Active Attacks Vs Passive Attacks

Active Attacks	Passive Attacks
Active attacks are based on the modification of the original message in some manner or creation of false message.	In passive attacks, the attacker indulges in eavesdropping or monitoring of data transmission.
The contents of original message are modified.	There is no modification to the contents of an original message.
The attacker needs to gain the physical control of the media.	The attacker needs to observe the conversation.
These attacks are relatively easier to detect.	These attacks are harder to detect.
These attacks cannot be prevented easily.	These attacks can be prevented by encryption of data.
There are four types of active attacks- Masquerade Replay Modification of message Denial of service	There are two types of passive attacks- Release of message content Traffic analysis