What does the term 'active interception' specifically refer to?

Active interception specifically refers to the act of not only capturing data as it travels across a network but also altering that data before it reaches its intended destination. This technique is often employed by malicious actors who aim to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the communication. By modifying user traffic, the attacker can inject malicious payloads, manipulate messages, or alter commands, which can have severe consequences for both users and systems involved in the transaction.

Capturing email communications typically falls under passive interception, where the data is observed but not altered. Examining packet headers is also a more passive activity, focused on analyzing the metadata of packets without necessarily engaging with the content itself. Logging network activity reflects a broader monitoring and analysis practice, which does not involve the active modification of data. Therefore, the essence of active interception lies in its capability to disrupt and manipulate data flows, which is why modifying user traffic is the correct interpretation.