A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack is a type of cyberattack where a malicious actor secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.

🕵️‍♂️ What Is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

Imagine you’re sending a letter to a friend, and someone intercepts it, reads it, changes the contents, and then sends it on to your friend—without either of you knowing. That’s the essence of a MitM attack in the digital world.

🔍 How It Works

Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps:

1. Interception

   • The attacker positions themselves between the victim and the intended recipient (e.g., a website or server).
   • This can happen on unsecured Wi-Fi networks, compromised routers, or through DNS spoofing.

2. Decryption (if needed)

   • If the communication is encrypted (like HTTPS), the attacker may use techniques like SSL stripping or fake certificates to decrypt the data.

3. Data Manipulation or Theft

   • The attacker can read, modify, or inject malicious content into the communication.
   • This could include stealing login credentials, injecting malware, or redirecting users to fake websites.

🧠 Common Types of MitM Attacks

🛡️ How to Protect Against MitM Attacks

• Use HTTPS: Always check for secure connections (padlock icon in browser).
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Or use a trusted VPN to encrypt your traffic.
• Keep Software Updated: Patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers exploit.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security.
• Use Strong Encryption: For emails, messages, and data transfers.