Cybercrime 101: What is a man-in-the-middle attack?

A man-in-the-middle attack is one of the many actions cybercriminals take when targeting people or corporations. The attack basically hijacks the communication between two parties and alters the information sent by either party. According to cybersecurity experts at Abaram Network Solutions, a man-in-the-middle attack can result in data theft, extortion, or even espionage.

Man-in-the-middle attacks can be done in several ways. Cybercriminals can spoof an IP address and fool you into thinking you are interacting with a legitimate website that collects your information like login credentials. They also do DNS spoofing where users are sent to legitimate looking websites by diverting traffic from real websites to a fake website that collects logins and credentials.

Some man-in-the-middle attacks require the cybercriminal to first infiltrate the user’s computer. They can do this by tricking the user into downloading and installing malware, or by gaining access to their computer or device through an unsecure Wi-Fi system. Once done, the cybercriminal can monitor their target and wait for an opportune moment to strike.

For example, if their target makes payments online, the cybercriminal can use keyloggers to know what PIN the victim used, as well as their login credentials. In a corporate setting, a man-in-the-middle attack could be used to change the account number of a payment being made by one company to another.

Cybersecurity experts at Abaram Network Solutions believe that this attack is one of the more sophisticated types of cyber espionage. This is why people should be vigilant in practicing cybersecurity ethics like not connecting to any public Wi-Fi system as well as refraining from going on unsecure websites.

For more than three decades, Abaram Network Solutions has operated in the billion-dollar high tech industry, backed by a large-scale inventory of server, storage, telecom, and networking products. For more insightful articles on cybersecurity, visit thisblog.