From shopping online to accessing your bank account, most of our important activities involve sharing sensitive information online. While cybersecurity measures have significantly advanced, cyber-criminals have also become smarter in the way they exploit vulnerabilities. One such attack that has become increasingly common is the man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.
In this article, we will explore what a man-in-the-middle attack is, how it works, the different types of man-in-the-middle attacks, and what you can do to protect yourself against them.
What is a man-in-the-middle attack?
A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyber-attack where a hacker intercepts the communication between two parties and pairs themselves as a middleman. The attacker can then steal, modify or manipulate sensitive information in a way that the parties involved are unaware of.
Imagine you are sending a message to your friend through a social media platform. In a man-in-the-middle attack, the attacker would intercept the communication before it reaches the server, which is responsible for delivering messages to the recipient. The attacker can then read, modify, or even delete the message before it reaches the intended recipient, and the recipient would have no idea that the message was tampered with.
How does a man-in-the-middle attack work?
A man-in-the-middle attack follows a simple process. There are three parties involved - the sender, the receiver and the attacker. The process involves the following steps:
Step 1: The attacker intercepts the connection between the sender and the receiver.
Step 2: The attacker receives information from both parties but keeps both parties unaware of the presence of the attacker.
Step 3: The attacker then manipulates the information according to their advantage and sends it to the receiver. Similarly, the attacker can manipulate information sent from the receiver to the sender.
Step 4: Once the attacker has gained access to sensitive information, they can use it to commit crimes like identity theft, stealing financial information, or selling the information to third parties for further exploitation.
What are the different types of man-in-the-middle attacks?
There are different variations of man-in-the-middle attacks, and it’s essential to know what they are.
1. Packet sniffing attack:
In this attack, the attacker monitors the communication between both parties by intercepting packets sent from the sender to the receiver. The attacker can then read the encrypted data and can access sensitive information, such as your login credentials, financial information, and more.
2. SSL Stripping:
In an SSL stripping attack, the attacker strips off the SSL security layer by redirecting the HTTPs request to HTTP requests. This makes it easier for the attacker to view the data transferred in plain text format.
3. DNS Spoofing:
In DNS spoofing, the attacker changes the IP address of the website you intended to visit by redirecting you to a fake website. The fake website looks identical to the original website, and this can lead you to unknowingly disclose your credentials.
4. Email Hijacking:
In an email hijacking attack, the attacker poses as a legitimate person and hijacks the email address of the sender or receiver. This allows the attacker to read and respond to the emails sent between the two parties, leading to fraudulent activities.
How can you protect yourself against man-in-the-middle attacks?
While man-in-the-middle attacks are difficult to detect and even harder to prevent, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
1. Use a VPN:
Using a VPN is an effective way to safeguard your online privacy and protect yourself against man-in-the-middle attacks. VPNs encrypt all your online traffic, preventing hackers from intercepting your communication and using it to exploit you.
2. Check for SSL Certificates:
Use websites that utilize SSL certificates. Look for the https:// in the website's address bar, as they indicate that the website uses encryption. Additionally, make sure that you trust the website and that you're not encountering an imposter site that is designed to look the same as the legitimate site.
3. Use OTP or Two-factor authentication:
OTP (One-time-password) or Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, making it difficult for hackers to gain access to your account. OTP requires a unique password every time you log in, making it difficult for the attacker to guess your password.
4. Keep your devices up to date:
Update your devices to ensure that your device’s OS is patched and that it does not have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Conclusion:
There has been a significant increase in man-in-the-middle attacks in recent years, affecting a wide-range of people and businesses. Cybercriminals are becoming savvier by the day, employing new and sophisticated tactics to compromise networks and steal sensitive information.
To protect yourself from MITM attacks, you should stay vigilant, use strong passwords, and implement security measures like VPNs, two-factor authentication, and SSL Certificates. All these measures combined will go a long way in securing your online transactions and keeping your sensitive data safe.
