What is Full Packet Capture?

Full Packet Capture (FPC), also known as network traffic analysis (NTA) or packet sniffing, involves capturing all network packets passing through a specific point on a network. This captured data, which includes the entire packet content (headers and payload), is then stored for later analysis. FPC is commonly used for network troubleshooting, security monitoring (intrusion detection, malware analysis), performance analysis, and compliance auditing. Analyzing the captured packets allows security professionals to identify malicious activity, diagnose network issues, and understand communication patterns.