Wireshark: Packet Analysis and Ethical Hacking: Core Skills Course Syllabus

A compact, lab-driven course designed to teach foundational and practical packet analysis skills using Wireshark, with direct applications in network troubleshooting and ethical hacking. This course spans approximately 6 hours of hands-on learning, divided into eight modules that progress from installation and interface navigation to advanced analysis and real-world case studies. Learners will gain experience through practical labs using real network captures, developing the ability to identify anomalies, decode common protocols, and detect malicious activity. The course concludes with structured exercises that reinforce core skills in cybersecurity and network forensics.

Module 1: Course Introduction & Setup

Estimated time: 0.25 hours

• Install Wireshark and configure capture interfaces
• Review essential network fundamentals for packet analysis
• Understand course structure and learning objectives

Module 2: Wireshark Interface & Basic Capture

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Explore Wireshark layout: menus, packet list pane, details pane, and byte pane
• Perform first packet capture on wired networks
• Conduct packet capture on wireless networks
• Interpret live capture data

Module 3: Capture & Display Filters

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Learn BPF syntax for capture filters
• Create effective capture filters to reduce noise
• Use display filters to isolate specific traffic post-capture
• Apply common filter expressions for troubleshooting

Module 4: Protocol Analysis Foundations

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Decode Ethernet frames and interpret frame structure
• Analyze IPv4 and IPv6 packet headers
• Examine ARP requests and responses
• Identify protocol anomalies and performance bottlenecks

Module 5: Deep Dive into TCP, HTTP, & DNS

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Follow TCP streams and analyze handshake process
• Reassemble TCP sessions for data inspection
• Inspect HTTP requests and responses
• Analyze DNS query and response patterns

Module 6: Advanced Wireshark Features

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Apply coloring rules to highlight traffic patterns
• Create and manage custom columns
• Enable and interpret name resolution settings

Module 7: Ethical Hacking with Packet Analysis

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Recognize signs of DoS attacks in packet captures
• Detect port scanning and network reconnaissance
• Identify IP spoofing and other malicious behaviors
• Use packet forensics for vulnerability discovery

Module 8: Hands-On Labs & Case Studies

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Analyze real-world network capture files
• Solve structured troubleshooting challenges
• Apply ethical hacking techniques to uncover security issues

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic networking concepts (IP addresses, MAC addresses, OSI model)
• Basic understanding of TCP/IP protocol suite
• Access to a computer capable of running Wireshark

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Navigate and configure Wireshark’s interface for effective packet capture
• Apply capture and display filters to isolate relevant network traffic
• Analyze common protocols (TCP, HTTP, DNS) and troubleshoot network issues
• Utilize advanced Wireshark features like coloring rules and custom columns
• Leverage packet analysis techniques for ethical hacking and vulnerability discovery