Question

Both Wireshark and NetWitness Investigator can be used for packet captures and analysis. Which tool is preferred for each task, and why

Answer 1

Wireshark is typically preferred for packet capture and detailed analysis, thanks to its granular control and extensive filtering options. NetWitness Investigator is favored for analyzing large volumes of data and advanced threats, with its powerful visualization tools and session reconstruction capabilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both Wireshark and NetWitness Investigator are used for packet capture and analysis, and the choice between them can depend on the specific needs of the user and the complexity of the task at hand.

Wireshark is widely regarded as the go-to tool for packet capture due to its comprehensive nature and fine-grained analysis capabilities. It provides a detailed view of the packets being transmitted over a network and offers extensive filtering options. This level of detail can be invaluable for debugging purposes or forensic analysis.

NetWitness Investigator, on the other hand, shines in analysis, particularly when dealing with large volumes of data or advanced threats. It has strong visualization tools and is capable of reconstructing sessions or files from packet data, which can be extremely helpful in understanding complex attack patterns and breach attempts.

Answer 2

• packet capture best suited for Wireshark
• packet analysis best suited for Netwiness

Step-by-step explanation:

Although both software packages can carry out each task, however, expert network administrators have noted that in terms of effectiveness, the Wireshark software application is best suited for packet capture since unlike Netwitness has no limitation on the size of files it can capture.

Whereas, because Netwitness has a capacity of up to seven-layer protocol analysis, it can perform a more detailed analysis of packets.