Despite browsers and networks generally having good security, man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks are still quite common. In fact, between 2022 and 2023 MitM attacks increased by 35%.
They’re dangerous because they let criminals steal your personal and financial information. If a MitM attack happens while you shop online or log into your email accounts, your financial information is at stake.
MitM attackers use various tricks to intercept your data. This includes targeting weak Wi-Fi networks, exploiting web vulnerabilities, or redirecting you to fake sites without you knowing. Once they take control of your online sessions, they can steal from you directly or sell your data on the dark web.
Read on to learn how MitM attacks work, how to spot them, and, most importantly, how to secure your data.

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What Are Man-in-the-Middle Attacks?
A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack is when a hacker intercepts two communicating devices. The MitM attacker places themselves between the sender and receiver. This way, they can eavesdrop, steal valuable information, or even alter the sent data.
MitM attacks occur in real-time, and the intercepted parties are usually unaware that their data is being compromised. Hackers can capture highly sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. With access to your private data, they can commit identity theft or steal directly from your accounts.
For example, imagine you’re connecting to public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop and logging into your bank account. An attacker could intercept your connection, capturing your login details as they pass through the network. Without realizing it, you’ve just handed over your banking credentials.
How Do Man-in-the-Middle Attacks Work?
In a MitM attack, hackers exploit security vulnerabilities to secretly position themselves between your device and the websites or services you’re accessing. Once they gain this position, they can monitor and manipulate all data exchanged in real-time. Here’s a clearer look at how this happens:
- Entry Point Creation: Hackers typically find an entry point by targeting insecure connections, such as public Wi-Fi networks, unencrypted websites, or vulnerable apps. For example, they may set up a rogue Wi-Fi network that appears legitimate, tricking users into connecting.
- Intercepting Data: Once connected, the attacker intercepts the data flowing between you and the intended service. You might think you’re securely accessing a website or app, but in reality, all your traffic is passing through the attacker first. This allows them to eavesdrop on sensitive information, like passwords, messages, or payment details.
- Data Manipulation: Beyond simply stealing data, a MitM attacker can manipulate the information being transmitted. This may involve redirecting you to fake websites that mimic legitimate ones, altering the content you see, or injecting malicious scripts into your session.
4 Common Ways Man-in-the-Middle Attacks Occur
MitM attacks often exploit various vulnerabilities to intercept and manipulate your data. Here’s how these attacks commonly happen:
Apps and browsers
Apps or browsers can have vulnerabilities, especially if they’re not updated or encrypted. Hackers target these weak spots to intercept sensitive data.
Unencrypted websites
Websites without SSL certificates don’t meet basic security standards to protect their visitor’s data from interception.
Compromised devices
If your device has malware or security vulnerabilities, hackers can use it as an entry point to launch an attack.
Public Wi-Fi
Hackers love to exploit insecure public Wi-Fi networks. This mostly happens in places like cafés, airports, and hotels. Places like this have open Wi-Fi networks where attackers can set up fake clone networks or exploit weak points to intercept your communication.
Most public Wi-FI networks lack encryption, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. You can protect yourself on public W-Fi with a VPN to encrypt your data and browse securely. CyberGhost VPN uses powerful encryption to prevent anyone from intercepting your web traffic.
6 Types of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Threat actors have several different ways to launch MitM attacks. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of man-in-the-middle attacks.
1. Wi-Fi Eavesdropping
Wi-Fi eavesdropping or “Wi-Fi sniffing,” is when hackers intercept data over a wireless network. They can then steal sensitive information like passwords, personal details, and financial data.
They use tools called “packet sniffers” to capture data traveling through the network. If the connection isn’t encrypted, they can easily read the information. Advanced attacks can intercept and manipulate communication between two parties without them knowing.
A common trick is setting up fake Wi-Fi networks, known as “evil twins,” which look like the legitimate version. Once you connect to these fake networks, hackers can spy on your online activity and steal your data. Tools called Wi-Fi Pineapples make it easy for cybercriminals to set up these rogue access points.
In some cases, malicious hackers can exploit devices that automatically reconnect to known networks. They do this by creating a malicious Wi-Fi network with the same name and mimicking other elements of the network.
Always be cautious when you connect to public Wi-Fi. Ask staff at cafes, hotels, and airports for the official Wi-Fi network name and details.
2. DNS Spoofing
Domain Name System (DNS) requests are essentially your search queries. They usually pass through your internet provider’s DNS server. This system translates website names to IP addresses. This helps computers know where to send and receive data. In DNS spoofing, hackers modify these translations to redirect your network traffic to sites or servers under their control.
Here’s what hackers can do with this type of attack:

- Redirect you to fake websites. Hackers can send you to phishing sites that look like real ones to steal your login details or financial information.
- Spread malware. They trick you into visiting websites that inject malicious packets of software into your device.
- Spy on your information. By acting as a middleman, hackers can intercept and read your sensitive data – usernames, passwords, and the like.
3. Session Hijacking
Session hijacking involves hackers taking control of communication sessions between two devices. They intercept and change the data exchanged.
Hackers use different tricks to hijack a session, like:
- Stealing session cookies. These are small pieces of data that websites use to keep you logged in.
- Exploiting weaknesses in communication. Hackers take advantage of flaws in how devices talk to each other.
- Phishing attacks or social engineering. They trick you into giving them your login details through phishing emails with malicious links or by impersonating trusted entities (like banks or other financial institutions).
When they control the session, they can wreak havoc; steal personal information, spread malware, or perform other harmful activities. These attacks are subtle and unnoticeable. It lets the hacker act as if they’re a legitimate user.
4. SSL Hijacking
Most websites have SSL certificates which lets you know it’s safe to visit. If you see a little slider or tuner icon, it means the site has an SSL cert. Most browsers will warn you if you’re about to click on a site without an SSL cert. Some browsers won’t even let you access it.
SSL hijacks can generate fake certificates for the domains you attempt to visit. You think your connection to the target site is secure. In reality, it’s a cloned or proxy site controlled by the attacker.
While man-in-the-middle attacks are usually a network-side security issue, SSL hijacking mostly affects websites and apps (because they use the HTTPS protocol). So in this case, the MitM attack is a web or app security issue.
5. SSL Stripping
Hackers downgrade your connection from a secure (HTTPS) site to an unsecured (HTTP) site without you knowing. HTTPS sites encrypt your data to protect it from cyber crooks.
But with SSL stripping, the hacker intercepts your connection and forces it to switch to HTTP – which doesn’t encrypt your data. This lets the hacker steal your personal info.
The worst part? You probably won’t notice the switch, so you’ll think you’re on a secure site when you’re not.
6. ARP Spoofing
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) helps computers match IP addresses to physical MAC addresses. ARP spoofing is a type of attack where the bad actor sends fake ARP messages to redirect traffic to their own device. Once they’re in the middle, the hacker can intercept sensitive data.
Signs of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
MitM attacks often happen behind the scenes, so they’re difficult to detect. However, here are a few red flags that could signal you’re being targeted:
Strange URLs or Website Behavior
If the URL looks off (even a slight misspelling) or the web page doesn’t behave as you expect, you might be on a spoofed site.
Repeated Logouts
If you keep getting logged out of websites for no apparent reason, it could indicate your session has been hijacked.
Browser Security Warnings
If your browser warns you that a site’s SSL certificate is invalid or the site is not secure, be cautious. Avoid entering any personal information on that page.
Unusual Network Behavior
If your internet connection slows down a lot or behaves erratically, it could mean your traffic is being intercepted.
How to Prevent Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

MitM attacks can be harmful. Luckily, you can follow a few simple steps to protect your personal information and online security.
Let’s break down how you can stop these attacks:
1. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities
Public Wi-Fi networks in coffee shops or airports are prime targets for MitM attacks. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, avoid logging sensitive or personal info like bank account or card details. It’s also worth using a VPN to protect your traffic.
2. Keep Software Updated
Outdated software can have security holes that hackers can exploit to launch attacks. It’s one of the top ways they gain an entry point. It’s good practice to update your apps, browsers, and operating systems often. This patches security gaps or bugs discovered by professional security teams.
3. Check for HTTPS

Before entering sensitive information on a website, double-check if the URL starts with “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP.” The “S” means the connection is secure and encrypted. Look for the tuner or slider symbol (where the padlock used to be) in your browser’s address bar.
This is a quick way to verify the site is encrypted. If you don’t see HTTPS in the URL or the slider icon, it’s best not to enter any personal details.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds extra protection to your online accounts. Even if a hacker gets your password, they still need a second step to access your account. This is usually a text or notification on your mobile device.
This extra step makes it tougher for malicious actors to hijack your sessions or steal your data. However, MitM attackers have ways to undermine this 2FA.
5. Use a VPN
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic which makes it difficult for anyone to intercept your data. As we’ve mentioned, this is most important when you use public Wi-Fi. A VPN reroutes your data through secure VPN servers to protect your data even on unsecured networks.
CyberGhost VPN uses strong encryption to safeguard your data while you use the web. Encrypting your internet traffic stops cybercriminals from intercepting it and causing you trouble. You can protect up to 7 devices simultaneously with a single CyberGhost VPN subscription and even try it on our 45-day money-back guarantee.
FAQ
A Man-in-the-Middle attack is when a hacker intercepts digital communication between two devices. This lets them eavesdrop, steal sensitive information, or even modify sent data. MitM attacks often target vulnerable Wi-Fi networks, web browsers, or apps. This makes it possible for them to get your passwords and other personal information without your knowledge.
MitM attacks can be hard to detect, but some signs include:
- Unusual URLs or slight misspellings of websites.
- Browser warnings about unsecured connections.
- Repeated logouts from websites without explanation.
- Slow or erratic network behavior.
Yes, MitM attacks are still possible and happen frequently. Despite typically strong ISP and browser security, studies saw a 35% increase in MitM attacks between 2022 and 2023. They mostly occur on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks or through outdated with poor or no encryption.
Even with modern security measures like HTTPS, hackers can use SSL stripping or session hijacking. That’s why it’s important to use security tools like VPNs and update your software to stay safe.
Another name for a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack is monster-in-the-middle, machine-in-the-middle, monkey-in-the-middle, or man-in-the-browser. The man-in-the-browser attack is the most common. In this type, hackers infect a victim’s web browser with malware to steal or change data. This lets them secretly control your communication or information, making it a dangerous and hard-to-detect attack.
Leave a comment
hrkeyes@aol.com
Posted on 17/06/2021 at 13:41
I want details regarding an add blocker ,malware?. It seems my account VPN does not have a ADD blocker.
Dana Vioreanu
Posted on 18/06/2021 at 12:45
Hi there! Thanks for reading and for reaching out to us!
On Android and iOS mobile devices, you can block ads, but this feature is not always foolproof. Apple and Google still rely a lot on the advertising business, and it makes it tricky to enforce a foolproof blocking ads feature. But we are working on improving it.
More about ad-blocker on Android:
https://support.cyberghostvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006574213-How-to-use-connection-features-with-CyberGhost-VPN-for-Android
On Mac, for instance, you can enhance privacy settings to block ads:
https://support.cyberghostvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021003560-How-to-use-the-advanced-features-from-CyberGhost-VPN-8-on-macOS
Yet, a secure VPN connection protects you from MiTM attacks:
https://support.cyberghostvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/214387505-How-will-keys-for-a-secure-VPN-connection-be-created-
And using a VPN every time you connect to an open, public Wi-Fi:
https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/wifi-vpn
Hope this answers your question. Thanks again for stopping by and hope you’ll visit Privacy Hub again!