Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM)
An attack where the attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters communications between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other.
In a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, the attacker positions themselves between two communicating parties — for example, between your laptop and the website you are visiting. They can eavesdrop on the conversation, steal credentials, or even modify the data being exchanged. MITM attacks are particularly common on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks found in Malaysian shopping malls, airports, and cafes.
Public Wi-Fi Risk
Avoid accessing online banking or entering passwords on public Wi-Fi unless you are using a VPN. Look for HTTPS (padlock icon) in your browser — this encrypts the connection and prevents most MITM eavesdropping. If a website shows a certificate warning, do not proceed.