If diving into network analysis and embarking on a cybersecurity journey is your goal, then Wireshark is an indispensable addition to your toolkit.
As a free and open-source packet analyzer, Wireshark empowers you to capture and scrutinize network traffic as it unfolds.
It’s a critical instrument for network administrators, security experts, and developers to decode the intricacies of network activities.
In this blog, I will outline the process of installing and setting up wireshark for kali linux, tailored for those who are new to the field, much like myself.
What is wireshark for kali linux
Wireshark is a free and open-source network protocol analyzer that allows users to capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network.
Wireshark is a widely-used network protocol analyzer that allows you to see what’s happening on your network at a microscopic level.
It’s an essential tool for network administrators, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone who needs to troubleshoot network issues or monitor network activity.
Wireshark can capture network packets and display them in detail, providing the ability to analyze the traffic and understand the data flowing through a network.
Here are some of the key features of Wireshark:
Packet Capture: Wireshark can capture live data packets from a variety of network interfaces or read pre-captured packet files.
Protocol Analysis: It supports the analysis of over 1,700 protocols, including popular ones like TCP, IP, HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and many others.
User Interface: Wireshark provides a user-friendly interface for viewing and analyzing packets. It allows users to filter traffic, follow conversations between devices, and inspect the details of individual packets.
Statistics and Graphs: The tool offers various statistics functions that can help in network troubleshooting, such as signal-to-noise ratio, throughput, and packet loss calculations. It also provides graphical representations of this data.
Customization: Users can customize Wireshark with Dissectors for specific protocols, and they can also extend its functionality with plugins.
Cross-Platform Support: Wireshark is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris.
Security Features: It has features for analyzing encrypted traffic, such as SSL/TLS, and it can also decode some encrypted protocols if the appropriate keys are available.
Although, Wireshark is a powerful tool that is widely used by network administrators, security professionals, and anyone who needs to understand the details of network communication.
However, it should be used responsibly, as capturing and analyzing network traffic can potentially invade privacy and is often subject to legal regulations.
How does Wireshark work?
Wireshark operates as a network protocol analyzer, which means it captures and dissects network packets to provide a detailed view of what’s happening on a network.
It has the capability to capture network traffic across a variety of interfaces including Ethernet, Bluetooth, wireless (adhering to IEEE 802.11 standards), token ring, and frame relay, to name a few.
Here’s a simplified explanation of how it works:
Packet Capture: Wireshark listens to a network connection in real-time and captures streams of traffic, which could include tens of thousands of packets at a time.
Filtering: With the help of filters, Wireshark can sort through the captured data to isolate the specific information you’re interested in.
Visualization: Wireshark allows you to delve into the contents of each packet and visualize entire conversations and network streams, making it easier to pinpoint the root cause of network issues.
How to install and run wireshark for kali linux
Wireshark software is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
It can be downloaded from the Wireshark official website, ensuring you have access to the latest version for your operating system.
wiresharkdownload offical website: https://www.wireshark.org/download.html
To install wire shark software from the command line in Kali Linux, you can follow the steps below:
Open a terminal and log in with root privileges.
Enter the following command to update the package list:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
This will update your system to the latest version and ensure that any necessary dependencies are installed.
After ensuring your system is current, you’re ready to install Wireshark.
On Kali Linux, initiate the installation by executing the command below in your terminal:
sudo apt-get install wireshark
Executing this command will fetch and install the most recent iteration of Wireshark onto your machine.
During the installation process, you will be prompted to allow non-super users to run Wireshark. select “Yes” to continue the installation.
Once Wireshark is installed, it’s advisable to set it up for use by non-root users.
Initially, only the root user can operate Wireshark, which poses a security concern.
To mitigate this, you can adjust the settings to permit non-root users to execute Wireshark.
You can achieve this by inputting the following command in your terminal:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure wireshark-common
This command will prompt a configuration dialogue where you can opt for “Yes” to enable packet capture by non-root users.
After selecting your preference, click “OK” to apply the new settings.
Once the installation is complete, enter the following command to start Wireshark:
wireshark
The process of install and run wireshark for kali linux is completed.
These commands will install Wireshark on the command line in Kali Linux and allow you to start Wireshark in the terminal to capture and analyse network packets.
You can begin packet capture by choosing the desired interface and clicking the “Start” button.
Conclusion
Wireshark for kali linux is a powerful network analysis tool that’s available on Kali Linux Operate System.
It’s typically included by default in Kali Linux distributions, so you may not need to install it separately.
However, if you need to install or reinstall Wireshark on Kali Linux, you can do something like using the following command we mentioned in the article before.
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