What is Packet Sniffing?
Packet Sniffing is the process of capturing and analyzing network traffic as it traverses a network (Commonly with a tool called WireShark). While it can be used legitimately for troubleshooting and monitoring, it is also a technique leveraged by attackers to intercept sensitive data such as credentials, session tokens, and communications.
Attackers typically use packet sniffing in environments lacking proper encryption, exploiting weaknesses in protocols or misconfigured Transport Layer Security (TLS). This technique is often combined with Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks and spoofing to increase effectiveness.
What is Packet Sniffing used for?
Malicious packet sniffing is used to harvest credentials, monitor user activity, and gain insights into network architecture. It can enable follow-on attacks such as Brute Force Attack, Session Hijacking, or Business Email Compromise (BEC).
To mitigate this risk, organizations must enforce strong encryption standards using TLS, implement Network Access Control (NAC), and monitor traffic using tools like Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) and SIEM. Zero Trust architectures further reduce exposure by limiting implicit trust within networks.
Watch how Packet Sniffing work
