Install Wireshark for Monitoring Packets in AWS EC2 Instance

1.     Login into your ec2 instance with SSH.

2.     Install Wireshark

sudo apt update
sudo apt install wireshark

–       Accept Yes -> Should non superusers be able to capture packets?
–       Wireshark will be installed.

3.     Add your current user to wireshark group

sudo usermod -aG wireshark $USER

4.     Install VNC Server

To simplify the display of data using wireshark, you use VNC Server on your instance.

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon metacity nautilus gnome-terminal xfce4 vnc4server

It takes some time…

5.     Run VNC Server

vncserver

It will ask you to create a VNC password. Choose your password and enter it at the prompt, then enter it a second time to verify.

Only use a max length of 8 characters in your password.

6.     Edit edit ~/.vnc/xstartup and replace all the contents with the lines below. (user vim or nano)

#!/bin/sh#

Uncomment the following two lines for normal desktop:
unset SESSION_MANAGER
# exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
startxfce4 &


[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
vncconfig -iconic &
gnome-panel &
gnome-settings-daemon &
metacity &
nautilus &
gnome-terminal &

7.      Reboot your instance to apply the configurations.

8.     Enable ports 5901 & 5902 in the Security Group inbound rules

9.     Login to your ec2 instance using this command (port forwarding)

ssh -L 5902:localhost:5902 -i amazon.pem ubuntu@instance_dns_or_public_ip

10.  Start a new vncserver

vncserver -geometry 1340x750

NOTE: Here I 1340×750 refer to my desktop dimensions. You can adjust these values based on your own screen size.

11.  Download vnc viewer

https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/

12.  Use vnc viewer to connect to localhost:5902

13.  Once you are in your desktop, open terminal and install once wireshark gtk

sudo apt-get install wireshark-gtk

14.  Open Wireshark

wireshark-gtk

You should see the Wireshark interface pop-up:

15.  Select eth0 interface and click on Start

16.  On filter input, write this command to filter a specific port: tcp.port == 80 or any port you want, and click on Apply.