Network security is an ever-evolving field with new threats emerging every few months. As a network administrator, it is your job to ensure that the network is as secure as possible against potential threats.
One of the most important tools an administrator has at their disposal is traffic monitoring. Having the ability to see what traffic is moving across the network and what devices are interacting with each other can reveal some serious security issues.
There are several ways to monitor network traffic, but one of the most reliable ways is to use a sniffer device. A sniffer device is typically a hardware device that an administrator inserts into an Ethernet line to capture all traffic moving through it. These devices have been replaced by software solutions in some cases, however.
This article will talk about some of the best sniffer devices on the market and some of the best software solutions for sniffing network traffic.
Traffic mirror
A traffic mirror is a device that allows an administrator to monitor network traffic. It functions by copying all network traffic and sending it to a designated device for observation.
Traffic mirrors are most commonly used in production environments to quickly gather data on malicious activity. By having a mirror in place, you will be able to see what actions the attacker took and how they did it.
This is very helpful when it comes to defending the network against future attacks. It also helps with informing other organizations of the attack so that they may defend themselves.
There are two main types of traffic mirrors: passive and active. A passive mirror does not interfere with the network traffic, thus allowing for full observation of what happens. An active mirror, however, does interfere with the network traffic. This may either help or hinder detection of malware or attackers.
Sniffer
A sniffer is a piece of software or a device that can be inserted into a network to allow an administrator to monitor traffic. Sniffers are used primarily by network administrators to find and resolve issues within the network.
Network administrators can install sniffers on devices within the network or in the case of wireless networks, can use software to scan for wireless networks and then monitor traffic on those networks.
The biggest risk of using sniffers is that they are able to pick up confidential information being transmitted across the network. This includes passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.
Because sniffers are so powerful, they are primarily only given to experienced administrators that know how to use them correctly. They are also heavily regulated depending on the environment in which they are used.
Directional antenna
A hardware device that can be inserted into a network to allow an administrator to monitor traffic is a sniffer, or more specifically, a network sniffer.
A network sniffer is a device that monitors and records traffic on a network. It is used by administrators to check for unauthorized access to the network or security breaches.
Network sniffers come in several forms, including software applications, dedicated hardware devices, and probes that are inserted into the network cable. The difference lies in how they gather information about the traffic.
Software based sniffers work by pulling information from the cables that are being transmitted, gathering as much information as possible. Dedicated hardware devices pull all of the information from the specific source they are targeting, which is more precise.
Wireless access point
A wireless access point, also called a Wi-Fi access point or Wi-Fi AP, is a device that connects a network to a wireless network and allows other devices to connect to the network.
Administrators can use a wireless access point to monitor all traffic that comes into the network. The administrator can then check who is connecting, what sites they are accessing, and how much data they are transferring.
These devices are very useful for security purposes. If there is suspicion of malicious activity on the network, the security administrator can now easily check what is happening on the wireless side of things as well.
Security administrators usually have several wireless access points on the campus so that there are backups in case one goes down. Having multiple backups ensures that there is never no connectivity on campus due to failure of an device.
Packet analyzer
A packet analyzer is a hardware device that can be inserted into a network to allow an administrator to monitor traffic. It is used to capture and display network traffic.
A packet analyzer works by dynamically analyzing network traffic. It does this by monitoring the data being sent and received across a network connection.
It then breaks down the data into packets, or small amounts of data, which are analyzed to determine whether they are being sent or received correctly.
The advantage of using a packet analyzer is that it provides an administrator with a more in-depth look at the traffic on the network. This allows the administrator to find issues that may not be apparent by just looking at the internet browser interface for the sites being visited.
However, there are some drawbacks to using a packet analyzer. One such drawback is that it can be costly to purchase one that provides good quality results.
Network switch
A network switch is a hardware device that allows for the communication of devices within a network. Switches have ports that allow devices to be connected and they have bandwidth that limits how much information can be transferred.
Network switches can have either physical or virtual software built into them. Physical switches are sold as standalone products and come in a variety of brands while software switches are built into other computer programs, like a router program.
Administrators can use network switches to monitor traffic by installing monitoring software on a switch port. This puts the traffic being transmitted onto the monitor for inspection. It also allows for the limiting of traffic, like slowing down excessive data transfer.
This is a useful tool for security purposes as it allows for the tracking of suspicious activity.
Fiber optic converter
A fiber optic converter is a hardware device that can be inserted into a network to allow an administrator to monitor traffic. It does this by converting network traffic from one format to another.
Typically, networks use Ethernet cables to connect devices such as computers and printers to the router. The router then broadcasts these connections across the network using something called protocols.
A protocol is just a set of rules that devices follow when communicating with each other. For example, when you send a text message on your phone, the protocol for texting requires you to send a specific set of information to the receiver so they can understand it.
A fiber optic converter works similar to an Ethernet converter, but it converts optical signals into electrical signals or vice versa. This allows older networks that use optical cables to be connected to newer networks that use electrical cables.
Router
A router is a device that handles traffic on a network. It filters which devices can communicate with each other, which websites devices can access, and other network settings.
Because routers are built for general use, it is difficult for an average user to customize the features. A developer or expert user might be able to adjust some settings, but not all.
Problems with routers can go unnoticed until they become an issue. This can lead to a longer period of vulnerability for your network.
If you are concerned about security on your network, or want to monitor your traffic, then you should look into acquiring a new router. You can purchase a new router from internet providers or hardware stores at a reasonable price.
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