Description: The ‘Man in the Middle’ (MitM) attack is a type of cyber attack where an attacker intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other. This type of attack can occur in various forms, such as on public Wi-Fi networks, where an attacker can position themselves between the user and the access point, or in encrypted communications, where the attacker can decrypt and modify the transmitted data. The nature of the MitM attack lies in its ability to deceive the involved parties, making them believe they are in a secure and direct connection when, in fact, they are being manipulated. Attackers can steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, banking data, or personal information, and can even inject malware into the communications. Preventing these attacks involves using robust security protocols, such as HTTPS, and implementing authentication and identity verification measures. In the context of cybersecurity and penetration testing, professionals use various tools and techniques to simulate MitM attacks in order to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks, helping organizations strengthen their security.
