A "sniffing tool" is a software program or device that is used to capture and analyze network traffic. This type of tool is often used by network administrators, security professionals, and other IT professionals to diagnose network problems, monitor network performance, and identify security threats.
Sniffing tools work by intercepting and analyzing network packets as they are transmitted across a network. These tools can capture and decode network packets in real-time, providing a detailed view of the traffic on a network. Sniffing tools can be used to identify network problems, such as bottlenecks and dropped packets, as well as to identify network security threats, such as unauthorized access attempts and malicious traffic.
Examples of popular sniffing tools include Wireshark, tcpdump, and Snort. These tools are often used in conjunction with other network analysis and monitoring tools to provide a complete view of network activity. However, it is important to note that the use of sniffing tools can raise privacy concerns, and their use should be carefully managed and controlled to avoid violations of privacy and security.
