In a previous article, we analyzed what exactly man-in-the-middle attacks are , how they work, how they are carried out, and how we can protect ourselves from them. Let's now look at the 7 most common types of man-in-the-middle attacks:
1. IP spoofing
Every device connected to the Internet has an IP address. It's like the address of your home. With IP spoofing, a hacker tricks users into thinking they're communicating with a website or someone they know, when in fact they're communicating with the attacker. This allows users to give out personal informationwithout knowing they're at risk.
2. DNS spoofing
DNS ( Domain Name Server) spoofing is a technique that redirects a user to a fake site, while the user believes that they are visiting the real one. The victim thinks that they are visiting a safe and trustworthy site, but in reality they are interacting with a fraudster. The goal of the attacker is either to influence the traffic of the real site or to steal the credentials .
3. HTTPS spoofing
As you probably already know, when you visit a site, you need to pay attention to the URL. For the site to be secure, the address should start with “HTTPS” and not “HTTP.” In fact, the S at the end stands for “secure.” However, hackers can trick browser your into thinking that you are visiting a legitimate and secure site. By redirecting you to fake sites, the attacker can monitor your interactions with that site and steal personal information that you share.
4. SSL hijacking
When your device connects to an insecure server, the server often automatically redirects you to its secure version. When you are connected to a secure server, your data is protected. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol that creates encrypted connections between the browser and the web server.
In SSL hijacking, the attacker uses another computer and secure server and monitors all information that passes between the server and the user's computer.
5. Email hijacking
Many times, criminals target email of banks and other financial institutions. Once they gain access to the accounts, hackers are able to monitor transactions between the bank and its customers. Attackers can hack into the bank’s email and send fake messages to customers. As a result, a customer may end up sending money to the hackers, thinking it is an instruction from the bank.
6. Fake Wi-Fi
Hackers can create Wi-Fithat appear legitimate. However, if a user connects to the fraudulent Wi-Fi, the attacker will be able to monitor the user's online activity. This will give them access to any information the user enters.
7. Stealing browser cookies
A browser cookie is a small piece of information that a site stores.
For example, an online store may store the personal information you enter and your shopping cart details so that you do not have to enter this information every time you visit the site.
A malicious hacker can compromise your browser's cookies. Since cookies store information, attackers can gain access to your passwords, as well as other sensitive information.
As you can see, there are many types of man-in-the-middle attacks, so we need to be very careful. Hackers are always finding new ways to attack.
