Client Risk Assessment in a Network: An Examination of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks and Their Usage
Sadaf Ul-Aaish, Ivan Miguel Pires, António Godinho, Paulo Jorge Coelho, Pinial Khan Butt · 2024
This research investigates the impact of Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks on network environments, mainly clients, due to a lack of advanced security measures. The study uses a Kali Linux network and a ticketing application to test data traffic and examine DNS spoofing, where the attacker alters the client's IP address and MAC address to the attacker's, disrupting data exchanges between the client and server. The findings highlight the ease with which hackers can monitor traffic and intercept data packets during client-server communication. The study also emphasizes the need for robust security protocols, especially with the increasing adoption of IoT devices. VLANs are necessary to protect these devices from potential attacks. Continuous improvement and innovation in cybersecurity measures are crucial for staying ahead of evolving threats. Implementing SSL services, using VPNs and HTTPS protocols, and maintaining up-to-date security patches and malware updates are essential for protecting network environments.