Digital Eavesdropping: Everything to Know About Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Every day, there is a new breed of cybersecurity breaches. Threat actors get more clever yearly, as they find new ways to dig into the most well-defended technologies. Staying on top of recent threats is an opportunity to get inside their heads and mitigate losses as much as possible. A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack is not new, but they are rising in frequency again. What are these, and how can corporations and individuals identify and prevent them?

What Is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

In simple terms, an MitM attack is when the threat eavesdrops in digital spaces to extract information. The attacker manipulates and controls the exchange or conversation to get the data they need. 

Much like a person could overhear you saying your password to a family member at a restaurant from a nearby booth, a hacker could grab credentials from a program or communication medium on a device or online. They can also go by these names but may imply the use of specific tactics or interception mediums:

• Man-in-the-browser
• Machine-in-the-middle
• Monster-in-the-middle
• Monkey-in-the-middle

Therefore, the threat situates themselves between the person they want to target and their software or application. Then, they simulate a reliable exchange of data, whether that be through an instant message, chatbot or login screen. Consider an accountant accessing their favorite bookkeeping platform, inputting critical business information and credit card numbers, and it all gets swiped by a hacker.

An MitM is an attack of its own variety, but it can also lead to other types of cyberthreats, such as advanced persistent threats (APTs) or social engineering. These could be long- or short-term threats, where hackers plant themselves in an organization or digital space to pull as much data as possible. Overcoming cybersecurity defenses is the most challenging aspect of any attack, so if cybercriminals penetrate barriers successfully, they may not want to leave.

How Does a Man-in-the-Middle Attack Happen?

An MitM attack does not have as many steps as other forms of data extraction. The technique has several phases. The hacker has to start the conversation. 

Data Interception

The first phase is data interception. As mentioned, obtaining access to the victim is sometimes challenging. However, it could be as easy as enticing phone users to connect to unprotected Wi-Fi in a public space or hotel. Threat actors intercept connections by finding insecure networks. 

Then, they hijack it and wait for the victim to log-in to it, too. After the hacker detects the target’s activity, they lead them to a copy of their desired destination, much like a phishing attempt. The victim freely inputs information, handing it away to the “man in the middle.” It can happen over any of these avenues:

• IPs
• Website domains
• Emails
• Wi-Fi connections
• Cache poisoning
• HTTPS or SSL protocol spoofing

Decryption

The second phase is decryption. This is when the attacker unencrypts the data they extricated so they can use it for their agenda. They have to do this without being caught. There are several ways to achieve this, such as falsifying protocol certificates or demoting an HTTPS connection to an HTTP variant.

How Can You Stay Protected Against These Attacks?

Companies and individuals can be subject to an MitM attack. How do you stay protected if you can’t tell it’s even happening?

Only Connect to Secure Locations

Don’t be tempted by an open hotspot that doesn’t require a password. No matter how good it feels to save precious data, these are the prime spots for MitM attacks to occur. This is particularly important for remote workers and those using employer-owned machinery. 

The same advice applies when connecting to websites. Oftentimes, browsers warn users when they enter websites with minimal security in place. View these at your own risk, and if you accidentally fall into somewhere with questionable credentials, log out of the session immediately.

Stay Educated

Do you know how to detect phishing emails? Are you familiar with what a fake domain address can look like? These signals, which help identify other types of cyberattacks, are helpful when noticing signs of an MitM onslaught. Stay alert, because many of the mimics look eerily similar to an authorized source. 

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPNs encrypt internet connections to keep everything from IP addresses to passwords as hidden as possible. A hacker could theoretically get into a VPN network, but getting to the decryption stage is infinitely more challenging. Corporations should have VPNs through which their employees can access the internet, and regular internet users can find many services that provide this functionality at home.

Use Passwordless or Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

MFA is a cybersecurity staple, making it harder for criminals to access sensitive data because they need entry into multiple points to truly intercept. Biometrics and other passwordless methods make these walls even sturdier because the hacker can’t validate identities. 

Use Antimalware Tactics

At its core, MitM attacks are malware-initiated. Therefore, software and strategies that prevent malware-based attacks will make MitM defenses even stronger. 

What Is a Famous Example of a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

The most infamous instance of a MitM attack happened at Equifax, one of the leading credit bureaus. In 2017, a MitM attack was the cause behind 143 million people having their data stolen. This included driver’s license information, social security numbers and more. 

Their open-source web application, Apache Struts, was the point attackers intercepted. The secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate was out of date, which was in charge of decrypting inbound and outbound network information. The moment the IT team installed an updated version, they were notified of suspicious activity.

The response included an emergency patch to the system after Equifax detected the intrusion. However, the damage was done to the system and the corporation’s reputation. 

A Man-in-the-Middle Attack Could Happen Anytime

An MitM attack may occur whenever any connection is made. Though the finance and health care industry has a lot to offer with high-value data, e-commerce platforms and social platforms are also prime targets. Using recommended cybersecurity hygiene and only connected to trustworthy sources is the best way to prevent this from happening on an individual and corporate level.