Fingerprinting in cybersecurity refers to the process of collecting and analyzing unique characteristics or attributes of a device, system, software, network, or user to create a distinctive digital profile—known as a “fingerprint”—that can be used for identification, tracking, and security purposes.
Active Fingerprinting involves direct interaction with the target system, such as sending probes or packets and analyzing the responses. This method is highly accurate but can be detected by intrusion detection systems. Passive Fingerprinting involves monitoring and analyzing existing network traffic without direct interaction. This approach is stealthier but may provide less detailed information.