Final answer:
Limiting factors in packet capturing include not having the network interface in the correct mode, software restrictions such as anti-malware blocking capturing processes, encryption making captured data unreadable, and lacking access to the traffic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that would limit your ability to capture packets include:
- Network interface not being in promiscuous or monitor mode: To capture all traffic passing through the network, the network interface card needs to be in promiscuous or monitor mode. Otherwise, it will only capture packets addressed to it.
- Anti-malware software: This software may restrict packet capturing capabilities as it might consider such actions as suspicious or part of a potential security threat.
- Encryption: Encrypted traffic cannot be easily interpreted even if captured. This is because the content is scrambled, making it incomprehensible without the appropriate decryption keys.
- Access to the traffic in question: Physical or logical access to the network segment or the traffic of interest is crucial for packet capturing. If you don't have access, you can't capture the data.