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There are many forms of hacking out there to be aware of. When it comes to your network, sniffing is one of the top ways hackers steal information. This is why public Wi-Fi is so risky to use. With an unprotected network, your information can be compromised quickly and easily using sniffing tactics. So, what is sniffing?

What is Sniffing?

Sniffing refers to a hacking method that uses either hardware or software to capture data packets as they pass through the network. Data packets can include everything from financial information, account passwords, emails, and more. There are also instances where hackers can use sniffing tools to attack malicious code into traveling data packets in an effort to breach the receiving computer.

How Do Hackers use Sniffing?

Hackers can use information gathered from sniffing to steal sensitive data and to compromise your accounts. As a business, this type of data loss can be detrimental and can take years to recover from. The best way to keep your data safe is by preventing sniffing altogether.

What Can I do to Prevent Sniffing?

To prevent sniffing, follow the guidelines below.

• When sending sensitive information, always encrypt the files before sending.
• Always use a secure network.
• Use a virtual private network if you must use public Wi-Fi.
• Monitor your network for suspicious activity.
• Always ensure your computer has firewall and antivirus software installed and up to date.

For more information on keeping your business safe from sniffing, contact your local IT company. See you next time for Tech Tip Tuesday!