Packet Sniffing

Packet sniffing↗ is the practice of intercepting and analyzing data packets as they travel across a network, using specialized software called a packet sniffer or protocol analyzer. Network administrators use it legitimately for troubleshooting, but attackers can use the same technique to eavesdrop on unencrypted traffic.

On an unsecured network, packet sniffing can expose sensitive information like login credentials, emails, and browsing activity in plain text. Using encrypted connections, such as HTTPS and a VPN, ensures that even if traffic is intercepted, its contents remain unreadable to an attacker.