Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks are a class of network attacks where an attacker intercepts and possibly modifies communication between two parties without their knowledge. This type of attack can occur in various communication protocols, including email, web browsing, and instant messaging.
In a MitM attack, the attacker positions themselves between the victim and their intended communication target. This allows the attacker to intercept and potentially manipulate data flowing between the two parties. MitM attacks can lead to various consequences, including:
Data Interception: Attackers can capture sensitive data, such as login credentials or confidential information.
Data Manipulation: Malicious actors can modify data in transit, leading to data integrity issues.
Eavesdropping: Attackers can eavesdrop on private conversations or transactions.
MitM attacks can have severe implications:
Data Theft: Attackers can steal sensitive information transmitted over the network.
Data Tampering: Malicious actors can manipulate data, potentially causing financial losses or reputation damage.
Privacy Violation: These attacks compromise user privacy by eavesdropping on personal communications.
Mitigating MitM attacks involves:
Encryption: Use encryption protocols (e.g., HTTPS, VPNs) to secure data in transit.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Implement PKI to verify the authenticity of communication endpoints.
Certificate Validation: Ensure that certificates are properly validated to prevent impersonation.
Network Monitoring: Continuously monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
