What Is Packet Sniffing?

 By Charles Joseph | Cybersecurity Advocate

 Last update: November 25, 2023

Packet sniffing is a method of monitoring data traveling across a network. A packet sniffer can be used to detect bottlenecks, monitor data usage, and collect statistics on network traffic.

Key Points

• Packet sniffing is a process of monitoring and capturing data packets as they travel across a network.
• Packet sniffers can be used for legitimate purposes, such as network troubleshooting, or for malicious purposes, such as stealing sensitive information.
• Packet sniffing can be detected and prevented by using encryption and other security measures.
• Packet sniffing is a serious security threat that should be considered when designing and implementing a network.