How does packet sniffing affect network security?

Packet sniffing is a method used to monitor and capture data packets that traverse a network. It is primarily utilized for network analysis and troubleshooting, but it poses significant security threats. When an unauthorized party engages in packet sniffing, they can intercept sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and confidential communications transmitted over the network.

This interception occurs because packet sniffers can capture data packets before they are encrypted or after they are decrypted. For instance, if data is sent over a network without proper encryption, a packet sniffer can easily capture this data in its readable form. Even encrypted data may be at risk if a vulnerability exists or if the encryption is poorly implemented.

Therefore, the primary reason that packet sniffing affects network security negatively is due to the potential for compromise of sensitive information, resulting in data breaches, loss of privacy, and other security incidents. It underscores the importance of implementing strong encryption protocols and other security measures to protect against such vulnerabilities in network communications.