Glossary definition: Passive Scanning

Passive Scanning: What You Need to Know

Passive scanning is a type of network security scanning technique used to detect potential security threats on a computer network without sending any packets or initiating any direct communication with the target systems. Passive scanning is a non-intrusive way to assess a network's security posture by gathering information passively from the network traffic. This technique allows the scanning system to observe the traffic on the network without being detected or interfering with the normal flow of traffic. Passive scanning is useful for identifying weak points in a network's security as well as detecting malicious activity, such as malware, unauthorized access, or malicious code execution. Passive scanning can also help identify potential vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure, such as unpatched systems or unencrypted communication.