BGP hijacking can occur when someone redirects (reroutes) internet traffic to a different place by tricking the Border Gateway Protocol.
This malicious act can lead to data going where it shouldn't or disrupt internet services.
To execute BGP hijacking, an attacker needs access to the edge router, which is the highest router in the AS that connects a network to external networks like the internet.
BGP operates by exchanging routing information among peers (ASes), and this information is stored in routing tables.
BGP routers use this information to determine the best paths to reach destinations. BGP hijacking involves manipulating these routes to redirect internet traffic.
To defend against BGP hijacking, various techniques can be employed. For instance, monitoring traceroute patterns for abnormal changes can help detect potential hijacking attempts. Promptly notifying ISPs about such anomalies can also mitigate the impact of hijacking incidents.
Traceroute tools like "traceroute" on Linux or "tracert" on Windows can be used for monitoring and analysis purposes.
Summary:
- BGP hijacking reroutes internet traffic via Border Gateway Protocol manipulation, potentially causing data breaches or service disruptions.
- Attackers exploit access to edge routers, altering routing tables to divert traffic.
- Defenses include monitoring traceroute anomalies and promptly notifying ISPs to mitigate hijacking effects, using tools like "
traceroute" or "tracert" for monitoring.