What is a man-in-the-middle attack in a WLAN context?

In the context of a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), a man-in-the-middle attack refers to a situation where an attacker can intercept and manipulate the communication between two parties without their knowledge. The correct answer highlights the method through which this interception typically occurs, specifically by capturing mobile nodes (devices) through a stronger access point (AP) signal.

In this type of attack, the attacker sets up a rogue AP that broadcasts a stronger signal than the legitimate one. When users connect to this malicious AP, their traffic can be intercepted, allowing the attacker to potentially collect sensitive information or alter communications. This highlights the inherent vulnerabilities in WLANs, where the accessibility of wireless signals can be exploited by unauthorized individuals.

Understanding this method reinforces the importance of security measures in wireless networks, such as requiring authentication, using encryption protocols like WPA3, and ensuring users are aware of the signs of unauthorized access points to mitigate risks associated with man-in-the-middle attacks.