Network Security, Firewalls, and VPNs, 3rd Edition

Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping is listening in on communications. Eavesdropping can be the recording of network traffic using a packet-capturing tool, generically known as a sniffer (FIGURE 2-6). Hackers can eavesdrop against data packets or against voice traffic. Eavesdropping can occur over wired or wireless connections.

FIGURE 2-6 Eavesdropping on an existing session between client and server.

Any communication performed in plain and directly usable data forms is subject to interception and recording. You can prevent eavesdropping by using encrypted protocols. Only strongly cryptographically encoded messages are safe from outsiders learning ...