How to Find What Protocol Altered System Administrator in Wireshark

In the world of cybersecurity, system administrators often find themselves dealing with various protocols that can alter their systems. Identifying which protocol caused the alterations is crucial for troubleshooting and ensuring the security of the network. Wireshark, a powerful network protocol analyzer, can be used to track down the protocol responsible for the changes. This article will guide you through the process of finding out which protocol altered the system administrator in Wireshark.

Step 1: Capture the Network Traffic

The first step in identifying the protocol that altered the system administrator is to capture the network traffic. Open Wireshark and select the appropriate network interface to start capturing packets. Ensure that you have a proper capture filter to capture only the relevant traffic. For example, you can use a filter like “arp” to capture only ARP packets or “tcp” to capture only TCP packets.

Step 2: Analyze the Packets

Once you have captured the network traffic, it’s time to analyze the packets. Look for any unusual or unexpected packets that may indicate a protocol alteration. Pay attention to the following aspects:

1. Source and destination IP addresses: Check if the packets are originating from or destined to suspicious IP addresses.
2. Source and destination ports: Look for any unusual or unexpected ports being used in the traffic.
3. Protocol: Examine the protocol field in each packet to identify the protocol being used.

Step 3: Identify the Protocol

To identify the protocol responsible for the alterations, you can follow these steps:

1. Look for patterns: Analyze the packets and look for patterns or sequences that may indicate a specific protocol. For example, if you notice a series of HTTP GET requests, it could be an indication of a web-based attack.
2. Use Wireshark’s built-in filters: Wireshark provides various built-in filters that can help you identify specific protocols. For instance, you can use the filter “http” to capture only HTTP packets.
3. Consult Wireshark’s protocol documentation: If you are still unable to identify the protocol, consult Wireshark’s protocol documentation for more information on the protocols you suspect.

Step 4: Investigate the Protocol

Once you have identified the protocol responsible for the alterations, it’s essential to investigate it further. Consider the following:

1. Research the protocol: Look for information about the protocol, including its purpose, common uses, and potential vulnerabilities.
2. Analyze the captured packets: Examine the packets related to the protocol to understand the nature of the alterations and identify any malicious activities.
3. Implement security measures: Based on your findings, take appropriate actions to mitigate the risks associated with the protocol. This may include updating software, configuring firewalls, or applying patches.

Conclusion

Finding out which protocol altered the system administrator in Wireshark involves capturing network traffic, analyzing packets, identifying the protocol, and investigating it further. By following these steps, system administrators can effectively troubleshoot and secure their networks. Wireshark’s powerful features make it an invaluable tool for identifying and mitigating potential threats in the network.