Network sniffing, also known as packet sniffing or protocol
analysis, is the process of capturing and analyzing network traffic to extract
information, identify vulnerabilities, or carry out attacks. Network sniffers
or packet analyzers can be software or hardware tools that capture and decode
network traffic.
Here is an example of network
sniffing:
Suppose an attacker wants to
capture sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card
numbers being transmitted over an unsecured wireless network. They can use a
network sniffer or packet analyzer to capture all the network traffic passing
through the wireless access point.
Once the sniffer is set up,
the attacker can launch a man-in-the-middle attack, intercepting and analyzing
the traffic to extract sensitive information. For example, if a user logs into
their online banking account, the sniffer can capture the login credentials as
they are transmitted over the network.
To prevent network sniffing attacks, it is important to use secure communication protocols such as HTTPS or SSL/TLS, which encrypt network traffic and prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, strong authentication and access controls can help to prevent unauthorized access to networks and systems. It is also important to use security tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and network access controls to monitor and block suspicious activity.
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