would like to know about packet sniffering in network programming.
2006-11-06 15:00:02 · 5 answers · asked by John 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
it's a network security tool designed to detect malicious activity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_sniffer
2006-11-06 15:07:57 · answer #1 · answered by metallhd62 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Packet sniffer (also called protocol analyzer or Ethernet sniffer) is computer software (most of the times) or computer hardware that can intercept and log 'traffic' passing over a digital network or part of a network. As data streams travel back and forth over the network, the sniffer captures each packet and eventually decodes and analyzes its content according to the appropriate RFC or other specifications. Depending on the network structure (hub or switch) one can sniff all or just parts of the traffic from a single machine within the network; however, there are some methods to avoid traffic narrowing by switches to gain access to traffic from other systems on the network. For network monitoring purposes it may also be desirable to monitor all data packets in a LAN by using a network switch with a so-called monitoring port, whose purpose is to mirror all packets passing through all ports of the switch.
The special network device driver used for some packet sniffing software is said to operate in "promiscuous mode" as it listens to everything on the wire.
2006-11-06 23:38:57 · answer #2 · answered by joj 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Download ethereal. Basically the internet works like a really quick postal service. Lets assume packets work like letters and packages sent through the postal service. Letters are sent and letters are recieved and letters pass through different post offices on the way to their destination. Packet sniffers allow you to read the letters that are arriving or departing from your computer. They also allow machine between you and your destination to read the letters. It is possible for you to read any data that is sent or recieved or passes through your local network.
Packets are what any data that is sent over the internet is broken into. That includes e-mail, web pages, instant messages and more. If you worry about securing your information make sure that the data is encrypted.
2006-11-06 23:25:45 · answer #3 · answered by To Be Free 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A person that sniffs packets! lol :)
2006-11-06 23:01:42 · answer #4 · answered by day dreamin baby 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WE USE IT FOR MONITIROING WEB SITES &TELEPHONE.
2006-11-08 05:39:25 · answer #5 · answered by Arun T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋