What is Middle man attack?
A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyber attack where a malicious actor secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. The attacker essentially “sits in the middle,” capturing data being exchanged, and can manipulate the communication without the knowledge of either party.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Interception: The attacker intercepts the communication, gaining access to sensitive information like login credentials, personal data, or financial details.
- Eavesdropping or Data Theft: They can simply observe the data being transmitted or steal it for later use.
- Manipulation: In some cases, the attacker can alter the communication, inject false information, or redirect transactions for malicious purposes.
Common methods of MITM attacks:
- Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: Attackers set up rogue Wi-Fi hotspots to intercept communications on unsecured networks.
- Session Hijacking: Attackers hijack active user sessions by stealing session cookies.
- DNS Spoofing: Attackers trick users into visiting malicious websites by altering DNS responses.
Preventive Measures:
- Use secure websites with HTTPS encryption.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive transactions.
- Implement strong authentication methods like two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Use VPNs to encrypt internet traffic.
MITM attacks are dangerous because they can go undetected, leading to significant data breaches or financial losses.