Which attack involves a user intercepting communication between a computer and the internet?

The attack known as a Man in the Middle (MitM) involves an intermediary intercepting and potentially altering the communication between two parties, such as a user and a server on the internet. This allows the attacker to eavesdrop on the data being transmitted, or even manipulate the communication without either party being aware, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

MitM attacks typically exploit vulnerabilities in network protocols or insecure Wi-Fi connections. This makes it imperative for users to implement measures like encryption (e.g., using HTTPS) and secure connections to protect their data from such attacks. The nature of this attack highlights the critical importance of securing communication channels against unauthorized access and manipulation.

The other options describe different types of cyber threats or issues that do not involve intercepting communication in the manner of a Man in the Middle attack. For example, Ping Flood refers to a Denial of Service attack aimed at overwhelming the target with traffic, while Ransomware involves malware that encrypts a user's data and demands a ransom for decryption. A Programming Error typically points to flaws in code that can lead to vulnerabilities but does not specifically address the interception of communications.