Carnivore - technical definition

A network analyzer used by the FBI that analyzes e-mail packets of suspected criminals. Officially known as DCS100, FBI agents bring Windows 2000 PCs with the Carnivore software installed into an ISP and plug them into a switch port. Carnivore was designed to capture all e-mail packets as they originated as well as be able to hone in on just the suspected user without reading packets from others. See network analyzer.