A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack is a form of cyberattack where a malicious actor intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. The attacker can eavesdrop, manipulate, or impersonate one or both sides of the conversation.
How a MitM Attack Works:
1. Interception: The attacker positions themselves between the two communicating parties. This can happen over unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi or through vulnerabilities in protocols.
2. Decryption: In cases where communication is encrypted (e.g., HTTPS), the attacker may decrypt the traffic, read it, and even alter it.
3. Alteration: The attacker can modify the data being transmitted, potentially injecting malicious code, altering transactions, or redirecting users to malicious websites.
4. Impersonation: The attacker can also impersonate one of the communicating parties, tricking the other party into divulging sensitive information (e.g., login credentials or financial data).
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Common Types of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks:
1. Packet Sniffing: Intercepting unencrypted network traffic to capture sensitive data like usernames, passwords, or credit card details.
2. Session Hijacking: Taking control of an active session (such as a logged-in user) to gain unauthorized access to accounts.
3. SSL Stripping: Downgrading a secure HTTPS connection to an unencrypted HTTP one, allowing the attacker to monitor or alter communication.
4. DNS Spoofing (Cache Poisoning): Redirecting a victim to a malicious website by tampering with the DNS records.
5. Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: Attacker sets up an unsecured public Wi-Fi network and monitors all traffic that connects to it.
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Mitigation Measures Against MitM Attacks:
1. Use HTTPS: Always ensure that websites use HTTPS instead of HTTP. This encrypts the data, making it much harder for attackers to intercept or alter the communication.
2. SSL/TLS Certificates: Use SSL/TLS certificates to ensure the authenticity of a website. This helps prevent attackers from impersonating legitimate sites.
3. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Use certificates to validate communication and authenticate the parties involved.
4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions: Refrain from logging into sensitive accounts or conducting financial transactions over unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi.
5. Use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): VPNs encrypt internet traffic, making it harder for attackers to intercept communication.
6. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if login credentials are intercepted, attackers will still need an additional form of verification (e.g., a one-time password) to access accounts.
7. DNSSEC: Implement DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) to prevent DNS spoofing by ensuring that DNS responses are authentic.
8. HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security): Enforces the use of HTTPS by ensuring browsers only connect to servers over encrypted connections.
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Signs of a MitM Attack:
- Unexpected SSL/TLS certificate warnings or errors when visiting websites.
- Suspicious redirects to unfamiliar websites.
- Performance degradation or delays in network communications.
- Changes in website behavior that seem unusual or untrusted.
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