Hello, everyone!
I'd like to share this with you.
What's Sniffer?
Sniffer is a technique that allows you to analyze network traffic. Generally used by network administrators to diagnose problems in their network, as well as to know what kind of traffic there is on it. Unfortunately, like all monitoring and analysis instruments, the sniffer can be used by a malicious person who has physical access to the network to gather information.
Sniffer can also be used by a malicious person who has physical access to the network to gather information and subsequently commit an attack or theft. At their base, the vast majority of Internet protocols transmit information transparently, without encryption. Examples of applications used without encryption: Telnet, FTP, and HTTP. The use of these protocols facilitates the “work” of an attacker, as all information sent or received can be intercepted. Detecting the presence of a passive sniffer is not an easy task. Passive sniffers on Wi-Fi networks are virtually invisible. So, your best defense is encryption.
How to avoid Sniffers?
Don't visit unencrypted websites (HTTP)
Check the website URL. Websites with HTTPS are encrypted and your activities there are protected. The lock icon is just one among many indicators to identify a safe website.
Figure 1 - HTTPS x HTTP
Avoid public Wi-Fi networks
Anyone connected to the same public Wi-Fi network publishes that you can collect your data, so avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks with little or no security.
Figure 2 - Public Wi-Fi
Protect your machine, use antivirus
Antivirus is a program used to protect and prevent computers and other devices from codes or viruses, in order to provide more security to the user. As the sniffers work on the local computer, the antivirus will use the resources available to detect and remove them from the machine. Before performing the contraction of an antivirus, validate if there are resources against sniffers.
Figure 3 - Antivirus
To reflect:
A sniffer deployed on a business or personal machine can damage an entire network, or, depending on the resources used and the proportion of the sniffer can cause enormous harm to you or your business.
Thank you for reading.
