Network or system admins can sniff on traffic using hardware like routers with built-in sniffing capabilities. Sniffers can come in the form of software or hardware. Packet sniffers capture and analyze the data packets that flow through a network. Filtered sniffers are configured to inspect only certain types of traffic. Unfiltered sniffers inspect every car, harvesting all traffic traveling through a network.

Sniffers, then, are like a tollbooth - they are set up to inspect all cars driving down the road, not just those that park in one driveway. Similarly, your computer ignores most traffic flowing through a network, and only inspects the specific packets of data that are sent to it. Although you generally ignore most cars driving by, you’re likely to investigate if a truck pulls up in your driveway.

Just as cars make up road traffic, internet traffic consists of packets of data traveling through a network. Sniffers work by capturing internet traffic and analyzing the data streams to uncover the nature - or even the specific contents - of data sent across a network.

Record communications such as emails and instant messages Using packet sniffing tools, hackers can spy on people and steal their personal data, usually with the goal of identity theft or another form of fraud.Ĭapture private info like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, etc. Hackers use sniffer software to capture, decode, and analyze packets of data sent over a network using TCP/IP or other protocols. To capture data packets traveling through a network Here are some of the many legal ways network sniffers are used by cybersecurity professionals, system administrators, and network engineers: Most legitimate sniffers are used to maintain the smooth flow of traffic through a network. Unfortunately, today’s hackers can take advantage of sniffing software that’s available online. Sniffers were originally designed to be used by professional network engineers and system administrators to monitor traffic and ensure their networks stayed safe. What is network sniffing software used for? While sniffers aren't actually viruses, they can be packaged with malware and used by hackers to spy on your online activity, recording everything you’re doing, including your usernames and passwords, credit card details, and other private information.

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