What is a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack?

A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a cyber attack where a hacker secretly intercepts and alters communication between two parties without them knowing. The attacker eavesdrops, steals sensitive data, or manipulates messages.

How Does a MITM Attack Work?

1. The attacker positions themselves between the victim and a legitimate service (e.g., a bank website or Wi-Fi network).
2. The victim unknowingly connects through the attacker, thinking it’s secure.
3. The attacker intercepts and modifies the communication, stealing login credentials, financial data, or injecting malware.

Common Types of MITM Attacks:

🔹 Wi-Fi Eavesdropping – Attackers create fake public Wi-Fi networks to intercept data.
🔹 Session Hijacking – Hackers steal session cookies to take over accounts.
🔹 DNS Spoofing – Redirects users to a malicious website instead of the real one.
🔹 HTTPS Stripping – Downgrades secure connections (HTTPS → HTTP) to steal data.
🔹 IP Spoofing – The attacker disguises their IP address to appear legitimate.

How to Prevent MITM Attacks:

✅ Avoid Public Wi-Fi or Use a VPN – Encrypts your internet traffic.
✅ Always Check for HTTPS – Secure websites use "https://" and a lock icon in the URL bar.
✅ Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Adds extra security beyond just passwords.
✅ Beware of Phishing Links – Attackers may trick you into fake login pages.
✅ Update Software & Firmware – Patches vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.
✅ Enable End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) – Ensures secure communication in apps like WhatsApp and Signal.