A "sniffer" is a network diagnostic tool, which captures netowkr traffic 
for analysis.  I use one extensively in my work.

  Vulnerability to sniffing involves two issues:

1.  Physical access to the network medium.  
  This is usually easy to restrict when the network flows over wires; it is 
virtually impossible to prevent when the data flows over radio waves through 
air, walls, people, etc.

2.  Ability to read an understand user data.
  HTTPS modifies HTTP by shrouding the data portion -- such as account name 
and user password -- by encrypting them in a way that is impractical to try 
to break.  Unfortunately, the encrypting derivatives of POP, etc have caught 
on less widely.

  If you will be using wireless much, you should use a VPN to encrypt the 
entire conversation.


  Most sniffer programs,especially free ones, read the data stream from an 
Ethernet port.There are a smaller number that support reading from a 
wireless interface; these generally include provisions to capture the 
various wireless control frames in addition to user traffic.

David Gillett



On 25 Jun 2007 at 9:40, [log in to unmask] wrote:

Date sent:      	Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:40:03 EDT
Send reply to:  	Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
             	<[log in to unmask]>
From:           	[log in to unmask]
Subject:        	[PCBUILD] Packet sniffer... sniffer
To:             	[log in to unmask]

>  
> Greetings All,
>  
>  In preparing to switch to a high speed microwave dish hook-up, I have  been 
> researching wireless routing. We have a small basement appartment which I  
> want to allow access to my connection. 
>  During my research I found a couple of articles touching on packet  sniffers 
> which show and record all activity, sites visited, etc. I have no  interest 
> in invading our renters privacy by spying on their internet activities  but 
> also mentioned in the articles was how this software can be used to retrieve  
> passwords and other personal info. There was also a short mention of using the  
> software to determine if there is a sniffer present to collect this info but I  
> found no specifics on how to do this. 
>  I downloaded "Smart Sniffer" v1.30 (freeware) to experiment but  without a 
> wireless network, experimentation is difficult.
>  I'm just looking to protect myself. Does anyone have any info on this  or 
> know of a site that covers it?
>  
> Many thanks,
> -Phil Williams-
> 
> 
> 
> 
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