Download Wireshark 4.4.6: Network Protocol Analyzer

Introduction to Wireshark: The Premier Network Packet Analyzer

Wireshark stands out as a leading network packet analyzer, designed to capture and present detailed information about network packets. This tool operates similarly to how a voltmeter allows electricians to inspect electrical signals within a wire, providing insight into the vibrant world of data traveling through networks. Historically, access to such powerful analytical tools was restricted due to high costs and proprietary technologies. However, the launch of Wireshark has revolutionized this landscape, offering one of the most robust open-source packet analysis solutions available today.

Key Features of Wireshark

Wireshark provides a wide array of features that cater to both novice and advanced users. Here are some of the highlights:

In-depth inspection of numerous protocols, with continuous updates.
Options for live data capture as well as offline analysis.
Standardized three-pane packet browser interface for ease of use.
Supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, OS X, Solaris, FreeBSD, and NetBSD.
Data can be browsed through a graphical interface or via TTY-mode TShark utility.
Advanced display filters facilitating precise data manipulation.
Comprehensive VoIP analysis capabilities.
Read/write support for a variety of capture file formats.
On-the-fly decompression of gzip-compressed capture files.
Supports live data reading from various mediums like Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, and others.
Decryption support for numerous protocols, including IPsec, SSL/TLS, and WPA/WPA2.
Customizable coloring rules for packets for intuitive analysis.
Export capabilities to various formats including XML, CSV, and plain text.

What’s New in Wireshark 4.4.6

Recent updates in Wireshark 4.4.6 have brought critical bug fixes and enhancements, ensuring a smoother user experience. Here are some notable corrections:

Resolved an EtherCAT dissector bug related to ECS order (Issue 13718).
Fixed conversations dialog width issues during live capture (Issue 15978).
Addressed test failures in LTO-enabled builds on Ubuntu/Debian (Issue 18216).
Rectified incorrect conditions noted in the BFCP dissector (Issue 18717).
Fixed static build failure due to the missing c-ares library on Ubuntu 24.04 (Issue 20343).
Corrected the detection of malformed packets created by Flutter’s Image Picker (Issue 20355).
Resolved a crashing issue with QUIC dissector when source and destination change (Issue 20371).
Fixed issues causing build failures on Ubuntu PPA nightly builds for s390x (Issue 20372).
Addressed a problem where trailing octets after IPv4 packets were not displayed (Issue 20423).
Ensured that APRS dissector is only invoked on UI Frames (Issue 20429).
Fixed an issue where Wireshark would hang while refreshing interfaces with the debug console set to “always”during an open file (Windows Issue 20434).
Corrected decoding issues with BGP EVPN Type-8 routes (Issue 20459).
Improved decoding for LIN “go to sleep”messages in TECMP and CMP (Issue 20463).
Rectified MQTT-SN WILLTOPIC message decoding to include all flags (Issue 20476).

Enhancements in Protocol Support

Wireshark continues to expand its compatibility with various protocols. Recent updates have included support for:

ADB, ASAM CMP, AX.25, BACapp, BFCP, BGP, CP2179, DCERPC WKSSVC, DCT2000, DECT-NWK, DHCP, DOF, EAPOL-MKA, ECAT, ErlDP, Ethertype, F1AP, GSM BSSMAP, GSM DTAP, HomePlug AV, ICMP, IEEE 802.11, ITS, LDP, MQTT-SN, NAS-EPS, NR RRC, OER, PCEP, PNIO, PPP, QUAKE, QUIC, Raw, Signal PDU, TCP, TECMP, TLS, and USB DFU.