Question

Wireless Sensor Networks/Internet of Things Topic

Quesiton 8

In wireless network snooping is possible. What are the positive aspects of snooping?

Answer 1

a. In wireless networks snooping is indeed possible. A classic example of this is Wireshark which is used to analyze wireless packets in the vicinity. If not proper cryptography is used, it can even help decipher the message and data in the packet. Proper protocols thus need to be followed for wireless transfer of data for security.

Various WIFI Heat Mappers are also available in custom devices that can provide the position of access points and RSSI strength of the respective signals.

IP Spoofing along with MAC spoofing also provides unauthorized access to a wireless network to a third party. This can result in the snooping of an outside agent into the network. Various apps also like Fing are available for monitoring details of wireless networks around you.

b. White hat snooping can measure the health of the wireless network and introduce the admin to vulnerabilities in their network.

Snooping can also help penetrate illegal organizations' networks and access information.

Profiling of users for legal purposes has been possible through wireless networks only, collection of data points for targeted user experience.