EAVES DROPPING

Eavesdropping is the act of secretly or stealthily listening to the private conversation or communications of others without their consent. The practice is widely regarded as unethical, and in many jurisdictions is illegal.

An eavesdropping attack, which are also known as a sniffing or snooping attack, is an incursion where someone tries to steal information that computers, smartphones, or other devices transmit over a network. An eavesdropping attack takes advantage of unsecured network communications to access the data being sent and received. Eavesdropping attacks are difficult to detect because they do not cause network transmissions to appear to be operating abnormally.

An eavesdropping attack (also called sniffing or snooping) takes place when somebody attempts to steal information transmitted over a wired or wireless network, whether that information comes from a computer or other device. These types of cyber-attacks often happen due to the usage of unsecured networks such as public Wi-Fi.

DANGER OF EAVES-DROPPING

Nowadays, there are numerous ways of exploiting the information transmitted over a network:

• Payment information can be used to transfer money to the cyber-criminal's account, or simply used to purchase items without the user’s knowledge.
• Identity theft can occur if personal information (such as social security numbers and so on) is ever sent online. Cyber-criminals can commit crimes and put the blame on the victims of eavesdropping.
• Blackmail for money or emotional leverage is also a possibility if cyber attackers come across sensitive user information.
• User accounts and passwords may be stolen for the reasons above, or simply to inflict as much damage as possible within a private network.

PREVIOUS                                                                                              NEXT