ARP is the acronym for Address Resolution Protocol. It is used to convert IP address to physical addresses [MAC address] on a switch. The host sends an ARP broadcast on the network, and the recipient computer responds with its physical address [MAC Address]. The resolved IP/MAC address is then used to communicate. ARP poisoning is sending fake MAC addresses to the switch so that it can associate the fake MAC addresses with the IP address of a genuine computer on a network and hijack the traffic.
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IP Address is the acronym for Internet Protocol address. An internet protocol address is used to uniquely identify a computer or device such as printers, storage disks on a computer network. There are currently two versions of IP addresses. IPv4 uses 32-bit numbers. Due to the massive growth of the internet, IPv6 has been developed, and it uses 128-bit numbers.
IPv4 addresses are formatted in four groups of numbers separated by dots. The minimum number is 0, and the maximum number is 255. An example of an IPv4 address looks like this;
127.0.0.1
IPv6 addresses are formatted in groups of six numbers separated by full colons. The group numbers are written as 4 hexadecimal digits. An example of an IPv6 address looks like this;
MAC Address is the acronym for media access control address. MAC addresses are used to uniquely identify network interfaces for communication at the physical layer of the network. MAC addresses are usually embedded into the network card.
A MAC address is like a serial number of a phone while the IP address is like the phone number.
Static ARP entries : these can be defined in the local ARP cache and the switch configured to ignore all auto ARP reply packets. The disadvantage of this method is, it’s difficult to maintain on large networks. IP/MAC address mapping has to be distributed to all the computers on the network.
These systems can be used to cross check the IP/MAC address resolution and certify them if they are authenticated. Uncertified IP/MAC address resolutions can then be blocked.
Operating System Security : this measure is dependent on the operating system been used. The following are the basic techniques used by various operating systems.
Linux based : these work by ignoring unsolicited ARP reply packets.
Microsoft Windows : the ARP cache behavior can be configured via the registry. The following list includes some of the software that can be used to protect networks against sniffing;
AntiARP : provides protection against both passive and active sniffing
Agnitum Outpost Firewall : provides protection against passive sniffing
XArp : provides protection against both passive and active sniffing
Mac OS : ArpGuard can be used to provide protection. It protects against both active and passive sniffing.
