Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) is a type of cyber attack in which an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters communication between two parties who think they are talking directly to each other. Think of it as a spy who physically sits between two people who are talking, listens in on everything that is being said, and may even change messages before they reach the real recipient, without either party realizing it.
How does a Man-in-the-Middle attack work?
The basic principle is the interception of the data flow. Here are the general steps:
1.Communication Interception: the attacker places himself between the two communicating parties (for example, between you and a website, or between two computers on a local area network). This can be achieved by various methods:
- Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks: Classic opportunity. The attacker creates a fake Wi-Fi network (that looks legitimate) or exploits vulnerabilities in a real public network. Any traffic passing through that network can be intercepted.
- ARP Spoofing: In a local area network, the attacker convinces the router that he is your computer and your computer that he is the router. Thus, all traffic destined to the router from you (and vice versa) passes through the attacker’s computer.
- DNS Spoofing: The attacker can change DNS settings to redirect traffic from a legitimate website to a fake version of it, controlled by the attacker.
- Malware: Malicious software installed on your device can redirect internet traffic through the attacker’s servers.
2.Eavesdropping: Once the interception is established, the attacker can listen and record all the data that passes through his “channel”. This includes usernames, passwords, credit card details, private conversations and any other unencrypted information.
3.Alteration: In addition to simply eavesdropping, a Man-in-the-Middle attacker can alter data in transit. For example, they could change the details of a bank transaction or the instructions of a downloaded software program by injecting malicious code.
4.Impersonation: The attacker can act as one party, responding to messages and maintaining the illusion of direct communication, while collecting information or misleading the other party.
Why are Man-in-the-Middle attacks dangerous?
- Stealing sensitive data: Passwords, bank details, card numbers, personal information.
- Identity theft: By collecting information, the attacker can take control of your accounts.
- Financial fraud: Altering transactions to redirect money to the attacker’s accounts.
- Install malware: Inject malicious code into downloaded files or web pages.
- Privacy compromise: Any unencrypted communication can be read.
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