Man-in-the-middle (MitM) cyberattacks prey on the unaware. They are eavesdropping attacks that alter communication between two parties. The attacker controls the victims and their conversations.

This article will discuss MitM attacks with real-world examples.

MitM Attacks

MitM attacks intercept and alter communication between two parties in various ways. Common MitM attacks are:

Session Hijacking: An attacker hijacks a two-party session.

ARP Spoofing: ARP spoofing is a MitM attack that redirects traffic by forging ARP messages on a local network.

SSL Hijacking: SSL hijacking is a MitM attack that exploits SSL vulnerabilities to intercept encrypted communication.

DNS Spoofing: DNS spoofing is a MitM attack that redirects traffic by falsifying DNS information.

MitM attacks are simple but devastating. Attackers intercept communication between two parties by exploiting network protocol vulnerabilities or gaining network access. The attacker steals data, injects malware, or manipulates the conversation.

Example Occurrences of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

MitM attacks have been devastating to organizations and individuals. Here are some examples:

The 2010 Iran-Google Attack: The attacker intercepted communication between Google and Iranian users, stealing sensitive data and injecting malware.

The 2013 RSA Attack: The attacker stole sensitive information and compromised RSA’s network by intercepting employee communications.

The 2016 Democratic National Committee Hack: The attacker intercepted communication between the DNC and its employees, stealing sensitive information and compromising the US political process.

Man-in-the-Middle Attack Protection

MitM attacks are dangerous, but you can protect yourself with these steps:

Employ encryption where possible: communicate securely by encrypting.

SSL verification: Attackers may use fake SSL certificates. Implement SSL verification from trusted Certificate Authorities to void this deception.

Traffic tunneling: Secure your communication with a VPN.

System updates: Software updates fix vulnerabilities and prevent new threats.

Network monitoring: Be alert for suspicious network activity like a traffic spike or an introduction new device.

Multi-factor authentication: If an attacker steals your login information, a fingerprint or one-time code prevents them from accessing your account.

Finally, Man-in-the-Moment

These attacks are stealthy cyberattacks that harm people and businesses. Awareness, protection, and network monitoring can reduce MitM attack risk.