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What is Man In The Middle Attack?

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyberattack where the attacker intercepts and potentially modifies communications between two parties without their knowledge. The attacker essentially positions themselves between the two parties, acting as a "man in the middle," and can potentially alter the communication in some way. This can be done through various methods, such as by setting up a fake Wi-Fi network and convincing people to connect to it, or by intercepting and modifying traffic as it passes through a network. Man-in-the-middle attacks can be difficult to detect, as the two parties may not realize that their communication has been compromised. They can be used to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data, or to inject malicious code into a system.

How to Perform MITM Attack?

There are several ways to perform a man-in-the-middle attack, including the following:

  • ARP spoofing: This method involves manipulating the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) of a device on a network. The attacker sends fake ARP messages to other devices on the network, indicating that the attacker's device has the same IP address as the device the victim is trying to communicate. This allows the attacker to intercept and potentially modify the communication between the victim and the intended device.

  • DNS spoofing: This method involves manipulating the Domain Name System (DNS) of a device on a network. The attacker sends fake DNS responses to the victim's device, redirecting the victim to a different website than the one they intended to visit. This can be used to steal login credentials or other sensitive information.

  • WiFi eavesdropping: This method involves setting up a fake WiFi network and convincing people to connect to it. The attacker can then intercept and potentially modify the communication between the victim's device and the internet.

  • SSL striping: This method involves downgrading the secure HTTP (HTTPS) connection used by a website to an unencrypted HTTP connection. The attacker can then intercept and potentially modify the communication between the victim's device and the website.

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It's important to note that performing a man-in-the-middle attack is generally illegal and can result in significant legal consequences.

Tools used for MITM?

There are several tools that can be used to perform a man-in-the-middle attack, including the following:

Ettercap: This is a suite of tools that can be used to perform various types of man-in-the-middle attacks, including ARP spoofing and SSL striping.

Wireshark: This is a network protocol analyzer tool that can be used to intercept and analyze traffic on a network. It can be used to monitor and potentially modify communication between two parties.

SSLstrip: This is a tool that can be used to perform SSL stripping attacks. It downgrades HTTPS connections to HTTP, allowing the attacker to intercept and potentially modify the communication between two parties.

Bettercap: This is a tool that can be used to perform various types of man-in-the-middle attacks, including ARP spoofing and WiFi eavesdropping.

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It's important to note that using these tools to perform a man-in-the-middle attack is generally illegal and can result in significant legal consequences.

How To Save From MITM Attack?

There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from a man-in-the-middle attack, including the following:

  • Use a secure connection: Whenever possible, use a secure connection, such as HTTPS, to communicate with websites and other online services. This can help protect against SSL striping attacks.

  • Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can help protect against man-in-the-middle attacks by encrypting your internet connection and routing your traffic through a secure server.

Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.


  • Be cautious when connecting to public WiFi: Public WiFi networks can be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, so be cautious when connecting to them. Avoid accessing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information, over public WiFi.

  • Keep your software and devices up to date: Make sure to keep your operating system, software, and devices up to date with the latest security patches. This can help protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited in a man-in-the-middle attack.

  • Use a firewall: A firewall can help protect against man-in-the-middle attacks by blocking traffic from untrusted sources.


By following these steps, you can help protect yourself against man-in-the-middle attacks and other cyber threats.

The Requirement To Perform MITM Attack?

To perform a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack, an attacker typically needs to fulfill the following requirements:

Physical access to the network: In order to intercept and modify traffic, the attacker must have access to the network over which the communication is taking place. This can be achieved by physically connecting to the network, such as by connecting to a wired or wireless network, or by installing a device on the network, such as a rogue access point.

Network visibility: The attacker must be able to see the traffic that they want to intercept and modify. This can be achieved by placing themselves in a position on the network where they can see all of the traffic, such as by setting up a rogue access point or installing a sniffer on a network device.

Ability to modify traffic: The attacker must have the ability to modify the traffic that they intercept. This can be achieved through the use of various tools and techniques, such as packet injection or ARP spoofing.

Access to the targeted devices: In order to perform a MITM attack, the attacker must have access to the targeted devices, either directly or through a compromised device on the same network.

Ability to evade detection: To be successful, the attacker must be able to evade detection by the targeted devices and any security measures that are in place. This can be achieved through the use of various techniques, such as spoofing the IP address of the attacker's device or using encrypted communication channels.

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