What does a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack commonly utilize?

A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack typically utilizes packet sniffing to capture unencrypted data. During this type of attack, the perpetrator intercepts communication between two parties without their knowledge, allowing the attacker to read, modify, or manipulate the data being exchanged. Packet sniffing refers to the technique used by the attacker to monitor and capture network packets as they flow between the legitimate users. If the data transmitted is unencrypted, it can be easily accessed and exploited by the attacker.

In contrast, firewalls, encryption, and secure protocols are methods used to enhance network security and protect against such attacks. Firewalls can block unauthorized access but do not prevent MITM attacks directly. Encryption protects data in transit, making it unreadable to unauthorized parties, thereby reducing the effectiveness of a MITM attack. Secure protocols, like HTTPS or SSL/TLS, establish secure communication channels and ensure data integrity, further mitigating the risk of interception. However, in the context of an MITM attack, the attacker often capitalizes on moments when data is unprotected or when secure connections are improperly configured.