What does hijacking mean? Detailed explanation of the principle and common types of hijacking

with the rapid development of digitalization, the network has become the core carrier of people's work and life, but the accompanying cyber security threats are also emerging in an endless stream. Hijacking is one of the most hidden and harmful. Many users may have encountered the situation of jumping to unfamiliar pages when entering the correct URL, or being forced to insert irrelevant advertisements when browsing content. There is a high probability of hijacking behind this. This article will explain the concept definition, operating principle, common types and prevention methods for readers in an all-round way, and help you recognize the true face of such cyber threats.

What is hijacking in the network?

to understand all kinds of cyber security issues, we must first clarify the core definition of hijacking, which is not a single attack, but a general term for a class of malicious operations.

1, the core essence of hijacking

hijacking refers to attackers illegally intervening in normal network data transmission, user operation process or system operation by technical means, forcibly altering, intercepting or controlling the original content and path, in order to obtain benefits, spread malicious information or destroy normal services. Such behavior often bypasses normal security verification and directly interferes with the normal logic of network services.

2, the main harm of hijacking

hijacking covers user experience, information security and property security at multiple levels, such as forced jump to phishing sites resulting in theft of user account passwords, insertion of malicious advertisements affecting normal browsing, and even tampering with transaction data resulting in user property losses.

Second, the underlying operating principle of network hijacking

hijacking can be successfully implemented, it is inseparable from the use of network transmission or system operation vulnerabilities, and understanding its principle can prevent it from the root cause.

1, data interception and tampering principle

most hijacking is based on data interception logic, the attacker by controlling the network node or the use of unencrypted transmission vulnerabilities, in the data transmission process from the user end to the server, after intercepting the original data source packet tampering with the key content, and then the tampered data packet sent to the target end, so that the user or server mistakenly thought it was normal data interaction.

2, the principle of system vulnerability exploitation

part of the hijacking is the use of the user's system or software unrepaired vulnerabilities, such as browser plug-in vulnerabilities, operating system permissions vulnerabilities, attackers gain control of the system by implanting malicious code, and then tamper with browser configuration, modify DNS settings, to achieve hijacking of the user's operating path, such hijacking is often persistent, unless the malicious code is completely cleared otherwise difficult to recover.

What are the common types of network hijacking?

according to the different attack targets and implementation, hijacking can be divided into a variety of common types, each type of performance and harm have their own emphasis.

1, DNS hijacking

DNS hijacking is one of the most common types of hijacking, it by tampering with the DNS server resolution records, or modify the DNS configuration in the user's local device, when the user enters a normal URL, is incorrectly resolved to the attacker's preset malicious Internet Protocol Address, so jump to phishing sites or advertising pages, many public WiFi environment prone to such hijacking.

2, Internet traffic hijacking

Internet traffic hijacking is mainly aimed at data traffic in network transmission, attackers intercept normal traffic in backbone network nodes or user access nodes, force insertion of advertising codes, jump instructions or malicious scripts, users browse a web, watch videos, will be forced pop-up ads or jump to the specified page, such hijacking will greatly reduce the network experience.

3, browser hijacking

browser hijacking is mainly aimed at the user's browser software, attackers through malicious plug-ins, bundled software or phishing sites, tampering with the browser's homepage settings, default search engines, bookmarks and other content, users directly enter the malicious page when opening the browser, and even unable to modify the browser configuration normally, seriously affecting daily network use.

four, how to effectively prevent all kinds of network hijacking?

face a variety of hijacking threats, users can build protective barriers through various means to reduce the risk of hijacking.

1, strengthen network transmission security

preferentially choose HTTPS encryption protocol websites for browsing, the data transmission of such websites is encrypted, and it is difficult for attackers to intercept tampering; avoid sensitive operations in public WiFi environments without password verification, such as online payment, account login, if you need to use It can be used with regular VPN services to encrypt network connections.

2, do a good job in system and software protection

regularly update the operating system and browser version, timely repair known vulnerabilities; only download software and plug-ins from official channels to avoid installing bundled software of unknown origin; install regular security protection software, turn on real-time monitoring function, and timely kill malicious code that may lead to hijacking.

To sum up, hijacking is a type of cyber security threat with strong concealment and multiple hazards. From DNS resolution to browser operation, it may become the target of hijacking. By understanding the definition, principle and common types of hijacking, and cooperating with practical methods such as encrypted transmission and system protection, users can effectively improve their cyber security protection capabilities.