such skills are invaluable in both cybersecurity and software development domains for better understanding the communication going on between a client and a server.

In this 1.5-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to set up and use Wireshark to capture, save, and filter HTTP and HTTPS packets.

In order to be successful in this project you should understand computer networking terminology such as IP address, HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, and handshakes.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Project Overview

In this guided project, you will use Wireshark to capture packets on a certain interface and use filters to observe website traffic.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops mastery of Wireshark for HTTP and HTTPS packet analysis

Teaches skills directly relevant to Cybersecurity and Software Development

Provides foundational knowledge for security analysts

Instructs by recognized expert David Dalsveen

Introduces essential computer networking concepts

Course requires learners have foundational knowledge of computer networking

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wireshark for Beginners: Capture Packets with these activities:

Find a mentor in the cybersecurity or networking field

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Gain valuable guidance and support from an experienced professional. This will help you accelerate your learning and gain insights into the industry.

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Identify potential mentors through your network or online platforms.
Reach out to them and express your interest in mentorship.
Establish regular meetings or communication channels.
Seek their advice and guidance on your career and learning journey.

Attend a local meetup or conference on cybersecurity or networking

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Connect with professionals in the field and gain insights from their experiences. This will broaden your knowledge and provide you with valuable networking opportunities.

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Research upcoming cybersecurity or networking events in your area.
Register and attend the event.
Network with attendees and learn about their work.
Follow up with any promising connections you make.

Review computer networking terminology

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Reinforce your understanding of the foundational concepts and terminology used in computer networking. This will strengthen your understanding of the topics covered in this course.

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Write down and define key terms related to computer networking, such as IP address, HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, and handshakes.
Create flashcards or use online resources to test your knowledge of these terms.
Discuss these terms with a friend or colleague who is also familiar with computer networking.

Five other activities

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Practice capturing and analyzing HTTP packets using Wireshark

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Strengthen your hands-on skills in using Wireshark to capture and analyze web traffic. This will allow you to apply the techniques you learn in the course to real-world scenarios.

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Set up Wireshark on your computer and familiarize yourself with its interface.
Capture HTTP packets from a website you visit regularly.
Use Wireshark's filters to isolate and analyze specific HTTP packets.
Interpret the results to understand the communication between the client and server.

Attend a workshop on advanced Wireshark techniques

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Enhance your Wireshark skills through hands-on practice and expert guidance. This will provide you with a deeper understanding and practical experience with advanced techniques.

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Research and identify workshops that align with your learning goals.
Register and attend the workshop.
Actively participate in exercises and discussions.
Apply the techniques you learn to real-world scenarios.

Explore advanced Wireshark features for troubleshooting network issues

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Take your Wireshark skills to the next level by learning about advanced features for troubleshooting network issues. This will help you diagnose and resolve problems more effectively.

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Find online tutorials or documentation on advanced Wireshark features.
Install and enable any necessary plugins or extensions.
Practice using these features to troubleshoot common network issues.
Share your knowledge with others through a blog post or presentation.

Create a visual representation of the HTTP handshake process

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Engage with the material in a creative way by mapping out the steps involved in the HTTP handshake process. This will help you visualize and better understand the sequence of events that occur during web communication.

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Research and gather information about the HTTP handshake process.
Use a diagramming tool or software to create a flowchart or sequence diagram.
Include details such as the roles of the client and server, the exchange of messages, and any security measures involved.
Share your visualization with others to explain the process in a clear and engaging way.

Develop a troubleshooting guide for common network issues using Wireshark

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Solidify your knowledge and enhance your problem-solving skills by creating a practical resource. This will help you retain information and be better prepared to resolve network issues in the future.

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Identify common network issues and their symptoms.
Research and gather information on how to troubleshoot these issues using Wireshark.
Organize the information into a clear and concise guide.
Test your guide by troubleshooting a real-world network issue.

Career center

Learners who complete Wireshark for Beginners: Capture Packets will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing security systems for networks. This course may be useful for Network Security Engineers who want to learn how to use Wireshark to detect and investigate security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Incident Responder

Incident Responders are responsible for responding to security incidents and breaches. This course may be useful for Incident Responders who want to learn how to use Wireshark to investigate security breaches and identify the root cause.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers are responsible for testing the security of networks and systems by simulating attacks. This course may be useful for Penetration Testers who want to learn how to use Wireshark to identify vulnerabilities in networks and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Security Engineer

Security Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing security systems. This course may be useful for Security Engineers who want to learn how to use Wireshark to detect and investigate security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Vulnerability Researcher

Vulnerability Researchers are responsible for identifying and disclosing security vulnerabilities in software and systems. This course may be useful for Vulnerability Researchers who want to learn how to use Wireshark to identify vulnerabilities in network traffic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Researcher

Forensic Analyst

Forensic Analysts are responsible for investigating computer crimes. This course may be useful for Forensic Analysts who want to learn how to use Wireshark to recover evidence from network traffic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Analyst

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts are responsible for analyzing malware to identify its capabilities and how it can be prevented or removed. This course may be useful for Malware Analysts who want to learn how to use Wireshark to investigate malware infections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. This course may be useful for Information Security Analysts who want to learn how to use Wireshark to detect and investigate security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts are responsible for protecting networks and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful for Cybersecurity Analysts who want to learn how to use Wireshark to detect and investigate security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for protecting networks and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful for Security Analysts who want to learn how to use Wireshark to detect and investigate security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain networks. This course may be useful for Network Engineers who want to learn how to use Wireshark to troubleshoot network issues and improve the performance of their networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

IT Auditor

IT Auditors are responsible for assessing the security and compliance of IT systems. This course may be useful for IT Auditors who want to learn how to use Wireshark to investigate security breaches and identify compliance violations.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of computer systems. This course may be useful for Systems Administrators who want to learn how to use Wireshark to troubleshoot network issues and improve the performance of their systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course may be useful for Software Developers who want to learn how to use Wireshark to troubleshoot network issues and improve the performance of their applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators monitor and troubleshoot networks, working to ensure that they are running smoothly and securely. This course may be useful for Network Administrators who want to learn how to use Wireshark to capture and analyze network traffic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wireshark for Beginners: Capture Packets.

Practical Packet Analysis, 3rd Edition

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provides a practical guide to using Wireshark to troubleshoot network problems. It covers all the basics of Wireshark, as well as advanced topics such as packet filtering and scripting.

Wireshark for Beginners

Capture Packets

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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