How to Resolve Unusual Traffic from Your Computer Network
Introduction
Unusual traffic from your computer network can be a sign of various issues, such as a malware infection, a misconfigured device, a hardware issue, or even a sign that your network is being used for malicious activities. Resolving this issue is crucial to maintaining the security and performance of your network. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Identify the Source
The first step in resolving unusual traffic is to identify the source. This could be a specific device on your network or a particular application that’s consuming an excessive amount of bandwidth. Tools like Wireshark or GlassWire can help you monitor network traffic and identify the source.
Step 2: Check for Malware
If a specific device is generating unusual traffic, it could be infected with malware. Run a thorough malware scan on the device using a reliable antivirus program. If any malware is found, follow the recommended steps to remove it.
Step 3: Update Your Devices and Applications
Outdated devices and applications can have vulnerabilities that can be exploited to generate unusual traffic. Ensure that all devices and applications on your network are up-to-date.
Step 4: Configure Your Network Settings
Misconfigured network settings can also lead to unusual traffic. Check your router and firewall settings to ensure they are configured correctly. If unsure, consider resetting them to their default settings and reconfiguring them.
Step 5: Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried the above steps and are still experiencing unusual traffic, it may be time to seek professional help. A network security professional can help identify and resolve complex network issues.
Useful Tools to Analyze Unusual Traffic from Your Computer Network
There are several tools available that can help you analyze and monitor your network traffic. Here are a few that you might find useful:
- Wireshark: This is a widely used network protocol analyzer that lets you see what’s happening on your network at a microscopic level. It is used for network troubleshooting, analysis, software, and communications protocol development.
- GlassWire: GlassWire is a network monitoring tool that visualizes your current and past network activity, detects malware and badly behaving apps, and helps you protect your computer and privacy by revealing network activity in an easy-to-understand graph.
- Nmap (Network Mapper): Nmap is a free and open-source utility for network discovery and security auditing. It can help you analyze the devices on your network and the ports and services that they are running.
- NetFlow Analyzer: This is a bandwidth monitoring tool that uses flow technology to provide real-time visibility into the network bandwidth performance. NetFlow Analyzer can detect, diagnose, and resolve network anomalies and security threats.
- Nagios: Nagios is a powerful IT management system that enables organizations to identify and resolve IT infrastructure problems before they affect critical business processes.
- SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer: This is a leading network traffic analyzer. It works with NetFlow, J-Flow, sFlow, NetStream, and IPFIX for packet capture
- ManageEngine OpManager Plus: This is an expansion of the standard OpManager network performance monitor that includes traffic analysis
- Noction Flow Analyzer: This is a package of network monitoring tools that include a capacity planning analyzer that recalls stored traffic data. It runs on Linux
- Elastic Stack: A suite of data capture and analysis tools featuring Elasticsearch and Kibana
- Plixer Scrutinizer: A traffic analyzer used for network security that samples traffic from multiple network locations simultaneously
Remember, while these tools can provide valuable insights into your network traffic, they require a certain level of technical expertise to use effectively. If you’re unsure about how to use these tools, it may be best to seek help from a professional.
Conclusion
Unusual traffic from your computer network should not be ignored as it could indicate a severe issue. By identifying the traffic source, checking for malware, updating your devices and applications, configuring your network settings, and seeking professional help if needed, you can resolve this issue and ensure the security and performance of your network.
