Home
Topics
Enterprise Network Security
Network Intrusion Detection and Analysis
Network Intrusion Prevention (IPS)
How to keep packet sniffers from collecting sensitive data

Ask the Expert

How to keep packet sniffers from collecting sensitive data

Mike Chapple, Enterprise Compliance

What are the best ways to protect users from packet sniffers that can collect sensitive information like passwords?

Requires Free Membership to View

Login

By submitting you agree to receive email communications from
TechTarget and its partners. Privacy Policy Terms of Use.

There are two important actions that can protect users from packet sniffers and other eavesdropping attacks.

First, use encryption! If you encrypt sensitive data and passwords while in transit, you'll render packet sniffers useless.

Encryption can be implemented in a number of ways: SSL (HTTPS) connections to Web servers, encrypted SSL or TLS connections to mail servers, or other application-specific techniques. Alternatively, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt entire communications links, regardless of protocol.

Second, use a switched network. In this case, a packet sniffer will only be able to eavesdrop on connections taking place on its own local switch port. If you assign each system to an individual switch port, there simply won't be any packets for the packet sniffer to intercept.

More information:

Looking to sniff out problem packets? Contributor Scott Sidel recommends Wireshark.

Use a packet sniffer to determine whether an email message is encrypted or not.

More News and Tutorials

Articles

Related glossary terms

Terms for Whatis.com - the technology online dictionary

This was first published in April 2007

Join the conversationComment

Share

Comments

Results

Contribute to the conversation

All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.

Back to top

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Cloud Security
Consumerization
Financial Security
SMB Security
Security AU
Security IN
Computer Weekly

Cloud Security
- Echopass achieves PCI Level 1 certification; CISO offers PCI guidance
  
  On the heels of Echopass achieving PCI Level 1 certification, CISO Dennis Empey offers PCI guidance for other cloud providers navigating the process.
- SearchCloudSecurity's Cloud computing security certification guide
  
  Certification expert Ed Tittel examines the growing number of cloud computing security certifications, both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific.
- CSA exec: Cloud defense demands intelligent security strategy
  
  Video: Cloud Security Alliance COO John Howie discusses the 'intelligent security' strategy necessary for cloud providers to defeat targeted attacks.
Consumerization
- Apple's free iWork suite provides alternative to Office for iOS
  
  Apple's free iWork is considered a Trojan horse, since it gives new iOS device users an office productivity suite ahead of Microsoft Office for iOS.
- Consumer cloud services: Friend or foe?
  
  IT and workers alike can reap benefits from using the consumer cloud, but admins have to get past the concerns over data security first.
- Notebooks or tablets: Which to choose for mobile workers
  
  A mobile workforce that uses the cloud needs their company to think about end-user segmentation to determine the best devices for their needs.
searchFinancialSecurity
- PayPal CISO: Laws must foster better cybersecurity information sharing
  
  PayPal's Michael Barrett says many firms fear misuse of shared cybersecurity data. He also discusses the evolution of PCI DSS and mobile payment security.
- Cybergang plans to use Trojan against U.S. banks
  
  A cybergang in Eastern Europe revealed plans to attack U.S. banks with a Gozi-like Trojan, according to RSA.
- Improved Shylock Trojan targets banking users
  
  The latest variant of the banking Trojan is causing numerous problems, Symantec said.
searchMidmarketSecurity
- Windows Phone 7 security: Assessing WP7 security features
  
  Windows Phone 7 security features are proving to be a mixed bag. Sam Cattle assesses the enterprise security pros and cons of the latest Windows mobile platform.
- Choosing the best security certifications for your career
  
  Whether starting your career or planning your next step as an IT security professional, this tip will guide you toward the best certifications for your interests and experience.
- A step-by-step SMB IT security risk assessment process
  
  Assessing your organization's security threats and risks takes just five steps, says Robbie Higgins. Check out his quick guide to the SMB security risk assessment process.
searchSecurityAU
- NYT cyberattack neatly sidestepped by big data
  
  Big data analysis of IP addresses performed by OpenDNS kept some 50 million users from falling prey to the hijacking of The New York Times website.
- How to assess cloud risk tolerance
  
  Assessing risk tolerance is a key part of a cloud risk management strategy. In this tip expert Ed Moyle explains how to assess cloud risk tolerance.
- TPM security overview: Defining the benefits of TPM devices
  
  The nearly ubiquitous TPM device is an often-overlooked tool in an infosec pro's arsenal. Expert Michael Cobb details the benefits of TPM security.
Information Security
- Android-based mobile malware rises – but what is the risk to Indian businesses?
  
  Mobile-dependent Indian businesses must secure networks against viruses as McAfee reports a large jump in Android-based malware
- Dropbox can be hacked, say security researchers
  
  Security researchers say they bypassed the security of cloud-based storage service Dropbox and gained access to private user files
- Android mobile malware rebounds in Q2, reports McAfee
  
  Android-based malware has grown 35% in the second quarter, according to the latest threat report from security firm McAfee
Computer Weekly
- Cyber insurance: Understanding the legal language
  
  CIOs worried about cyber risk are increasingly turning to cyber insurance to offset risk. But is the cover as black and white as it first seems?
- After virtualising IT estate, Jaguar Land Rover now eyes cloud computing
  
  Jaguar Land Rover's IT team takes its newly virtualised infrastructure to the next stage of IT evolution by adopting cloud-based services
- Will the iPhone 5S’s fingerprint technology help enterprise security?
  
  A fingerprint sensor has been built into Apple's latest iPhones. Computer Weekly looks at what this means for enterprise security

All Rights Reserved,Copyright 2000 - 2013, TechTarget