This security breach occurs when an attacker covertly captures data packets, radio signals, or telephone conversations passing between two endpoints. In data networks, it is typically executed using packet sniffers or spanning port mirrors to copy traffic without altering it. Because the interception is passive, the communicating parties rarely notice the monitoring unless they detect physical taps or employ strong encryption protocols to render the captured data useless.
Heard on the job
We need to force TLS on all internal API calls to prevent eavesdropping on the management VLAN.
Insider tip
Passive eavesdropping leaves no trace on the network, making end-to-end encryption the only reliable defense against it.
Also heard as
- passive interception
- sniffing