A raw socket is a type of network socket that allows direct communication between an application and an external source, reducing overhead on the network. However, it is vulnerable to TCP attacks, leading some operating systems to retire support for it. The benefits of raw sockets have also diminished with improvements in technology, making standard network sockets a safer choice.
A network socket is an endpoint for exchanging data on a network. Think of a socket as a physical address: information that passes through the computer network is routed to a specific socket in the computer itself. A rawsocket is a type of network socket that allows a software application on your computer to send and get packets of information over the network without using your computer’s operating system as an intermediary. In other words, it allows a program to communicate directly with an external source without the intervention of the computer’s primary operating system.
The main benefit of using raw socket network management is that it eliminates the middleman. Because the operating system doesn’t handle data specifically, it reduces the overhead on the network, saving CPU (Central Processing Unit) cycles and reducing stress on system hardware. A raw socket provides a fast tunnel between an application and an external source. Neither your operating system nor any other program on your computer has the ability to interfere with a raw connection.
Raw socket network interfaces have one drawback. although. Hackers commonly use rawsocket connections to stage Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) attacks on a network. During a TCP attack, a hacker sends a forged bit of data to the network over a raw socket connection. This forged data contains a reset signal for the TCP connection, which in turn interrupts and blocks current network connections on your computer.
For this reason, some operating systems have retired support for raw sockets. The reason for this is that it can help ensure network security. Software companies can limit users’ ability to use raw sockets by employing what’s called a “hotfix,” a permanent operating system update. These updates have not had a significant negative impact on the user experience, because the benefits of raw sockets have diminished as the technology has improved.
For modern computers, the amount of additional processing required to handle normal socket connections over raw sockets is so minimal as to be largely irrelevant. With modern processors available in dual-, quad-, and even six-core varieties, the chances of ordinary network socket connections crashing your computer are negligible. For this reason, unless there is a specific justification for using a rawsocket connection over a standard network socket, the risk posed by hackers and TCP attacks on the network outweighs any benefits.
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