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MITM

A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a cybersecurity breach where an attacker intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties. Common types include Wi-Fi eavesdropping, SSL stripping, and session hijacking, which can lead to breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. Preventive measures include using encryption, strong authentication, and VPNs to safeguard against such attacks.

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24 views1 page

MITM

A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a cybersecurity breach where an attacker intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties. Common types include Wi-Fi eavesdropping, SSL stripping, and session hijacking, which can lead to breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. Preventive measures include using encryption, strong authentication, and VPNs to safeguard against such attacks.

Uploaded by

t79829829
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) Attack in Cybersecurity

What is MITM (Man-in-the-Middle)?


A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a cybersecurity breach where an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly
alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. The
attacker essentially "sits in the middle" of the data exchange.

How a MITM Attack Works


1. Interception: The attacker intercepts data traffic between a client (e.g., a user's browser) and a server (e.g., a
website).
2. Decryption (optional): If encryption is used, the attacker may attempt to decrypt the data using techniques
like SSL stripping or exploiting weak cryptographic standards.
3. Modification (optional): The attacker can alter the data before sending it to the intended recipient.
4. Relay: The attacker sends the data to the actual recipient, keeping the communication flowing to avoid
suspicion.

Common Types of MITM Attacks


 Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: On unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks, attackers intercept traffic using packet sniffing
tools.
 SSL Stripping: Downgrading HTTPS connections to HTTP to intercept plaintext data.
 Session Hijacking: Stealing session cookies to impersonate users.
 DNS Spoofing: Redirecting users to malicious websites by corrupting DNS responses.
 IP Spoofing: Pretending to be a trusted IP address to intercept communication.

Impact on Data Security


1. Confidentiality Breach: Sensitive information like passwords, personal data, and financial details can be
stolen.
2. Integrity Violation: Data can be altered without either party knowing (e.g., modifying payment details).
3. Authentication Compromise: Attackers can impersonate either side of the communication, leading to
unauthorized access.
4. Trust Erosion: Users may lose trust in online services if they fall victim to MITM attacks.

Preventive Measures
 Encryption (HTTPS/TLS): Ensures data is encrypted in transit.
 Strong Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) reduces the risk of credential misuse.
 VPNs: Encrypt traffic and reduce risk on public networks.
 Public Key Pinning: Prevents attackers from using fraudulent certificates.
 Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Detect anomalies in traffic patterns.

Conclusion
MITM attacks are a serious threat to data security. They exploit weaknesses in communication protocols, network
configurations, and user behavior. Strong encryption, secure network practices, and user awareness are critical
defenses against these attacks.

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