Wireshark VPN- How to Use Wireshark? Guide to Using VPNs with Wireshark

VPNs can be subjected to misleading advertising. Some VPNs profess to encrypt your data- the chief point of using a VPN in the first place – only for users to find out that their network data traffic wasn’t encrypted when the VPN has connected after all. Luckily, packet sniffers like Wireshark can be employed to verify exactly that. (also see, How to Test a VPN Connection)

What is a packet sniffer?

Packet sniffers – otherwise known as protocol analyzers or packet analyzers – are tools that are used for distinguishing network-related intricacies. While packet sniffers are seldom used to obtain user traffic and passwords by cybercriminals, they are also applied for things like determining network solutions by technicians and system controllers.

Irrespective of the purpose we use them, packet sniffers are extremely useful.

We can also use them with VPNs. From snuffing network data traffic to testing your VPN’s encryption, packet sniffers have many uses. Fortunately, here, we want you to learn how to use this tool to enhance your online security. This is why we put together this guide on utilizing the packet sniffer Wireshark with VPN technology!

What is Wireshark?

Wireshark is a network packet analyzer (or packet sniffer) that carries network packets and then presents the captured packet data in particular for the user. Wireshark has various uses – from troubleshooting network problems to testing security vulnerabilities.

When teamed with a VPN, Wireshark can verify that a connection is encrypted and working promptly. It can also be utilized to collect data traffic from your network and VPN tunnel.

Installing a Wireshark VPN

A Wireshark VPN can be set up on any operating system. Despite there being a slight discrepancy in the installation of Windows/Linux vs. Mac, both installations are straightforward to do.

Installing Wireshark VPN on PC

To set up a Wireshark VPN on PC, you’ll need a few things:

• Router/Firewall that allows VPN connections
• Your IP address (grab it at www.ipchicken.com)
• A Wireshark VPN

When the requirements are sufficient, you can advance to your Wireshark VPN setup.

1. Navigate to your VPN’s website
2. Pick the corresponding installation file
3. Download the installation file Air VPN download
4. Follow the installation directions given by your VPN provider AirVPN Instructions
5. Review terms & conditions
6. Find your VPN application & launch it to start the configuration
7. Register a username and password
8. Connect to a suggested server
9. Run your Wireshark VPN & enjoy digital privacy

Install Wireshark VPN on Mac

Just like Windows/Linux, you’ll require a few things before you can configure your Wireshark VPN using Mac:

• Server IP or suitable domain
• Username & password
• Connection type (L2TP/PPTP)

After getting the requirements necessary, you can advance to your Wireshark VPN’s setup.

1. Click System Preferences
2. Select Network
3. Click on the + button
4. Under interface, select VPN
5. Specify your connection type as PPTP or L2TP
6. Select Configuration
7. Choose the Add Configuration option
8. Name it “Server 1”
9. Type your VPN server’s IP address/FQDN and username
10. Choose Authentication Settings
11. Enter your password
12. If your connection is L2TP, enter the shared secret
13. Choose Show VPN status in the menu bar
14. Select Apply
15. Enjoy your Wireshark VPN!

By default, Mac only passes necessary Wireshark VPN traffic through your Wireshark VPN. If you want to move all traffic through it, you need to complete a few additional steps.

1. Go to System Preferences
2. Select Advanced
3. Tick Send all traffic over VPN connections
4. Select Ok
5. Select the drop-down cog menu
6. Select Set Service Order
7. Drag the services, so your VPN is at the top
8. Enjoy your Wireshark VPN!

Installing Wireshark

Installation for Wireshark is relatively straightforward. Depending on your OS, you just need to download the corresponding installation file and then execute it.

Installation on Windows

1. Navigate to Wireshark’s download page & select Windows 32 or 64-bit
2. Let the installation file complete its download & then click on it
3. Wireshark Setup will appear – select “Next.”
4. When prompted with the License Agreement, select “I Agree.”
5. Choose the components you’d like to install & select “Next.”
6. Tick any shortcuts you’d like to make & select “Next.”
7. Choose your Destination Folder & select “Next.”
8. When prompted, tick the option to install WinPcap & select “Next.”
9. OPTIONAL: tick the option to install USBPcap & select “Next.”
10. Wireshark will begin the installation
11. Setup for WinPcap will pop up – follow the installation prompts
12. Setup for USBPcap will show up (if you chose to install it) – follow the prompts.
13. After Wireshark Setup is complete, reboot your system by ticking it and selecting “Finish.”
14. After the reboot, you’re ready to use Wireshark!

Install Wireshark on Linux

1. Open up Terminal by selecting CTRL+ALT+T
2. Type (without quotations): “sudo apt-get update.”
3. And then “sudo apt-get install Wireshark.”
4. Wait for the installation to perform & type “Wireshark”
5. The Wireshark application will open up!

Installing Wireshark on Mac

1. Select Command+Space
2. Type “Terminal”
3. Select Enter/Return
4. Type in the Terminal (without quotations): “ruby -e “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)” < /dev/null 2> /dev/null”
5. Select Enter/Return
6. After the command is complete, type “brew install Wireshark.”

If that installation brings up issues, you can try:

1. Downloading Wireshark straight from the website
2. Mount the disk image
3. Follow the installation prompts
4. Once the installation is complete, drag the Wireshark app to your Applications folder
5. Open your Utility Folder via the disk image
6. Drag the Startup folder to your desktop
7. Eject the disk image
8. Open the copied Startup folder
9. Delete “README.macosx”
10. Rename the folder to ChmodBPF
11. Open your Library folder (NOT the one in your home directory)
12. Look for a folder called StartupItems
13. If the folder is not there, create it
14. Open Terminal & type (without quotations) “cd Desktop.”
15. Type “sudo mv ChmodBPF /Library/StartupItems/
16. Type in your account password
17. After setup is complete, restart your computer
18. Wireshark is ready to go!

Conclusion

If you need to have the ultimate online security, you’ll opt for a Wireshark VPN. With a Wireshark VPN, you can browse the web in total anonymity while checking that your Wireshark VPN traffic is being encrypted. Don’t waste another second keeping your privacy and security at risk – install one of a Wireshark VPN today!