Session hijacking is a type of cyber attack that involves the theft or hijacking of an established session between a user and a web application or system. When a user logs into a web application or system, they are typically assigned a unique session ID, which is used to identify them for the duration of their session. Session hijacking occurs when an attacker is able to steal or manipulate this session ID in order to impersonate the user and gain access to their account or system.
There are several different
methods that can be used to carry out a session hijacking attack, including
packet sniffing, cross-site scripting, and social engineering. Packet sniffing
involves intercepting and monitoring network traffic in order to capture the
session ID, while cross-site scripting involves injecting malicious code into a
web page to steal the session ID. Social engineering involves tricking the user
into revealing their session ID, often through a phishing email or other form
of social manipulation.
Once the attacker has obtained
the session ID, they can use it to impersonate the user and gain access to
their account or system. This can allow them to view sensitive information,
make unauthorized transactions, or carry out other malicious activities.
To protect against session
hijacking, it is important to use strong passwords and enable two-factor
authentication, which requires the user to provide a second form of
identification, such as a code sent to their mobile device, in order to access
their account. It is also important to use HTTPS to encrypt communication
between the client and server, and to regularly monitor and review logs and
network traffic for signs of suspicious activity. Additionally, using security
tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and access
controls can help to protect against session hijacking attacks.
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