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A passive monitor is a device that observes and measures but does not interfere with the operation of a system. It is typically used for network security and management, where it watches for suspicious activity without being detected. Passive monitors differ from active monitors in that the latter actively connect to a network device to gather information, potentially revealing its presence. Passive monitors are stealthier, as they simply listen to the data packets being transmitted, without injecting any data into the network. This makes them a favored tool for network administrators and security professionals who wish to analyze a network’s functioning and security without introducing any potential risks.