Wireshark Lab

Hands-on packet-capture investigation across real-world network forensics scenarios

Overview

Step into the role of a network forensics analyst. You're handed captured traffic from seven realistic incidents — cleartext credential theft, DNS tunneling, malware beaconing, port sweeps, SSH brute force, ARP spoofing, and encrypted data exfiltration. Read the packets like Wireshark, apply display filters, follow the guided investigation, and prove your findings before the answer key is revealed.

Why This Lab Matters

Wireshark is the universal language of network analysis — every SOC, IR team, and network engineer uses it to turn raw frames into a story. Packet-level intuition is what separates someone who reads an alert from someone who can explain exactly what happened on the wire.

What You'll Gain

  • Practice reading Wireshark-style packet tables, display filters, and decoded payloads
  • Work seven scenarios spanning credential theft, C2, recon, MITM, and exfiltration
  • Learn analyst techniques: Follow TCP Stream, DNS length analysis, beacon timing, ARP poisoning
  • Build the packet-level mental model behind SIEM alerts and IDS signatures