Premise
In this walkthrough, we reviewed one of the newly created Coursera guided projects courses that go by Wireshark for network security analysis. The course is a hands-on introduction to Wireshark and is intended for those who want to get started with packet analysis with Wireshark.
Course Name: Wireshark for Basic Network Security Analysis
Skills Learned
- Learn how to troubleshoot with Wireshark, capture Traffic and analyze already captured Traffic. Know how to use Display and Capture Filters.
- Generate, Capture then analyze SSH and HTTPS encrypted Traffic. Decrypt HTTPS Traffic in Wireshark.
- Generate, Capture and analyze RADIUS, DNS, HTTP and Telnet unencrypted Traffic. Decrypt also the RADIUS encypted password.
Course Overview
This is a lab-based course, not a theoretical one, which is why I think it’s so great. You’ll get hands-on experience, which is the best way to learn.
The course certificate is from the Coursera Project Network, so it’s not from a big-name university or a company like Cisco. The real value isn’t in the certificate itself, but in the practical skills you’ll gain. These skills are essential for a career in network security or cybersecurity.
The course is structured around readings, ungraded lab exercises, and a final quiz. You’ll need to pass the quiz to complete the course. The lab environment is split into two sections: one side shows a desktop, and the other side has videos where an instructor guides you through the exercises.
Cost and Value
I think the course costs around $15, but I can’t remember the exact price. Since it’s a lab-based course, you can’t audit it for free, and financial aid isn’t available. But even at $50, I think it’s a great deal.
You can find a lot of information about Wireshark online for free, but this course puts everything you need to know in one place. It’s a great way to build a solid foundation, and then you can continue learning on your own with free resources.
