Passive Traffic Analysis Attack
Passive traffic analysis is a type of cyberattack that involves the monitoring of network traffic in order to obtain sensitive information, such as login credentials, without actually interfering with the traffic or sending any malicious payloads. In simpler terms, it’s like spying on someone’s internet traffic without them knowing.
Attackers use various tools and techniques, such as packet sniffers, to intercept and analyse data packets that are transmitted between devices over a network. Once the data packets are captured, attackers can perform various actions, such as decrypting encrypted data or identifying patterns and characteristics from the data packets.
This type of attack can be particularly devastating because it is difficult to detect and does not require the attacker to take any overt actions that would trigger security controls or alert the victim. Passive traffic analysis attacks are also difficult to defend against because they do not involve any direct malicious activity, and can be performed remotely without physical access to the victim’s network.
Therefore, it is important for individuals and organisations to take proactive steps to protect themselves from passive traffic analysis attacks, such as using encryption protocols or implementing security measures to detect and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.