Passive Attack

What Does Passive Attack Mean?

A passive attack, in computing security, is an attack characterized by the attacker monitoring communication or systems. This can take forms such as reading emails, tracking internet use, or using a system's microphone and camera to "spy" on an individual. In a passive attack, the intruder/hacker does not attempt to alter the system or change data.

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Techopedia Explains Passive Attack

Passive attacks basically mean that the attacker is eavesdropping. This is in comparison to an active attack, where the intruder attempts to break into the system to access or change data. Even though a passive attack sounds less harmful, the damage in the end can be just as severe if the right type of information is obtained.

While it is possible for passive attacks to be performed for non-malicious reasons, such as marketing research, they are often initiated in order to gather information that can then be used to launch a much more harmful active attack.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…