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

A Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM) is a type of cyber attack in which an attacker intercepts communication between two parties by compromising a trusted system. The attacker inserts themselves into the conversation and can intercept sensitive information such as intellectual property or fiduciary data. In some cases, MITM attackers will use malware to create zombie machines or build vast networks of compromised systems. These types of attacks can also be used as a way to gain access into a system to execute more sophisticated attacks, such as advanced persistent threats (APTs).
raven with headphones on telephone wire

Unfortunately, organizations are often unaware that their data has been tampered with until it is too late. If a MITM attack is successful, the organization may experience negative brand perception, reduced customer confidence, and ultimately a damaged bottom line.

Here are some common types of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks and how they work:

  1. Email Hijacking: Attackers gain access to a user’s email account and monitor the messages being sent and received. When the time is right, such as during a financial transaction, the attacker attempts to intercept the funds by impersonating one or more of the participants in the conversation.
  2. Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: This passive method of executing a MITM attack involves hackers setting up public Wi-Fi connections with an unsuspecting name. Victims who connect to these malicious Wi-Fi networks unknowingly grant attackers access to their devices.
  3. Session Hijacking: In this type of attack, an attacker gains access to an online session by stealing a session key or browser cookies.
  4. DNS Spoofing:  Attackers alter the address record for a website within a DNS (domain name server) server. Victims who visit the fake site are then vulnerable to having their information stolen by the attacker.
  5. IP Spoofing : This attack involves diverting traffic to a fraudulent website by disguising an IP (internet protocol) address. Unlike DNS spoofing, the attacker does not alter the website’s address record.

To prevent Man-in-the-Middle Attacks, organizations can take the following steps:

  1. Implement a comprehensive Email Security Solution: An email security solution is an essential tool in an organization’s security architecture, which helps minimize the risks associated with MITM attacks. It proactively secures email activity, allowing staff to focus their efforts elsewhere.
  2. Implement a Web Security Solution: A strong web security tool provides visibility to web traffic generated by both the system and end user at protocol and port layers. This implementation protects an organization’s web traffic so that the security team can cover more ground.
  3. Educate Employees: Training that is relevant to the employee is key to training effectiveness. An organization can prepare its workforce for advanced attacks by educating them on the dynamics, patterns, and frequency of MITM attack methods used by other organizations. Case studies can be a valuable resource when putting together educational materials and awareness programs.
  4. Keep Credentials Secure: Checking user credentials often and ensuring that passwords are secure, complex, and updated every three months at a minimum can aid in an organization’s protection by keeping credentials fresh and more difficult to crack.
  5. Implement two factor authentication with Smart Cards.

At link22, we have years of experience in cybersecurity and have developed solutions to protect critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and vital systems. If you have any questions or would like a demo, we would be happy to chat and share more information.

Conny Ljungqvist - CEO

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