To check if promiscuous mode is enabled, click Capture > Options and verify the “Enable promiscuous mode on all interfaces” checkbox is activated at the bottom of this window. If you have promiscuous mode enabled-it’s enabled by default-you’ll also see all the other packets on the network instead of only packets addressed to your network adapter. Wireshark captures each packet sent to or from your system. You can configure advanced features by clicking Capture > Options, but this isn’t necessary for now.Īs soon as you click the interface’s name, you’ll see the packets start to appear in real time. For example, if you want to capture traffic on your wireless network, click your wireless interface. Capturing PacketsĪfter downloading and installing Wireshark, you can launch it and double-click the name of a network interface under Capture to start capturing packets on that interface. Don’t use this tool at work unless you have permission.

You can also click Analyze > Display Filters to choose a filter from. When you start typing, Wireshark will help you autocomplete your filter. For example, type dns and you’ll see only DNS packets. Just a quick warning: Many organizations don’t allow Wireshark and similar tools on their networks. The most basic way to apply a filter is by typing it into the filter box at the top of the window and clicking Apply (or pressing Enter).

Wireshark display filter increment