What is a man-in-the-middle attack?

A man-in-the-middle attack refers to a situation where a third party intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. This type of attack is particularly dangerous because the attacker can eavesdrop on the communication, stealing sensitive information, or manipulate the data being transmitted.

In a typical scenario, the attacker positions themselves within the communication channel and may use various techniques such as session hijacking, email interception, or packet sniffing. This allows the attacker to gain access to confidential information like login credentials and personal details without the knowledge of the original communicating parties. Understanding this attack is crucial for implementing appropriate security measures, such as encryption, to protect the integrity and confidentiality of data in transit.