Here is a guide on how to monitor network traffic at home.
How to Monitor Network Traffic at Home
Your home network, as well as everything connected to it, is like a safe deposit box. There’s a lot of useful information hidden behind your login, from unencrypted files containing personal data to gadgets that may be hijacked and useful for any purpose.
Here are ways on how you can monitor your network traffic.
1. Make a network map
A network map is a diagram that shows the components of a network and how they are connected. It can help you identify where a problem is occurring.
In doing so, it will be easier to determine if the issue is being by a faulty router, a problem with a network card, a virus or malware infection, or even a computer that are in compromise.
2. Monitor your internet traffic with Wireshark
Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer; which means it is a tool useful to see what’s going on inside your network at the transport layer. This may not sound as exciting as monitoring the network traffic of your neighbor; or monitoring someone’s Facebook messages, but it can still be useful. For example, you can see which websites are being visited, which apps are being used and the amount of bandwidth consumed by them. You can also see if someone is using your network to do something illegal or illicit.
Wireshark can be used for legitimate purposes; but it is also popular among hackers because they can use it to exploit vulnerabilities in your network.
3. Monitor the computer via its network
You can use Wireshark to check out what’s going on inside your computer via its network card; although you have to be careful about the information you are viewing. For example, if you are using someone else’s computer; you may see personal data that they don’t want you to see.
4. Monitor a computer via its network card
If you want to monitor a computer via its network card, you have to be careful about the information you are viewing. For example, if you are using someone else’s computer; you may see personal data that they don’t want you to see.
5. See what’s going on in your home network with network monitoring software
A network monitoring software can help you see what’s going on in your home network. There are several free and commercial options available for this purpose. For example, NetSpot is a free tool for Windows and Mac users and it helps monitor and troubleshoot networks. It combines networking and general-purpose features, including the possibility of monitoring network traffic.
NetSpot is not just for monitoring network traffic. It can also be used to find the best places for Wi-Fi access points, troubleshoot network problems and determine the bandwidth being used by connected devices.
Also, NetSpot is not just for monitoring network traffic. It can also be used to find the best places for Wi-Fi access points, troubleshoot network problems and determine the bandwidth being used by connected devices.