Snarfing
Encyclopedia
Snarfing is information theft or data manipulation in wireless, local networks (→ WLAN
). Furthermore, snarfing is a cache coherence mechanism. The word snarf probably is a portmanteau from snort and scarf and derived as a rather malicious form of sniffing
.
Transferred to information technology, snarfing means that wireless devices are detected and then will be attacked by using vulnerabilities
.
The "Snarfer" can simulate an internet exchange point
by a man-in-the-middle attack
for example and gather information or data. Snarfing was first seen with Bluetooth
devices, where the term bluesnarfing
is now in use. Snarfing can be made drastically more difficult with appropriate hardware
and software security measures
.
Wireless LAN
A wireless local area network links two or more devices using some wireless distribution method , and usually providing a connection through an access point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network...
). Furthermore, snarfing is a cache coherence mechanism. The word snarf probably is a portmanteau from snort and scarf and derived as a rather malicious form of sniffing
Browser sniffing
Browser sniffing is a technique used in websites and web applications in order to determine the web browser a visitor is using, and to serve browser-appropriate content to the visitor. This practice is sometimes utilized to circumvent incompatibilities between browsers in areas such as the...
.
Transferred to information technology, snarfing means that wireless devices are detected and then will be attacked by using vulnerabilities
Vulnerability (computing)
In computer security, a vulnerability is a weakness which allows an attacker to reduce a system's information assurance.Vulnerability is the intersection of three elements: a system susceptibility or flaw, attacker access to the flaw, and attacker capability to exploit the flaw...
.
The "Snarfer" can simulate an internet exchange point
Internet Exchange Point
An Internet exchange point is a physical infrastructure through which Internet service providers exchange Internet traffic between their networks . IXPs reduce the portion of an ISP's traffic which must be delivered via their upstream transit providers, thereby reducing the average per-bit...
by a man-in-the-middle attack
Man-in-the-middle attack
In cryptography, the man-in-the-middle attack , bucket-brigade attack, or sometimes Janus attack, is a form of active eavesdropping in which the attacker makes independent connections with the victims and relays messages between them, making them believe that they are talking directly to each other...
for example and gather information or data. Snarfing was first seen with Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
devices, where the term bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing is the unauthorized access of information from a wireless device through a Bluetooth connection, often between phones, desktops, laptops, and PDAs. This allows access to a calendar, contact list, emails and text messages, and on some phones users can copy pictures and private videos...
is now in use. Snarfing can be made drastically more difficult with appropriate hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
and software security measures
Information security
Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, perusal, inspection, recording or destruction....
.
External links
- Airsnarf Attack
- Demonstration: A rogue access point setup utility
- Wiktionary "snarf"