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> how/why you're able to intercept HTTP requests or w/e is happening.

Basically, in a typical LAN, you think the server is communicating directly with you alone, but in fact it's broadcasting to everyone. Your NIC and OS just happen try not to receive it.

Buy the book Violent Python. It is exactly what you need, and is available on kindle.

Definitely going to check this out, thanks!

Usually if you have a normal ethernet switch/WiFi your TCP packets end up going to everyone.

Endpoints only self-choose to listen to stuff addressed to them.

That's the major difference between hubs and switches.

As a generalisation: hubs just push everything received from one port out to all ports.

Switches are cleverer in that they only direct the right traffic (that may include broadcast traffic) to all ports.

Of course, there are cheap 'switches' that are nothing more than hubs.