Sniffers What is it, what are they for and how to protect ourselves from them?

Cybercrimes are based on tools that we often do not know of their existence. This is the case of sniffers, which are computer developments that are used to extract information in a computer network.

You should be careful about these spy files that get installed on your device without your knowledge. The most worrying thing about this is that you will not be able to uninstall them as easily as you do with any other program or virus.

Fortunately There are different strategies that will help you avoid this type of contagion, which we will see below. So that you can understand a little more about what sniffers are, we present the following article where we will show you the main characteristics and transmission mechanisms of these spyware.

What is a Sniffers and what is this type of malicious program for?

A Computer network It is made up of a set of devices that are linked by cables or wirelessly. This computer architecture is used to transport data packets between the different nodes or components of the network.

There are programs that are installed on some of these nodes and that are used to control and analyze all the data transmissions that are generated between the different computers or devices. These software are known as sniffers. Sniffers can be used in 2 ways:

• one is used to obtain necessary information and thus detect errors that the network may have or certain data packages. This is usually done in order to improve the flow of information.
• The other way to use a sniffer is for cybercrime purposes.

That is, the sniffers are installed on a computer that is connected to the network to obtain data from a useror several of them, and thus manages to steal confidential information about financial details and other data that can harm people’s privacy.

It should be clarified that Sniffers are not considered a virus, since they do not generate any problem in the stability or performance of the equipment, it only extracts the information that it wants. The complication of these programs is because they do not have an option to uninstall them and they go unnoticed by users.

Characteristics of sniffers How can we identify these malware?

The main characteristics of these programs are the following:

• They are created for control the flow of information of a computer network.
• They can be used for criminal purposes or to get specific data and improve a network system.
• Malicious sniffers are installed without users noticing. In addition, their work is silent and they are also unnoticeable on devices.
• They are not considered viruses, since they do not cause damage to equipment. Therefore, an antivirus does not detect this program as a threat to the PC.
• Its propagation can be done only by manual and not automatic means.. That is, the presence of the hacker is necessary for a sniffer to be installed on a network. The same does not happen, for example, with worms in which there is computer development for their systematic reproduction.
• They do not have functions for uninstallation. To be able to eliminate them from the computer it is necessary to do it through an antispyware.
• It is not necessary that it be installed on a computer on the network, the hacker can also have it on his computer. After you gain access to the network (by different means) you can use the spyware.

How is it that a Sniffers has entered my network? Main transmission mechanisms

We said that one of the main features of a sniffer is that its installation cannot be done automatically. Therefore, For one of these programs to infiltrate a network, it will need the help of a system administrator. or of any person who has special permissions to be able to incorporate this spyware into the network.

The other way is to do it by spreading malware. For example, they use the help of viruses, Trojans, worms and any other malicious software that have special abilities to automatically enter the network.

Tips to protect ourselves and eliminate Sniffers and keep our network safe

To prevent sniffers from entering a network and thus prevent them from capturing the information sent by network peripherals, it will be necessary to follow the following advice:

Avoid opening emails from strangers

You must not forget that sniffers are installed on a network with the help of computer parasites. These malware need to access a computer through a certain path, email being one of the most recurrent and preferred by hackers.

Emails from people you don’t know or companies that provide you information that you did not request and they ask you to click on a certain link, you should discard them completely. It is very likely that they contain infected files that will access your computer and therefore spyware can enter.

Run an antivirus before using a flash drive

It is necessary that you install an antivirus that has antispyware within its functions. In this way, every time you need to extract information from another computer and that it is in a removable memory, you will have to run the program to detect if there is a Sniffers or any virus that can access the device. After you have the report, you just have to open the memory.

Avoid accessing your data on unsecured networks

It is recommended not to use apps related to bank accountselectronic wallets or any other type of sensitive information from a financial point of view in open or work networks.

Therefore, yesIf you need to do some task with this type of tools, you must be sure that you are not being spied on.. And in case you have to use this information yes or yes, try to access through virtual keyboards that provide the same applications.

Perform periodic maintenance through antispyware programs

Among the most important recommendations that we can make is that, periodically, you run reliable software that allows you to detect this type of spyware. You must bear in mind that you do not only have to do it on your computerbut also on all devices involved in the network.

Doubt all strange action on your computer

One of the most common techniques used by hackers is to simulate the interface of applications you trust in order to access the computer. You must pay close attention when you log in to apps or programs that do not require it on a regular basis, since they have the user ID and password memorized.

Also, pay attention to the URL you are browsing. You may think that you are on a secure page and in reality you are providing data, without realizing it, on the site of the computer intruder.