Cyberattacks are rising, and the numbers have multiplied significantly post-covid. Threat actors use various means to exploit systems, steal confidential information, and intercept data. Generally, the goal of these attacks is to make money or cause reputational, operational, and financial harm to a company.
You already know how dangerous malware is, but have you heard of a man-in-the-middle attack or MITM attack?
So, what is a man-in-the-middle attack? Find out how it works, the symptoms, preventive methods, and more below.
What is a Man in the Middle Attack?
Let’s dive in: What is a man-in-the-middle attack or MITM attack? Well, it’s a type of eavesdropping attack where a threat actor intercepts communications or data transfers between two parties. They technically insert themself in the ‘middle’ (hence the name ‘man in the middle’ ) and act as the legitimate party on both ends.
Hackers positioned in the middle can intercept, steal, or modify data, sabotage communications, and send participants malicious links and files.
How Does a Man in the Middle Attack (MITM) Work?
Generally, a man-in-the-middle attack works in two phases: Interception and decryption. Let’s dig deeper.
Interception
At the interception phase, bad actors enter a vulnerable system and intercept communications or transmitted data using malicious tools. They act as proxies between the victim (such as a banking user) and the other participant (such as the bank’s website), intercepting and stealing data like login credentials. By being in the middle, hackers receive confidential data from the sender and may modify or corrupt such data before passing it on to the receiver.
For man-in-the-middle attacks, wifi is a common gateway for interception. Some other common inception techniques include:
In IP spoofing, a hacker tampers with IP packets to impersonate a victim’s system. When a victim accesses a URL connected to that system, they’re redirected to the attacker’s website instead.
ARP stands for Address Resolution Protocol. In this common MITM attack method, threat actors use fake ARP messages to link their computers to victims’ legitimate IP addresses. This way, they obtain data sent to the host IP address.
- DNS Spoofing
DNS or Domain Name Server spoofing happens when a cybercriminal alters a DNS server to redirect a victim to a genuine-looking fake website. They enter and submit crucial information like email ids, passwords, phone numbers, etc, which is then stolen or exploited by hackers.
Decryption
Hackers then decrypt the stolen or intercepted data in a successful man-in-the-middle attack. This allows cybercriminals to sell or use the data for malicious reasons. Here are some common decryption methods.
- HTTPS Spoofing
When malicious actors trick your web browser into perceiving a fake website as legitimate, it’s referred to as HTTPS spoofing. In MITM attacks, your browser is manipulated to visit a fraudulent website where you share sensitive information.
- SSL Hijacking
SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer—a technology for internet connection security. When you visit an unsecured website indicated by HTTP in the URL, your server automatically takes you to a secure or HTTPS version.
In SSL hijacking, hackers use their computers and servers to intercept the changed route. This gives them access to sensitive data.
Example of MITM
In 2015, Superfish, an adware program, was found to scan SSL traffic and install fake certificates. The certificates allowed MITM criminals to intercept and secure incoming traffic.
Man in the Middle Attack Symptoms
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to train yourself and your employees about man-in-the-middle attack symptoms. This safeguards crucial information related to clients, stakeholders, campaigns, etc., which ultimately protects your company and brand image.
So, here are a few common man-in-the-middle attack symptoms:
Unexpected or Frequent Disconnections
With man-in-the-middle attacks, hackers often disconnect users to intercept usernames and passwords while they try to reconnect. So, if this happens frequently, it may be a bad sign.
Unfamiliar or Strange URLs in the Address Bar
Double-check the web address of a site. If the URL seems off, it could indicate DNS hijacking. Carefully check for any spelling errors—for example, using vv (two v’s) instead of W (the 23rd letter in the English alphabet).
HTTP URL
If a URL misses an ‘S’ in HTTPS, it’s a red flag. Any website without the HTTPS protocol has unencrypted data which cyberactors can easily intercept. This is why ‘S’ stands for ‘secure’.
How to Prevent Man in the Middle Attacks?
Well, knowing man-in-the-middle attack symptoms isn’t enough. You must be proactive to prevent such cyberattacks Want to know how? Keep reading; we’ve shared all the tips.
Don’t use Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks
Often Wi-Fi networks in public places aren’t secured with a password. So, avoid using them, especially for completing monetary transactions or sharing any sensitive information.
Use a VPN
VPN or a Virtual Private Network encrypts your online activity and prevents hackers from breaching it. Always use a VPN while using the internet in a public place.
This practice is a must if you’re a frequent traveler, as you’ll often connect with hotels, airports, and cafe Wi-Fi networks.
Log Out of Sensitive Websites
Always log out from websites and applications related to banking. Remember to log out from your email account when you’re done with your daily work too. This reduces the risk of hackers performing an MITM attack on your computer.
Maintain Good Password Habits
Never reuse the same password for other accounts. Also, it should be strong and unguessable (avoid using easily-guessed passwords like your dog’s name, birthplace, or favorite movie).
Use MFA
MFA stands for multi-factor authentication, a method in which users must provide two or more authentication factors to access an account.
Are MITM Attacks Common?
MITM attacks are prevalent in today’s digital landscape, but they’re not as common as phishing and ransomware attacks. Hackers usually execute such attacks for a specific purpose or as a part of a larger cyberattack.
Final Thoughts
Man in the middle attacks occur when hackers place themselves between two participants to access, steal, or modify communications or data transfers.. From IP, ARP, and DNS spoofing to SSL hijacking and HTTPS spoofing, MITM attacks can be devastating.
Use strong, unguessable passwords, get a VPN, and incorporate multi-factor authentication., Avoid using public networks for sensitive transactions too, and stay ahead of cyberattackers.
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