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Reference.org
Sniffing attack
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<p>Sniffing attack in context of <a href="/facts/Network_security/09f8YxwD">network security</a>, corresponds to <a href="/facts/Data_theft/tz3NXQI1">theft</a> or interception of data by capturing the <a href="/facts/Network_traffic/sdUtmrxM">network traffic</a> using a <a href="/facts/Packet_sniffer/mFQP7gWB">packet sniffer</a> (an application aimed at capturing <a href="/facts/Network_packet/xCYf8SJu">network packets</a>). When data is transmitted across networks, if the data packets are not encrypted, the data within the network packet can be read using a sniffer. Using a sniffer application, an attacker can analyze the network and gain information to eventually cause the network to crash or to become corrupted, or read the communications happening across the network. </p>