Passive attack vs. active attack

Active and Passive Attacks are security attacks.

In an active attack, an attacker tries to modify the content of the messages. In a passive attack, an attacker observes the messages and copies them.

Below are some important differences between active and passive attack.

Active attack

• an attacker tries to modify the content of the messages

• dangerous for integrity and availability

• attention has to be paid to detection

• system is damaged

• victim is informed

• system Resources can be changed

Passive Attacks

• information remains unchanged

• dangerous for confidentiality

• attention needs to be paid to prevention

• the system has no impact

• victim does not get informed

• system resources are unchanged