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Man-In-The-Middle

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyberattack where an attacker secretly intercepts and modifies the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.

The attacker can eavesdrop, alter, or redirect the messages or data, without the knowledge or consent of the original parties.

The goal of a man-in-the-middle attack is to steal sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details, or to manipulate the communication for malicious purposes, such as fraud, identity theft, or sabotage

Different types of MITM

• Email hijacking: The attacker gains access to the email accounts of a trusted entity, such as a bank, a company, or a friend, and monitors or impersonates the communication with the intended recipient. The attacker may send fake or modified emails to trick the recipient into revealing confidential information or transferring money to a fraudulent account.
• Wi-Fi eavesdropping: The attacker sets up a fake or compromised Wi-Fi network in a public place, such as a coffee shop, an airport, or a library, and lures unsuspecting users to connect to it. The attacker can then spy on the online activities of the users, such as browsing, emailing, or shopping, and capture their data or credentials.
• IP spoofing: The attacker modifies the IP packets of a network communication to make it appear as if they are coming from a trusted source, such as a server, a router, or a device. The attacker can then bypass security measures, such as firewalls or authentication protocols, and access or disrupt the network or the system.
• DNS spoofing: The attacker alters the DNS records of a domain name server to redirect the users who request a certain website to a fake or malicious website that looks similar to the original one. The attacker can then collect the users’ information or infect their devices with malware.
• Session hijacking: The attacker exploits a vulnerability in a web application or a network protocol to take over an active session between a user and a website. The attacker can then access the user’s account, perform unauthorized actions, or steal the user’s data.

Some statistics on Man-In-The-Middle attacks are

• Man-in-the-middle attacks surged by 30% in 2021, compared to 2020. This was partly due to the increased use of remote work and public Wi-Fi networks during the Covid-19 pandemic, which created more opportunities for hackers to intercept and tamper with online communications
• The most common types of man-in-the-middle attacks in 2021 were email hijacking, Wi-Fi eavesdropping, IP spoofing, DNS spoofing, and session hijacking2. These types of attacks can target different layers of the network or the application, and use different methods to trick or compromise the users or the systems.
• The most targeted industries by man-in-the-middle attacks in 2021 were education, government, and healthcare1. These industries often deal with sensitive or confidential information, such as student records, citizen data, or patient records, which can be valuable for hackers or cybercriminals.
• The average cost of a man-in-the-middle attack for a business was $2.6 million in 2021. This includes the direct and indirect costs of the attack, such as data loss, system downtime, reputation damage, legal fees, and remediation expenses.
• The most common attack vectors for man-in-the-middle attacks in 2021 were websites (35%), email (32%), and removable media (9%). These are the channels that hackers use to deliver or execute their attacks, such as sending malicious links or attachments, creating fake or compromised websites, or infecting USB drives or other devices.

What can you do

• Use a reputable antivirus program on your devices and keep it updated. Antivirus software can help to detect and block man-in-the-middle attacks
• Only use trusted Wi-Fi networks and avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. You can also use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your online activity from hackers
• Check the spelling and the domain extension of the website you are visiting, and look for a valid security certificate. You can check this by looking for a padlock icon and https:// at the beginning of the URL
• Be careful when downloading anything from the internet, especially from unknown or untrusted sources. You can use a search engine or a bookmark to find the website you want to visit, instead of typing the URL directly into the browser.
• Be wary of opening or downloading attachments or clicking on links in emails, text messages, or social media posts. These may be phishing attempts that try to lure you into a man-in-the-middle attack. Always verify the sender and the source of the message, and do not provide any personal or financial information on the website