What is network traffic analysis?

Network traffic analysis means capturing and inspecting the packets flowing across a network to understand what communications are happening, detect anomalies, and find signs of intrusions or malware. It's a core skill in defense (blue team), digital forensics, and incident response.

Tools and methodology

Wireshark is the reference tool for deep packet inspection; tcpdump for command-line capture; and IDS/IPS solutions like Suricata or Zeek for continuous analysis. The methodology starts with capturing at the right point, filtering by protocol or host, and correlating suspicious patterns: connections to malicious IPs, exfiltration, scans.

What is it used for in cybersecurity?

Intrusion detection, malware analysis by observing its communications (C2), performance diagnostics, and forensic evidence after an incident. Being able to read traffic separates an analyst who understands what really happened on the network from one who only reads alerts.