How to Identify And Prevent ARP Poisoning or Spoofing Attacks

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) acts as a vital bridge between the world of IP addresses and MAC addresses, allowing devices on local area networks to seek out each other's physical address based solely on their IP.

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) can also be defined as a communication protocol used to map a network layer address (such as an IP address) to a link-layer address (such as a MAC address).

What is ARP Spoofing or Poisoning?

ARP Poisoning, also known as ARP Spoofing, is a type of cyber attack where an attacker sends false ARP messages on a LAN. This allows the attacker to falsely associate their own MAC address with the IP address of another device on the network, allowing the attacker to intercept, modify or even block the network traffic intended for that device. If left unchecked, this could lead to stolen confidential information, disrupted services, or unrestricted access to networks & devices.

Threats of ARP Spoofing 

With a basic understanding of ARP Spoofing, it's easy to see why this malicious technique poses such an immense threat - not only can it put personal devices in harm’s way, but it could wreak havoc on entire organizations. The threats of ARP Spoofing are significant because it allows an attacker to intercept and manipulate network traffic, potentially stealing sensitive information or disrupting network services. 

Types of ARP Spoofing

The attacker can also use ARP Spoofing to launch a man-in-the-middle (MiTM) attack, denial of service (DoS) attack, or session hijacking.

How You Can Identify ARP Spoofing In Your Network

To identify an ARP Poisoning attack on your network, you should monitor network traffic for unusual ARP messages, check the ARP cache on devices to ensure that they match expected values, and use detection tools that can alert you to suspicious activity.

The aim of an ARP Poisoning attack is typically to intercept or disrupt network traffic, steal sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access to a device or network.

ARP Spoofing vs ARP Poisoning

ARP Spoofing and ARP Poisoning are often used interchangeably, but ARP Spoofing 

specifically refers to the practice of sending fake ARP messages to map an attacker's MAC address to the IP address of another device on the network.

How To Prevent ARP Spoofing Attacks

The good news is that there are several ways to protect yourself or your network from ARP Spoofing. Here are some best practices that you can follow:

• Use a Static ARP: A static ARP maps an IP address to a specific MAC address, making it more difficult for an attacker to send spoofed ARP messages.
• Use ARP Verification Tools: There are several tools available that can help you verify the ARP cache on your devices to ensure that they match the expected values.
• Use a VPN: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt network traffic, making it more difficult for an attacker to intercept or manipulate it.
• Set up Packet Filtering: Packet filtering can block suspicious ARP messages from reaching your devices.
• Monitor your Malware Monitoring Settings: Regularly check your malware monitoring settings and run spoofing attacks to test your network's security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ARP Spoofing is a serious threat to the security of your network. By understanding how it works and following best practices, you can protect yourself and your organization from this type of attack. If you suspect that your network has been compromised, it is important to take immediate action to remediate the situation and prevent further damage.