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Network Security and Packet Analysis

This document discusses the importance of network security and packet analysis in protecting IT systems from cyber threats, using Wireshark as a primary tool for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. It outlines common security threats, the process of packet analysis, and practical use cases for detecting unauthorized access and malware communications. Additionally, it provides guidance on using Wireshark, including installation, capturing packets, applying filters, and best practices for enhancing network security.

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6 views

Network Security and Packet Analysis

This document discusses the importance of network security and packet analysis in protecting IT systems from cyber threats, using Wireshark as a primary tool for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. It outlines common security threats, the process of packet analysis, and practical use cases for detecting unauthorized access and malware communications. Additionally, it provides guidance on using Wireshark, including installation, capturing packets, applying filters, and best practices for enhancing network security.

Uploaded by

Sports Land
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Network Security and Packet Analysis

Introduction
Network security plays a crucial role in protecting IT systems from cyber
threats. Packet analysis is a core technique used in cybersecurity to
monitor, capture, and analyze network traffic for troubleshooting and
detecting security breaches.
This guide introduces packet analysis using Wireshark, a popular network
analysis tool, and highlights its role in securing networks.

1. Understanding Network Security


Network security involves strategies, tools, and technologies used to
safeguard network traffic, prevent unauthorized access, and mitigate
cyber threats.
Common Network Security Threats:
 Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks – Overloading a system to cause
failure.
 Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks – Intercepting network traffic.
 Malware & Ransomware – Malicious programs that infect systems.
 Packet Sniffing – Capturing network packets to steal sensitive data.
Why is Packet Analysis Important?
Packet analysis allows security professionals to detect and prevent
malicious activities, analyze traffic patterns, and troubleshoot connectivity
issues.

2. Introduction to Packet Analysis


Packet analysis is the process of capturing and inspecting network
packets to understand data flow, detect anomalies, and secure
communications.
What is a Network Packet?
A network packet is a small unit of data sent over a network. Each packet
consists of:
 Header – Contains source & destination IP addresses, protocol type,
and routing information.
 Payload – The actual data being transmitted.
 Trailer – Used for error checking.
Packet Analysis Use Cases:
1. Detecting Unauthorized Access – Identifying suspicious IP addresses
attempting to connect.
2. Network Performance Monitoring – Finding bottlenecks and latency
issues.
3. Identifying Malware Communications – Detecting unusual traffic
patterns indicating a compromise.

3. Wireshark for Packet Analysis


Wireshark is one of the most widely used tools for capturing and analyzing
network traffic. It provides a graphical interface to inspect packets in real
time.
Installing Wireshark:
Wireshark can be downloaded from wireshark.org. It supports multiple
operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Capturing Packets with Wireshark:
1. Open Wireshark and select the network interface to monitor (e.g.,
Ethernet, Wi-Fi).
2. Click Start Capture to begin collecting live network traffic.
3. Stop the capture once enough data is collected.

4. Using Filters in Wireshark


Wireshark provides display filters to analyze specific types of traffic.
Common Wireshark Filters:

Filter Function

ip.addr == Show traffic from/to a specific IP


192.168.1.1 address.

tcp.port == 443 Display HTTPS (SSL/TLS) traffic.

udp.port == 53 Show DNS query traffic.

Display HTTP GET and POST


http.request
requests.

Example Use Case:


 To identify suspicious traffic, filter packets from unknown IPs.
 To troubleshoot network issues, check for TCP retransmissions or
dropped packets.

5. Advanced Packet Analysis for Network Security


Security analysts use packet analysis for detecting security threats.
Identifying Malware Activity:
 Look for suspicious connections to unknown IPs.
 Detect large outbound data transfers, which may indicate data
exfiltration.
Detecting a DDoS Attack:
 Sudden spike in incoming network requests.
 Multiple requests from the same IP address range.
Incident Response Using Packet Analysis:
1. Capture network traffic when an attack is detected.
2. Analyze logs to identify the attack vector.
3. Block malicious IPs using firewall rules.
4. Investigate further using SIEM tools.

6. Best Practices for Packet Analysis in Network Security


 Use encryption (TLS, VPN) to prevent packet sniffing.
 Monitor network logs for suspicious activity.
 Apply firewall rules to block malicious traffic.
 Update security tools to detect the latest threats.

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