Answer:
Sniffing.
Explanation:
Data theft can be defined as a cyber attack which typically involves an unauthorized access to a user's data with the sole intention to use for fraudulent purposes or illegal operations. There are several methods used by cyber criminals or hackers to obtain user data and these includes DDOS attack, SQL injection, man in the middle, phishing, sniffing, etc.
Sniffing can be defined as a form of cyber attack in which a malicious user gains access to a private network with the intent of finding out what information is stored on the network.
A packet sniffer also known as a packet analyzer, is a computer software or hardware tool that can be used to intercept, log and analyze network traffic and data that passes through a digital network.
Basically, an unauthorized packet sniffer is used to steal user informations.
This ultimately implies that, sniffing typically involves monitoring and capturing internet traffic (data packets) that are transmitted through a private network in real-time by using a sniffing tool, which may either be a hardware or software.
In this scenario, a malicious user in an airport terminal seating area was able to connect wirelessly to a traveling employee's smartphone and downloaded her contact list. Thus, the type of attack that has taken place is referred to as sniffing.
