man in the browser

Many experienced Web users are aware of phishing scams, in which an unsuspecting user is directed to a fake Web site through a link in an e-mail or some other notification. A man in the browser attack, however, unlike phishing, occurs when the victim has entered the URL into the browser independently, without an external prompt. On the surface, transactions are taking place normally with expected prompts and password requirements.

A man in the browser attack is similar to the man in the middle tactic, in which an attacker intercepts messages in a public key exchange. The attacker then retransmits them, substituting bogus public keys for the requested ones. A man in the browser attack is more difficult to prevent and disinfect, however, because instead of occurring in a public exchange, the activity takes place between the user and the security mechanisms within that user's browser.

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More resources from around the web: - In this paper, Philipp Guhring explains man in the browser and suggests countermeasures. - Covelight Systems offers a solution that can protect computers against emerging attack forms.

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