Man in the Middle Attack (MITM) Definition:
A Man in the Middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyber attack where an attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties without their knowledge. This allows the attacker to eavesdrop on or manipulate data, often with the goal of stealing sensitive information like login credentials or financial data.
What is Man in the Middle Attack (MITM)?
In a MITM attack, the attacker positions themselves between the communicating parties, such as a user and a website, making both believe they are directly connected to each other. By intercepting the traffic, the attacker can monitor or modify the communication in real time, potentially changing data or capturing confidential information.
Why is Man in the Middle Attack (MITM) important?
The purpose of a MITM attack is typically to steal sensitive information or impersonate one of the parties in the communication. These attacks pose a serious threat, particularly in financial transactions, online shopping, and communications involving personal data, where trust and data integrity are essential.
How does Man in the Middle Attack (MITM) work?
MITM attacks can be executed through methods like ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) spoofing, DNS (Domain Name System) spoofing, or rogue Wi-Fi networks. Attackers may set up fake networks or manipulate local network settings to intercept data. The intercepted data is then used or altered before being forwarded to the intended destination, often without either party’s awareness.
Man in the Middle Attack (MITM) Examples:
Examples of MITM attacks include intercepting communications between a user and their bank's website by redirecting them to a malicious site, or capturing login credentials by setting up a rogue Wi-Fi hotspot in a public place. Phishing can also facilitate MITM attacks by directing users to a fake site where data is intercepted.
Man in the Middle Attack (MITM) Issues:
MITM attacks can be challenging to detect since they Exploit trusted connections. To mitigate the risks, organisations should use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) for encrypted communications, employ VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for secure remote access, and educate users about avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. Enforcing strong Encryption and multi-factor Authentication (MFA) also helps prevent MITM attacks.
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