packet sniffer

packet sniffer: 1. A dedicated device designed for the purpose of monitoring network traffic in order to recognize and decode certain packets of interest. 2. A software package that enables a general-purpose computer to recognize and decode certain packets of interest. [After 2382-pt.35] Note: The packet sniffer is normally used by system administrators for network management and diagnostics, but is occasionally used by hackers for illicit purposes such as stealing a user's password or credit-card number. [2382-pt.35] 3. In INFOSEC, synonym sniffer.

This HTML version of Telecom Glossary 2K was last generated on Wed May 8 15:36:48 DT 2002.