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The adapter collects the data and either stores it or sends it along to a collector for further inspection. Sniffer hardware consists of a special adapter that hooks into the existing network. Network managers or system administrators may use hardware, such as routers with sniffing capabilities built right in.
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Sniffing can be accomplished using either software or hardware. This would be like a tollbooth that chooses to stop only BMWs, or only blue cars, depending on what type of traffic interests the owner of the tollbooth/sniffer.īut let’s dive into even more technical details of how a network sniffer works. Filtered sniffers can be configured to inspect only certain types of traffic. Unfiltered sniffers inspect every car - they harvest all traffic traveling through a network. Sniffers, then, are like a tollbooth - they are sent up to inspect all cars driving down the road, not just those that park in one driveway. Similarly, your computer ignores most traffic flowing through a network, and only inspects the specific packets of data that are sent to it. When you’re sitting at home, you ignore most cars driving by, but if a truck parks in your driveway, you might go check out who’s inside.
Just as cars (which carry people) make up traditional traffic traveling on a road, internet traffic consists of packets (which carry data) traveling through a network. Recording communications such as emails and instant messagesįirst, some background on the internet “traffic” we keep mentioning. Illegitimate uses of sniffers, essentially spying, include:Ĭapturing private info like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, etc. In summary, here are just some of the many ways network sniffers are used:įor the purpose of network maintenance, legitimate uses of sniffers are: Hackers: Generally, hackers exploit sniffer software to spy on people and steal their personal data, usually with the eventual goal of identity theft or other fraud. Abnormal spikes or different types of traffic can indicate malware or hackers in the system.Ĭorporations: Employers can use sniffing software to monitor their employees and find out just how much Netflix they’re watching vs. They can also test how specific systems are working, such as firewalls, as well as troubleshoot problems.Ĭybersecurity professionals: Cybersec workers can learn a lot from monitoring their networks. System administrators: Similarly, admins need to observe traffic to collect data on metrics like available bandwidth. Network engineers: In order to optimize their network, engineers must keep an eye on their traffic. Unfortunately, hackers are a very crafty bunch, and many currently make use of the sniffing software that is available online (sometimes even for free!).
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Sniffers were originally designed to be used only by professional network engineers to monitor traffic and ensure appropriate use. What is network sniffing software used for? Basically, snoops use sniffers to capture, decode, and interpret packets of data being sent over a network using TCP/IP or other protocols. Sniffing can be accomplished through either software or hardware, depending on the setup. Sniffers go by many names, including the aforementioned packet sniffer and packet analyzer, as well as network probes, wireless sniffers, and Ethernet sniffers. Lots of sniffers exist as discrete hardware tools. Sniffers don’t work that way, and sometimes, they’re not even software. Viruses are a type of malware that hijacks other software on your device and modifies it so as to replicate and spread the virus. First, we’ll cover exactly how sniffing works, including the different applications of sniffers.Īnd before we go on - sniffers and viruses aren’t the same thing. Obviously, you don’t want that kind of sniffing around, and later on we’ll get to some tips to help you prevent it.
That includes usernames, passwords, credit card details, and other private information.
Hackers can “sniff” your traffic, allowing them to record and analyze everything you’re doing. Most legitimate sniffers are used to maintain the smooth flow of traffic through a network.īut if you’re here wondering “what is a sniffer virus,” you’re probably more focused on the malicious variety of sniffing: spying. With a lowercase s, “sniffer” refers to all other types of packet sniffers, both benign and malignant. “Sniffer” with a capital S refers to the trademarked tool by NetScout, which allows network administrators to monitor bandwidth and make sure no one user is taking up too much of the available capacity. But there are different types of sniffers.
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Sniffers keep an eye on your internet traffic - including websites you visit and anything you download or upload - in real time, making them potentially quite invasive.