Definition
A tampering attack involves the harmful modification of data. Attackers can alter data to compromise its integrity, aiming to interrupt functionality or achieve other malicious advantages. This attack can target data in transit or stored on a device or system.
Tampering Attack Examples
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks: This occurs when a malicious actor interrupts and tweaks the transmission between two parties without their knowledge.
- Data corruption: A malicious user can manipulate data in a system to cause system crashes or erroneous output.
Differences and Similarities with Other Sorts of Attacks
The distinction is in an objective outcome, where tampering attacks focus on changing existing information, whereas injection aims to introduce novel data. On the other hand, tampering attacks are similar to injection attacks in that they inject malicious data into the system.
Pros and Cons of Tampering Attacks
Pros
- Disruption: Data tampering may interrupt operations and result in an operational or financial loss for the victim.
- Unauthorized gain: Tweaking data may result in unauthorized benefits, including altering financial transaction values.
Cons
- Consequences: The attacker may face severe legal repercussions if tracked.
- Traceability: Most systems have solid tracing, making tampering attacks detectable.
Preventing Tampering Attacks
- Employ strong encryption methods for data in rest and transit.
- Utilize a trustworthy VPN, such as ExtremeVPN, to ensure secure and dependable data transmission.
- Implement data integrity checks to prevent information exploitation.