What is a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, and how does it allow attackers to intercept and alter data between a user and a website? Learn the mechanics and risks of MITM attacks—essential for CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
An attacker intercepts communications between a user and a website, modifying the data in transit. What type of attack is this?
A. Denial-of-service attack
B. Phishing attack
C. Buffer overflow attack
D. Man-in-the-middle attack
E. Dictionary attack
Answer
D. Man-in-the-middle attack
Explanation
A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when an attacker intercepts and alters communication between two parties.
When an attacker intercepts communications between a user and a website and modifies the data in transit, this is known as a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack.
A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when an attacker secretly positions themselves between two communicating parties—such as a user and a website—without their knowledge. The attacker can eavesdrop on, intercept, and alter the data being exchanged.
MITM attacks exploit vulnerabilities in network protocols, unsecured Wi-Fi, or compromised devices to gain access to the communication channel. Once in the middle, the attacker can:
- Steal sensitive information like login credentials, financial data, or session cookies.
- Modify messages or inject malicious data, such as redirecting users to fake websites or altering transactions.
- Relay communications so both parties believe they are communicating directly, while the attacker controls the conversation and data flow.
Common techniques for MITM attacks include ARP poisoning, DNS spoofing, packet sniffing, and SSL stripping.
The attack is dangerous because it can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of communications, often without detection by the victims.
A man-in-the-middle attack involves intercepting and potentially altering communications between two parties, enabling attackers to steal or manipulate sensitive information in transit.
CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam and earn CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification.