How To Do A URL Search Using Network Traffic Analysis

how to do url search using network traffic analysis nta

Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) is the surest way of arresting security threats and extinguishing them before they destroy your network. It powers the use of URL searches in conducting the investigation. Read on to understand how network traffic analysis works. 

What Is Network Traffic Analysis? 

Network Traffic Analysis is a process that helps in the detection of issues that affect network availability. NTA monitoring checks security, operational issues, among others. It may uncover causes of the slow network by checking functional anomalies and remove blind spots, thus enhancing internal visibilities. 

You can use a network traffic analysis tool to boost performance and enhance security. This practice ensures that you manage your resources in such a way that you minimize attacks. Network traffic analysis gives you the updates and insight that help you to enhance performance. 

Benefits Of Network Traffic Analysis 

Security professionals conduct network traffic analysis to gain more visibility into their network data. As such, they can notice attacks and intercept them before they proceed further. Other benefits of NTA include the fact that it helps meet compliance requirements and leads you into more details that help in hastening investigations. 

The ability to troubleshoot operational issues also comes from the enhanced visibility into the connecting devices. Generally, it enhances cybersecurity and keeps intruders into your network at bay. 

How To Do A URL Search Using Network Traffic Analysis 

A URL search involves looking for the website name (either in the whole or partial name) to identify those accessing it. You need first to build a database of URL search strings before you can commence the investigation. Also, it is essential to locate the sources of your data. Establish whether the source is local packet capture, network-wide packet capture, or log file analysis. 

Any useful source that you use enables you to capture the network traffic locally on your computer. Using an appropriate tool allows you to all the traffic that is joining and leaving your network adapters. Inside the device, you can access a display filter that will enable you to find a particular string of searches. 

A good source should work effectively whether a web proxy is present or absent. It should also be fast and with minimal network downtime. Such a source should also be easy to use and interpret. 

Avoid sources that are: 

• Complex and difficult to interpret 
• Short on storage space 
• Not free 
• Negatively affecting proxy performance 

For better results, always look up available scaling-up options for your network data sources. A scaled-up source gives you access to all traffic flow, while a lower source limits your access. 

Options For Addressing URL Search Requirements 

The available options include SPAN / mirror ports and TAPs. A TAP involves the use of three ports to monitor traffic through two points in the network. You place the TAP between the two points under investigation. 

Switch Port Analyzer (SPAN) tools provide access to packets for monitoring. They send packets from one port to another for analysis. The other name for SPAN is port mirroring. 

Do not allow simple mistakes to happen and let unwanted traffic through your network since it can cause damaging issues. Ensure you have a good network traffic analysis tool to get deep visibility.

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