Being aware and cautious when browsing can prevent users from falling prey to nefarious tactics.Sniffing is the technique used to monitor and record all data packets continuously that go through a network. Don’t fall prey to social engineering tricks and traps: Hackers and cyberattackers will often employ phishing emails and spoofed website to trick people into unwittingly downloading sniffers.

Some sites only indicate “HTTP.” The additional “S” at the end is an indication that the site adheres to more robust security protocols that encrypt communications and will prevent sniffers used by hackers from seeing the data. Look for secure HTTPS protocols before surfing the web: Before surfing the internet, look for the “HTTPS” in the address bar of a website.Any sniffer attempting to monitor traffic over a VPN will only see data that has been scrambled, making it useless to the hacker. Rely on a trusted VPN connection: When accessing the internet remotely, always use a trusted Virtual Private Network that encrypts the connection and masks all data from sniffers.Avoiding such networks is a wise security choice unless the user is accessing an encrypted VPN. Hackers can easily sniff the entire network, gaining access to sensitive data. Do not use public Wi-Fi networks: Wi-Fi networks found in public spaces typically lack security protocols to fully protect users.The following defenses can reduce the risk of exposure to hackers: There are several steps organizations can take to protect their networks from illicit sniffing activities. How to protect networks from illicit sniffers

Network sniffer