Man-in-the-middle attack

Man-in-the-middle attack (MITM) is a form of cybersecurity breach that allows an attacker to intercept and possibly alter the communication between two parties without their knowledge. This type of attack can target any form of digital communication, including but not limited to email exchanges, web browsing sessions, and secure connections to financial institutions.

Overview

In a man-in-the-middle attack, the attacker secretly relays and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. One example is active eavesdropping, where the attacker makes independent connections with the victims and relays messages between them, making them believe they are talking directly to each other over a private connection, when in fact the entire conversation is controlled by the attacker.

Techniques

Several techniques can be employed to carry out a man-in-the-middle attack, including:

• IP Spoofing: The attacker deceives the system into thinking the IP address is from a trusted source.
• DNS Spoofing: The attacker diverts the victim's traffic to a malicious site by corrupting the domain name system.
• SSL Hijacking: The attacker uses another computer and secure connection to intercept all the data passing between the server and the victim.
• Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: The attacker sets up a rogue Wi-Fi network or compromises an existing one to intercept the victim's data.

Prevention

Preventing man-in-the-middle attacks involves several strategies, including:

• Encryption: Using strong encryption protocols for data transmission can help protect against MITM attacks.
• Secure Connections: Ensuring websites use HTTPS and checking for valid security certificates.
• VPN: Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can provide a secure connection over the internet.
• Awareness: Being aware of the signs of MITM attacks and educating users on safe internet practices.

Impact

The impact of a man-in-the-middle attack can be significant, ranging from the breach of personal privacy to the loss of sensitive or proprietary information. Financial fraud, identity theft, and corporate espionage are common outcomes of successful MITM attacks.

See also

• Cybersecurity
• Encryption
• Virtual Private Network
• Identity theft

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  Diagram illustrating a man-in-the-middle attack