On-Path Attack Definition

An “on-path attack” occurs when an attacker waits on a known digital path after understanding an individual’s or their system’s patterns, intercepting and manipulating online traffic. Imagine sending a private message to a friend through a series of relays. An on-path attacker is like a mischievous messenger who intercepts the note, reads its contents, maybe even alters the message, and then passes it along as if nothing happened.

How an On-Path Attack Works

In the digital realm, your data travels through various routers and servers to its destination. An on-path attacker takes advantage of this journey by surreptitiously inserting themselves into this data flow. They can eavesdrop on your communications, steal sensitive information like passwords or credit card details, or even modify your sending or receiving data. Here are various ways in which an on-path attack is carried out:

• Using social engineering to trick the victim into installing malware on their device
• Using a rogue wireless access point
• Compromising a router or switch on the network

Common on-path attacks include some of the following:

• Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks
• DNS spoofing attacks
• SSL stripping attacks

How to Avoid On-Path Attacks

An on-path attack undermines the confidentiality and integrity of digital communications, posing a significant security risk. This concept underscores the importance of robust encryption and security measures to guard against these stealthy manipulations along the information superhighway. Below are steps you can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to on-path attacks:

• Update software: Keep your web browser and operating system up to date, as this protects your data and network against known cyber vulnerabilities.
• Protect yourself: Use a security solution, including web filtering and malware protection, that prevents malicious activity from infecting your computer.
• VPN usage: A VPN, or virtual private network, is an extensible authentication protocol that encrypts a user’s IP address to protect their data, such as browsing information and location.