Packet analysis is a digital monitoring technique that lets users see all network activity between devices connected to a network, as well as the communication coming in or going out from different devices. This is, of course, limited to digital networks transmitting and receiving data.
Packet analyzers cannot detect, for instance, a call to the Cox customer service number to request technical support. But it can detect the exact same request sent over email or through the provider’s app. Wireshark is a deep packet analysis tool that is free, open-source, and extremely popular among tech enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, you cannot find the tool on your Android’s Google Play Store. But you can still find various alternatives that do exactly the same thing. After all, it’s Android! There is literally an app for everything. Here are some of the best Android alternatives to Wireshark:
3 Great Android Tools That Can Replace Wireshark
Packet analyzer tools, or as techies say “network sniffers”, are usually not the kind of application the average internet user needs. They have very specific purposes, and usually require some technical knowledge for you to use them properly. For instance, most such apps will need rooting for them to work properly.
Packet sniffers usually have 2 modes: a monitor mode and a “promiscuous” mode. When in promiscuous mode, the tool will analyze each and every packet transmitted or received over a network. Unless a device is using encryption standards for its packet transmissions, the application can capture and read all traffic it transmits or receives.
Unlike PCs or macOS devices, an Android device can use its onboard wifi adapter for promiscuous mode. But obviously, this entails certain concerns about privacy and abuse of technology. Therefore, most Android smartphone manufacturers disable this feature.
For most of the alternatives below to work, you will need to allow root access. Additionally, these apps will likely not be among the offerings on Google Play Store. But if you need an alternative to Wireshark that works on Android, try these:
cSploit
For advanced internet and network experts, cSploit is one of the best Wireshark alternatives that you can use on Android. The app requires root access to grant you the full range of penetration testing. cSploit has a wide range of penetration and capturing capabilities.
It can detect everything from local network maps, detect host fingerprints on the system, and it can even add its own hosts. Cybercriminals can and do use it to execute a certain type of attack called “man in the middle” where they intercept outgoing and incoming traffic. But that’s them abusing a very useful tool.
The application, once rooted, can let you add your own hosts, execute traceroute functions, and even create its own TCP and DUP packets. When it comes to network analysis and monitoring, the app can let you analyze and manipulate traffic in real-time, redirect traffic, and even hijack sessions.
Debug Proxy
This tool is a dedicated network sniffing tool. It can detect and capture all packet traffic on a network. Moreover, it can monitor traffic for both HTTP and HTTPS sites. The app can use the “man in the middle” technique to break past SSL encryption standards as well.
That means it can monitor and track live traffic as well. Debug Proxy is fairly easier to use compared to the other apps on this list. IT has an intuitive UI that makes it more convenient, along with responsiveness and speed that come from the fact that it captures the packets in their native code.
It also has several ancillary tools that help with things like bandwidth throttling, latency testing, network security testing, and debugging.
Packet Capture
Where the 2 tools above are full-range penetration and testing applications, they are also fairly technical to use. Only individuals that understand complex network terms and coding can make the best use of them. Packet Capture, on the other hand, is a network monitoring tool for the average internet user.
Packet Capture is an app built solely to do what its name indicates: capture packets and record them.
The app’s built-in MIIM feature lets you bypass SSL encryption layers and decrypt packet traffic with ease. The application also uses a local VPN to function, which means you don’t have to root your Android device. Rooting is fairly technical. Therefore, inexperienced users can easily end up killing or “bricking” their Android devices if they don’t do it right.
With Packet Capture, there is no such risk. It is a straightforward tool that performs simple packet captures and packet recordings. But it does them well, and without users needing extensive knowledge on configuring network sniffing tools or rooting Android devices.
Conclusion
Packet sniffing apps often earn a bad reputation. Based on features like MIIM and other network penetration tools, these apps are fairly common among cybercriminals across a range of devices and networks. However, it is important to remember the cybercrime aspect is an abuse of technology, in much the same way as a gun used in an armed robbery.
The tools (like guns) can also be used for protection, not just crime. Network monitoring can help businesses detect and block encrypted illegal activity, help analyze networks for MIIM vulnerabilities, and even zero in on ongoing data theft.
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