Wireshark for Mac

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Key Details of Wireshark

Perform network protocol deep inspection and live capture
Last updated on 08/14/20
There have been 3 updates within the past 6 months

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Developer’s Description

Perform network protocol deep inspection and live capture.

Wireshark is the world's foremost network protocol analyzer, and is the de facto (and often de jure) standard across many industries and educational institutions. Wireshark development thrives thanks to the contributions of networking experts across the globe. It is the continuation of a project that started in 1998. Read/write many different capture file form0ats: tcpdump (libpcap), Pcap NG, Catapult DCT2000, Cisco Secure IDS iplog, Microsoft Network Monitor, Network General Sniffer (compressed and uncompressed), Sniffer Pro, and NetXray, Network Instruments Observer, NetScreen snoop, Novell LANalyzer, RADCOM WAN/LAN Analyzer, Shomiti/Finisar Surveyor, Tektronix K12xx, Visual Networks Visual UpTime, WildPackets EtherPeek/TokenPeek/AiroPeek, and many others. Output can be exported to XML, PostScript, CSV, or plain text

Wireshark for Mac

Used Wireshark for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: August 14, 2020

Latest update: February 29, 2024

Version: 3.2.6

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

Additional Requirements

macOS Catalina
macOS Mojave
macOS High Sierra
macOS Sierra
OS X El Capitan
OS X Yosemite

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 39,583

Downloads Last Week: 3

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.6/5

11 User Votes

macs join the big league with this tool
neuralstaticNovember 22, 2011
Pros
world standard application
Cons
complicated to a novice
Summary
ignore the people saying it won't work... it's not the average drag and drop and click app, but if it's needed it's fantastic.
Ver 1.6.0 It works in Snow Leopard 10.6.8 ;-)
Jase989July 9, 2011
Pros
Has all the same great features as the Windows & Linux versions. Can deep inspect network packets Has been ported to OS X using X11 platform. I us this all the time with my CISCO training.
Cons
This tool is not for casual users. You should at the lease have some technical knowledge on networking to understand what your looking at
Summary
Top Tip select the right interface before you start capturing packet. The interfaces have have unix names: en0 = Airport, en1 = ethernet port. if in doubt open a terminal window and run command: ifconfig -a I hope this gets updated when the new Lion OS is launched soon. because it's the best free packet sniffer in the business.
V1.4.4 fails to launch with error?
James GarvinMarch 3, 2011
Pros
Great utility when it's working!
Cons
Updates don't work for every Mac; PPC and Intel Core Duo for instance.
Summary
I found this error in the OS X 10.6.6 system logs: "/Applications/Wireshark/Wireshark.app/Contents/Resources/bin/wireshark-bin: Bad CPU type in executable" That tells me my Intel Core Duo is not supported by this version, only Core2 Duo's and above should download (as far as I know) versions above 1.2.10- the last one that runs on my computer. The v1.2.10 application seems to function OK with the current /bin utilities, but we'll see. Archive your functional install before trying this out!
Not up to the level of "Mac-Ness" that one expects...
Thelgord_IronfeldMarch 1, 2011
Pros
There was nothing good about my experience with this software
Cons
Runs in X11 (Gross) Complicated Setup (You have to show all files to find some of the directories to put files) Didn't work (Unable to find any Wifi adapters on my Mac Book pro)
Summary
This is a port of a linux program (hence why it runs in X11). It is a good idea, but it did not work on my Mac Book Pro 6,2 running 10.6.6. It was unable to find a suitable wireless adapter. The interface in clunky at best and looks awful. To be honest most X11 programs do. The author should put a more Mac Friendly UI to it before releasing a newer version, and one that works with newer macs.
Best cross-platform network protocol analyzer
roger.mJanuary 12, 2011
Pros
Well liked and widely used. Cross platform.
Cons
No native GUI for OSX. Requires X11.
Summary
Currently non-functiional on my computer.
James GarvinDecember 6, 2010
Pros
It provides additional intelligence and interpretation of packet contents, messages and flags useful for anyone new to packet analysis.
Cons
This version only- crashes on launch. Can be hard to set up properly, as you need special system permissions to even use such software. System security can be compromised if not set up properly.
Summary
I like it well enough that I reverted to a previous version to regain use of Wireshark.
DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ON MAC OS X
lsdpintoJuly 6, 2010
Pros
Heard good stories, but it doesn't work on mac
Cons
It doesn't work on a Mac OS X system, although they say it should
Summary
Best free capture/analyzer app
djdawsonJune 20, 2010
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I've been using Wireshark since it was Ethereal, and it's always been the most capable packet capture and analysis tool around. It runs virtually everywhere and has an amazing number of features. And it's free.
Doesn't work on 10.5.x !
herald62usSeptember 24, 2009
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />After messing about for hours with errors and install problems, the program finally launches without crashing. Unfortunately it still has many startup(?) errors, and does not show any interfaces for scanning. Pretty crap. I might as well stick with good ol tcpdump.
Does not install
tramboneplayer5June 30, 2008
Pros
Cons
Same as above - ran the installer, program does not exist.
Summary