Sniffing Attacks: What Are They and How Can They Be Prevented?
Network sniffing is the process of utilising a programme or hardware component to record every data packet moving via a network. Snooping allows ethical hackers to learn a great deal about a network’s operation and the behaviour of its users, information that may be utilised to strengthen a company’s cybersecurity.
Sniffing can, however, be utilised by unscrupulous hackers to conduct catastrophic attacks against gullible targets. In this post, we’ll examine what sniffing is, how it might cause harm, and how to stop sniffing-related attacks.
Sniffing: What Is It?
Sniffing is the act of intercepting and watching network traffic in its most basic form. Software that records all data packets going through a certain network interface can be used to accomplish this, or hardware devices specifically created to achieve this.
How Do Sniffing Attacks Work?
When a hacker employs a packet sniffer to intercept and read confidential data travelling via a network, this is known as a sniffing attack (Biasco, 2021). Unencrypted email communications, login credentials, and financial data are typical targets for these assaults.
Attackers may occasionally insert malicious code into apparently innocent data packets using sniffing attack tools and packet sniffers in an effort to take control of a target’s computer or other devices.
How Can Packets Be Intercepted by Hackers?
An attacker can intercept packets moving through a network in a number of different methods. One common technique is to install a packet sniffer on a computer linked to the disputed network. The attacker can record all traffic coming through because this computer serves as a proxy between the targeted devices and the outside world.
ARP poisoning is another popular tactic, in which the attacker deceives networked devices into believing they are in communication with another device when they are not (Grimmick, 2021). As a result, the attacker is able to read and intercept all traffic between the two “devices.”
Sniffing Attacks: Types
The two main varieties of sniffing attacks are passive and aggressive.
Passive Sniffing
A hacker uses a passive sniffing attack to observe network traffic without interfering in any manner. This kind of attack may be useful for learning more about network targets and the kinds of data they are delivering (such as login passwords and email messages). It is also less likely to spark suspicion than other sorts of attacks because it does not interfere with the target systems.
Active Sniffing
Sending specially designed packets to one or more network targets in order to retrieve sensitive data is known as active sniffing. Attackers frequently get around security features that would otherwise prevent data from being captured by employing specially constructed packets. Injecting malicious code into target systems during active sniffing enables attackers to gain control of them or steal confidential data.
Resulting from a Sniffing Attack
If the sniffing assault is successful, the targets could experience a range of serious negative effects. These could include:
- loss of critical data, including email messages, financial information, and login credentials
- the introduction of malicious code into target systems, which enables attackers to take control of targets or acquire confidential data
- Interruptions in network traffic can impair network performance and cause communication issues.
- disclosure of private data, including trade secrets and proprietary information
- Reputational harm to the organisation whose network was breached
Sniffing attacks: how are they prevented?
There are numerous methods for defending your network from sniffing attacks. Some important actions include:
- Encryption is used to prevent eavesdropping on sensitive data.
- Never communicate confidential data over an unencrypted link.
- Using antivirus and firewall software to secure all of the machines on a network
- ensuring that WPA or WEP encryption is being used to safeguard the wireless network
- upgrading software and hardware often to the most recent security fixes
- monitoring the types of communications that pass via the network and taking precautions to secure critical data
- connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while using a VPN
- monitoring the network constantly for odd behaviour