ComputingComputer EngineeringComputer ScienceComputer NetworksComputer SecurityNetwork SecurityCommunication Network ProtectionNetwork Protocol VulnerabilitiesNetwork SwitchingNetwork Traffic AnalysisPacket SwitchingSwitching TechniquesAddress ResolutionAddress Resolution ProtocolPacket SniffingPacket SpoofingSpoofing Attack DetectionSpoofing AttacksSpoofing PreventionSwitched Systems
This paper focuses on the threat of packet sniffing in a switched environment, and briefly explores the effect in a non-switched environment. Detail is given on a number of techniques, such as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) spoofing, which can allow an attacker to eavesdrop on network traffic in a switched environment. Third party tools exist that permit sniffing on a switched network. The result of running some of these tools on an isolated, switched network is presented, and clearly demonstrates that the threat they pose is real and significant.