Tech Term: What is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

For those of you who are fans of American football, you are familiar with the interception. When your team’s quarterback throws a pass that ends up in the other team's possession, it can be one of the most frustrating plays for a fan. Let’s discuss the man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack, which is effectively a hacker intercepting data as it is passed from one person to another. Let’s get into it. 

What is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

Imagine you're sending a message to a friend online. Normally, your message travels directly from your device to your friend's. However, in a MitM attack, a malicious actor positions themselves between you and your friend, intercepting the data and possibly altering the messages without either party's knowledge.

How Does it Work?

How a MitM attack works involves three key players: you, the hacker, sitting in wait to intercept your communication, and the intended recipient, who is none the wiser. Let’s look at some of the things that can come as a result of a MitM attack:

• Data interception - The attacker inserts themselves into the communication channel between you and the recipient. This could be achieved through various means, such as exploiting vulnerabilities in network infrastructure or tricking users into connecting to rogue Wi-Fi networks.
• Eavesdropping - With access to the communication stream, the attacker can eavesdrop on the exchanged data. This could include personal messages, login credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data transmitted over the network.
• Manipulation - Not content with merely observing, the attacker may manipulate the data between you and the recipient. This could involve injecting malicious code, altering the content of messages, or redirecting traffic to malicious websites, all while masquerading as a trusted entity.

Real-World Implications

The ramifications of a successful MitM attack can be severe, ranging from identity theft and financial fraud to espionage and data breaches. An attacker intercepting your login credentials to online banking can be a virtual nightmare for anyone.

How to Stop a MitM Attack

Preventing MitM attacks requires conscientious action. You’ll need to use the security technology that encompasses both technological measures and user awareness. They include:

• Encryption - Implementing end-to-end encryption ensures that the data remains indecipherable to unauthorized parties even if intercepted.
• Certificate validation -: Verifying the authenticity of digital certificates always helps prevent attackers from impersonating legitimate websites or services.
• Secure connections - Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) connections adds an extra layer of protection by encrypting data transmitted over the network.
• User training -  Educating users about the risks of connecting to unsecured networks and practicing good cyber hygiene, like avoiding clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown files, can help.

At BNMC, we prioritize cybersecurity by comprehensively understanding threats and how to meet them head-on. If you would like to learn more about man-in-the-middle attacks, give us a call at (978) 482-2020.