What does eavesdropping refer to in the context of cybersecurity?

Eavesdropping in the context of cybersecurity specifically pertains to the act of listening to private communications without permission. It involves intercepting data or conversations that are meant to be confidential, either through unauthorized software, hardware, or techniques that capture the transmission of information over networks. This can include listening in on phone calls, capturing emails, or monitoring chat messages.

In this scenario, eavesdropping emphasizes the unauthorized interception of communication, which is a key issue in cybersecurity as it threatens the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. This behavior is fundamentally a breach of privacy and can lead to data breaches, identity theft, and other security vulnerabilities, as the information obtained can be misused by attackers.

The other choices represent different concepts in cybersecurity. Monitoring network traffic for analysis is somewhat related but involves permissible or legitimate analysis for security and performance rather than unauthorized interception. Interfering with data transmission refers to actions that disrupt or manipulate communications, like man-in-the-middle attacks, rather than merely listening in. Unauthorized access to computer systems involves breaking into systems to access their contents or functions, which is a broader issue than just eavesdropping.