As soon as you connect to the internet, you 'sign on' to a network that is under the watch of your ISP. This network can communicate with other networks and in short forms the basis of the internet. If a packet sniffer is located at a server owned by your ISP, it has the potential to gain access to:
* The web sites visited.
* What is searched for on the site.
* Your e-mail recipients.
* The contents of your mail.
* Any files you download.
* A list of your audio, video and telephony options.
* A list of visitors to your website.
What is a Packet Sniffer Used For?
Packet sniffing programs are found in two forms and may be used legally or illegally. A commercial packet sniffer is used to assist in maintaining networks and an underground packet sniffer is one used by unscrupulous individuals to gain access to a remote host i.e. to hack into your system.
Packet sniffers can:
o Search for clear-text usernames and passwords from the network.
o Convert network traffic into human readable form.
o Analyze Networks to detect bottlenecks.
o Detect network intruders
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How Does a Packet Sniffer Work?
A packet sniffer works by viewing every packet sent in the network. This includes packets not intended
for itself. How does it do this?
