What is a key characteristic of a MitM attack?

What is a key characteristic of a MitM attack?

• A. The attacker intercepts and controls the entire conversation.
• B. The attacker monitors data in transit but does not modify it.
• C. The attacker cannot access the data.
• D. The attacker performs only passive eavesdropping.

Answer: (A)

In a MitM attack, the attacker places themselves between the two parties so that all messages pass through them. This position lets the attacker do more than just listen—they can read, modify, or inject messages, effectively controlling the entire conversation while both endpoints think they’re talking directly to each other. That combination of interception and manipulation is what defines this attack. If the attacker only listens without altering data, or if they can’t access the traffic at all, it isn’t a MitM.

In a MitM attack, the attacker places themselves between the two parties so that all messages pass through them. This position lets the attacker do more than just listen—they can read, modify, or inject messages, effectively controlling the entire conversation while both endpoints think they’re talking directly to each other. That combination of interception and manipulation is what defines this attack. If the attacker only listens without altering data, or if they can’t access the traffic at all, it isn’t a MitM.