Each program that works with the network sends requests to one or another server. It is often necessary to know exactly where an application is sending its packages to determine if this poses a potential threat to the operating system. Tracking network requests is a way to find malicious software on your computer.
Instructions
Step 1
To view requests from applications to the network, special sniffer programs are used that intercept and analyze outgoing traffic. Such analyzers allow you to detect unnecessary traffic, which increases the load on the network card and the communication channel, which affects the data transfer rate.
Step 2
There are a large number of sniffers that are effective in different ways. Of all the programs, it is worth noting Wireshark, which allows you to view the passing traffic in real time, which helps to assess the network activity of an application. Fiddler has similar functionality, but it also has the ability to track traffic from mobile devices based on Windows Phone, iPhone and many others.
Step 3
After reviewing the descriptions of the programs on the Internet, choose the application that is most convenient for you. Download the installation file of the program from the official website of the developers. It is not worth downloading sniffers from third-party resources, since they can be disguised as malicious applications.
Step 4
Double click on the downloaded file and proceed with the installation following the instructions on the screen. Run the program using a shortcut on the desktop or through the Start menu.
Step 5
The main window shows the currently outgoing requests, as well as the IP and the type of request being sent. The program window is quickly updated, and therefore if you want to monitor a specific address, then set the filter parameters through the appropriate Filters menu item.
