Packet Sniffing

So currently there is some discussion on packet sniffing on the Tyrant forums. I dabbled in it late last night, but oddly my computer broke down this morning (it use to do this a lot, but I thought I fixed the problem but apparently not). Using my slow Linux box right now.

Essentially the packets from the Tyrant flash are unencrypted so if use something like Fiddler or Wireshark (old Ethereal methinks), then you can get all sorts of interesting data.

I won't go into the packets that can be used to cheat or even create bots (note: I've never programmed a bot yet) ... but I did find that there is a members list data that can be easily obtain.

It shows the loyalty of our members but also a pseudo date they last logged on.

I think I just got bit by a curiousity bug... should I drop this.


P.S. I'll be on hiatus for a week or so

Uh, so, what is packet sniffing?

It's essentially eavesdropping on the conversation between a server and client (in this case, the Tyrant server and the flash game). And with that there are sometimes things you can find out that you were not meant to know, and it's especially troublesome if it allows eavesdroppers to gain an unfair advantage in the game.

EDIT: Packet sniffing is sometimes used in public/unsecured wifi hotspots to look for unencrypted username/password combinations being sent over the air (between a laptop and the router, for example).