Compare TryHackMe vs. Wireshark vs. Zeek

Engaging with cyber security on TryHackMe is both enjoyable and highly compelling. You accumulate points by correctly answering questions, tackling various challenges, and sustaining your hacking streak through concise lessons. The platform offers structured pathways that enhance your expertise in a practical setting by allowing you to complete guided tasks and objectives. Moving beyond mere textbooks, TryHackMe emphasizes interactive lessons that encourage you to apply theoretical knowledge directly. Users can expect an immersive experience featuring network simulations, intentionally vulnerable technologies modeled after real-world scenarios, and much more. If you’re new to the field of security, there’s no need to worry! We provide learning paths designed to equip you with essential cyber security skills, laying the groundwork for a successful career in this domain. With access to all the necessary tools for your education, you can utilize a browser-based machine equipped with security tools, enabling you to learn from anywhere and at any time, as long as you have an internet connection. This flexibility makes it easier than ever to embark on your journey into the world of cyber security.

Wireshark stands as the leading and most widely utilized network protocol analyzer in the world. This tool allows users to observe the intricate details of their network activity and has become the standard reference point for various sectors, including commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations, government bodies, and academic institutions. The continued advancement of Wireshark is fueled by the voluntary efforts of networking specialists from around the world, originating from a project initiated by Gerald Combs in 1998. As a network protocol analyzer, Wireshark enables users to capture and explore the traffic traversing a computer network interactively. Known for its extensive and powerful capabilities, it is the most favored tool of its type globally. It operates seamlessly across a range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and UNIX. Regularly employed by network professionals, security analysts, developers, and educators worldwide, it is accessible without cost as an open-source application and is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2. Additionally, its community-driven development model ensures that it remains up-to-date with the latest networking technologies and trends.

Zeek, initially known as Bro, stands as the premier platform for monitoring network security. It is an adaptable, open-source solution driven by those dedicated to defense in the cybersecurity realm. With its origins tracing back to the 1990s, the project was initiated by Vern Paxson to gain insights into activities on university and national laboratory networks. In late 2018, to acknowledge its growth and ongoing advancements, the leadership team transitioned the name from Bro to Zeek. Unlike conventional security tools such as firewalls or intrusion prevention systems, Zeek operates passively by residing on a sensor, which can be a hardware, software, virtual, or cloud-based platform, that discreetly monitors network traffic. By analyzing the data it collects, Zeek generates concise, high-quality transaction logs, file contents, and customizable outputs that are well-suited for manual examination on storage devices or through more user-friendly applications like security information and event management (SIEM) systems. This unique approach allows for a deeper understanding of network activities without interfering with the traffic itself.