Multiple choice technology security

Man-in-the-middle attack means

  1. The attacker intercepts a message or data transfer between the sender and the receiver

  2. The attacker impersonates an authorized user or service in order to gain access to your system

  3. Both 1 & 2

  4. None of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack specifically involves an attacker secretly intercepting and possibly altering communications between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. Option B describes impersonation/spoofing, not MITM. Option C is incorrect because MITM doesn't involve the attacker pretending to be an authorized user - it's about positioning between the sender and receiver.

AI explanation

To answer this question, we need to understand what a man-in-the-middle attack is.

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyber attack where an attacker intercepts a message or data transfer between the sender and the receiver. The attacker positions themselves between the sender and the receiver, allowing them to eavesdrop on the communication and potentially modify or manipulate the data being transmitted.

Option A) The attacker intercepts a message or data transfer between the sender and the receiver - This option is correct. As explained above, a man-in-the-middle attack involves intercepting the communication between the sender and the receiver.

Option B) The attacker impersonates an authorized user or service in order to gain access to your system - This option is incorrect. While impersonation can be a part of a man-in-the-middle attack, it does not necessarily mean that the attacker gains access to the system.

Option C) Both 1 & 2 - This option is incorrect. Option 2 is not entirely accurate in describing a man-in-the-middle attack.

Option D) None of the above - This option is incorrect. Option A correctly describes a man-in-the-middle attack.

Therefore, the correct answer is A) The attacker intercepts a message or data transfer between the sender and the receiver.