What does the term "sniffing" refer to in network context?

In the context of networking, "sniffing" refers specifically to the practice of snooping on traffic that is flowing over a network. This involves intercepting and capturing data packets as they travel across the network. Network sniffing is often utilized by security professionals to analyze traffic for performance, to troubleshoot issues, or to ensure that the data being transmitted is secure. However, it can also be misused by malicious actors to eavesdrop on communication or collect sensitive information from unprotected networks.

The practice is akin to observing conversations or activities taking place without the knowledge of the parties involved, which aligns with the definition provided in the correct answer. Other options do not accurately capture the specific meaning of the term within the networking realm. Collecting data for analysis is broader and does not specifically denote the act of intercepting network traffic. Using software to enhance signal strength refers to a completely different function related to improving network performance. Monitoring network speeds, while relevant to network management, does not imply any unauthorized interception of data. Thus, the focus on traffic snooping is what accurately represents the concept of sniffing in this context.