Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam

Packet sniffing refers to the process of intercepting and analyzing data packets that flow through a network. It is typically used for monitoring network traffic and can be exploited by attackers to capture sensitive information, such as passwords or confidential communications. This activity does not contribute to the protection of network data; rather, it poses a risk to data security. In contrast, encryption is a method that encodes data to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring its confidentiality even if intercepted. Access controls are mechanisms that restrict who can view or use resources on a network, providing another layer of security. Similarly, session timeouts automatically log users out after a predetermined period of inactivity, reducing the chance of unauthorized access. Thus, while encryption, access controls, and session timeouts are effective techniques for protecting network data, packet sniffing serves to undermine security efforts.