Traffic analysis refers to the process of capturing and analyzing network traffic for the purpose of performance measurement, intrusion detection, security auditing, and troubleshooting network issues. Traffic analysis can provide insights into what is happening on your network, helping you understand network usage, potential security threats, and areas for performance optimization.
There are several elements involved in traffic analysis, including:
- Volume Analysis: This involves understanding the amount of traffic on a network, measured typically in bits per second (bps). It can help identify potential bottlenecks in your network infrastructure that could be slowing down data transmission.
- Packet Analysis: By examining individual data packets, traffic analysis can provide insights into what kind of data is being sent over a network (e.g., web traffic, email traffic, VoIP traffic), as well as detect any anomalies or potential security threats such as malware.
- Flow Analysis: This involves understanding the ‘conversations’ that are happening on a network, such as who is talking to who, when and how often. This can help identify unauthorized or suspicious activity on a network.
- Error Analysis: By monitoring network traffic, errors or anomalies can be identified that may indicate a problem with network hardware or configurations.
- Latency Analysis: This involves measuring the delay in data transmission over a network. High latency can adversely affect user experience, particularly for applications like VoIP or video streaming that require real-time data transmission.
Traffic analysis tools (also called network analyzers or sniffers) such as Wireshark, tcpdump, or NetFlow analyzers can be used to capture and analyze network traffic. These tools provide an interface for viewing the captured data and performing various types of analysis.
In a cybersecurity context, traffic analysis can help detect threats and intrusions, even when the data is encrypted. By analyzing traffic patterns, volumes, and timings, unusual or suspicious activity can be identified that may indicate a potential threat.
Please note that in some cases, traffic analysis may have privacy implications and should be conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.