# Eavesdropping

Secretly intercepting communications, such as network traffic or conversations, without the parties' knowledge or consent.

**Eavesdropping[↗](/eavesdropping)**, in a cybersecurity[↗](/cybersecurity) context, refers to secretly intercepting digital communications, network traffic, phone calls, or messages, without the knowledge or consent of the people involved. On an unencrypted Wi-Fi network, for example, an eavesdropper on the same network can potentially capture data traveling between other devices and the internet.

Encryption[↗](/encryption) is the primary defense against eavesdropping: even if an attacker intercepts the data in transit, strong encryption renders it unreadable without the correct key. This is why using a VPN on public Wi-Fi and confirming a website uses HTTPS both matter for protecting sensitive information from prying eyes.