Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which type of attack focuses on intercepting and altering the transmission of data in a network?

1. Man-in-the-middle attack

2. Denial of Service attack

3. SQL injection attack

4. Phishing attack

The correct answer is: Man-in-the-middle attack

A man-in-the-middle attack involves an attacker positioning themselves between two parties in a communication transaction, allowing them to intercept, read, and even alter the messages being transmitted. This type of attack typically targets unencrypted data exchanges over a network, making it possible for the attacker to manipulate the information without the knowledge of either party involved in the communication. The nature of this attack is particularly concerning in environments where sensitive data is transmitted, such as online banking or confidential communications. The attacker can exploit this position to gain critical information such as login credentials, financial details, or other sensitive data, thereby facilitating further malicious activities. In contrast, the other types of attacks mentioned do not involve the interception or alteration of transmitted data. Denial of Service attacks aim to disrupt the availability of a service rather than manipulate data in transit. SQL injection attacks target databases by inserting malicious SQL code to manipulate or extract data but do not involve data transmission interception. Phishing attacks are designed to trick individuals into revealing their personal information via deceptive emails or websites, rather than intercepting data communication.