Packet sniffing is a technique used to capture and analyze data packets that travel across a network. It allows network administrators and security professionals to monitor network traffic, troubleshoot issues, and detect unauthorized access. By examining these packets, they can gain insights into the types of data being transmitted, such as emails, web traffic, and file transfers. Tools known as packet sniffers facilitate this process by intercepting packets as they travel through the network. Common examples of packet sniffers include Wireshark and tcpdump. While packet sniffing can be beneficial for network management, it can also pose security risks if used maliciously to capture sensitive information like passwords and personal data.