With each passing day, new threats are discovered that put the security of information and our devices at risk. There is no lack of creativity when it comes to maliciously diverting data and carrying out scams over the internet . And one of the most dangerous threats today is the sniffer. In 2022 alone, there was a 37% increase in the rate of cyberattacks suffered in Brazil ( Checkpoint Software ), highlighting the vulnerability of digital security in the country.
Among all the dangers that permeate the internet, the sniffer is a tool that has a huge impact on information security , the confidentiality of activities carried out in the digital environment and our privacy.
Contrary to what many think, the sniffer was not created for malicious purposes. However, due to its functionality, it can also be used by cybercriminals in a very dangerous way, facilitating the exposure of all your digital activity.
To help you increase the protection of your company and guarantee the confidentiality of your information, we have prepared this material with everything you need to know about sniffer software: how they work and what is the best way to protect yourself from these threats. Continue reading and find out!
Sniffer: how it works and what its purpose is
Translated from English, sniffer can be understood as tracker or sniffer. Within the technology area, sniffer refers to a scam used to track and monitor user activities , allowing whoever uses this resource to have real-time access to all traffic that occurs on the monitored network.
The objectives of sniffer software will depend on the program being used. This means that it is possible to find several tools of this type on the market, which can be applied to analyze Internet data packages , networks and access patterns.
However, regardless of the type used, they can all monitor user behavior on a network . When applied legitimately, the sniffer can help maintain stability in the flow of information, detect possible bottlenecks and guarantee network quality.
Understand how this monitoring happens in practice: Sniffing and methods for intercepting data traffic on computer networks.
To make this monitoring possible, the sniffer captures data packets that are circulating through the network. In this way, it gives access so that the tool administrator can monitor the activities being carried out, check all files that pass through the network, such as documents, images and message exchanges . With this access, it allows the person responsible to have access to all the digital behavior of the monitored user.
Although there are hardware versions of this tool, the type of sniffer most used today is in software format. Sniffer analysis happens in two different ways:
Passive sniffer
With a passive sniffer, the administrator is able to capture traffic, without the need for any type of direct interaction with the network or the device. In a network that uses hubs, traffic can flow freely. This means that the computer can receive all this traffic, but ignores everything that is not directly addressed to it . In this way, the sniffer can passively observe and monitor everything that passes through this network, making it extremely difficult to detect.
Active sniffer
This type of sniffer is used in larger networks, especially those that use network switches to direct traffic. In this case, it is necessary to bypass network restrictions that are imposed by the devices so that it can monitor traffic. Because it is a tool that presents more interaction and more active behavior, this type of sniffer is easier to detect.
The main difference between these two types is that the passive sniffer can only see the information that enters and leaves the machine where it is located, while the active sniffer bypasses blocks and data routing tools to carry out monitoring in a more assertive way.
Is Sniffer always a threat?
As we saw previously, monitoring through sniffers is not a negative thing, and is widely used by administrators and network managers to ensure more traffic stability and connection quality. This is because by detecting bottlenecks, the sniffer is able to provide realistic information about traffic to those responsible, and from there encourage the application of resolving measures. However, many cybercriminals use tools of this type to carry out cyber attacks, as happens with Spyware .
The monitoring software used by these cybercriminals can be found under different names, such as network monitor, network analyzer, Ethernet analyzer, packet analyzer , among others.
Regardless of the name, they all have the same objective, which is to spy on network traffic, digital behavior and activities performed.
But how does it work in practice? To better understand how this tool works, let's use an analogy: imagine internet traffic as a large road , with each car representing a data package and the people inside these cars being the data itself.
The sniffer monitors each of these cars/packages as they circulate, regardless of whether they were directed to the device or not. Depending on the cybercriminal's objective, these sniffers may monitor all data packets or only target a specific packet type . This feature is a filter module that allows the manager, administrator or cybercriminal to determine the type of information he wants to observe.
Is it possible to protect yourself
As we have seen, although sniffers were created for legitimate functionality, they can also be used to maliciously monitor the behavior of one or more users on the network. For this reason, it is important to implement tools and strategies to protect yourself, maintain the privacy of your data and the security of your information.
Below are some measures that can be used in this protection process:
Use an antivirus
Having a good antivirus is the first step to ensuring the security of your data and your device. It is important that it is a reliable and quality professional antivirus , and that it is always up to date and active to ensure the protection of your data.
Avoid public Wi-Fi networks
This type of network does not have the necessary security tools to protect your information. In most cases, public networks are more vulnerable to different types of attacks . They favor the creation of access points to facilitate the actions of cybercriminals.
Don't forget to activate the Firewall
Along with antivirus, Firewall is an essential security tool for anyone looking to ensure the protection of their information and devices. For this reason, it is essential to keep your devices' firewall activated at all times , in order to increase security and prevent the entry of unwanted and malicious software.
Be aware of insecure protocols
The most robust protocols were created to keep your connection even more secure. This means that the HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) protocol provides extra protection, unlike the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). This certification helps maintain the security of your devices during data exchange.
Encryption is essential
The exchange of messages between applications and websites must have end-to-end encryption. This way, the information that is sent and received through these applications will be more protected and is encrypted both when sending and receiving.
Always protect yourself
There are several threats that can put the confidentiality of your data and browsing security at risk. It is important to know what the main scams are today and be prepared to recognize them . On our website you will find a series of articles and rich materials detailing different types of scams , such as DDoS attacks , what the warning signs are and the best way to protect yourself from these threats.
Internet access control could be a solution
As we discussed previously, it is essential to have a good antivirus and keep your Firewall activated. Together with an Internet usage policy , having these resources can make all the difference when it comes to data protection.
Blocking access to websites considered harmful can be a good solution to effectively protect yourself from Sniffers.
Tools like DNS Filter , Next DNS and Lumiun are interesting and well-structured alternatives.
If your goal is to ensure the protection of your devices, networks and data, you need to consider hiring an efficient and robust tool.
Just as technology advances, new strategies for information theft, espionage and malicious activities also emerge daily, and you must always be one step ahead of this.
I hope this text has helped you and your company.
Until later!
