Introduction to MITM technique and its application in carding

[Student]

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) is a classic cybersecurity attack in which an attacker (in this case, a carder, someone who steals and uses bank card data) secretly intrudes into communications between two parties without raising suspicion. This allows for interception, viewing, and even modification of transmitted data. In the context of unsecured Wi-Fi networks (e.g., in cafes, hotels, or public transportation), MITM is particularly effective, as such networks often have weak security or no encryption at all.

For educational purposes, I will walk through the attack step by step at a conceptual level, explaining the technical aspects, risks, and defenses. Please note: This information is intended solely for understanding the threats and raising cybersecurity awareness. Practical use of such techniques is illegal and may result in criminal prosecution. We will focus on general principles, without providing detailed implementation instructions.

Basic Concepts of a MITM Attack​

MITM works on the "proxy" principle: the attacker acts as an intermediary between the victim (the user) and the target (the server, such as a bank or online store website). In unsecured Wi-Fi networks, this is facilitated by the lack of strong encryption (e.g., WPA3) or its improper configuration.

• Why are Wi-Fi networks vulnerable? Public Wi-Fi networks are often open (without a password) or use outdated protocols like WEP or WPA, which are easily cracked. On these networks, data is transmitted unprotected, making it easy to sniff (eavesdrop) traffic. According to research (such as that from cybersecurity organizations like Kaspersky or Norton), approximately 25–30% of public Wi-Fi networks do not use adequate encryption, making them an ideal target for carders.
• The Role of Carders in the Cybercrime Ecosystem Carders are specialists in "carding," or collecting and monetizing card data. They often work in groups: some collect the data (through MITM or phishing), others verify its validity (through "checkers"), and still others sell it on the darknet. MITM is one method for collecting raw data, such as the card number, CVV, expiration date, and cardholder name.

Steps to Implement a MITM Attack on an Insecure Wi-Fi Network (Conceptual Overview)​

Let's break down the process at a high level, focusing on the logic rather than specific commands or scripts. This will help us understand how the attack evolved from simple methods in the 1990s to today's automated tools.

1. Preparation and Target Selection: The carder selects a high-traffic location: an airport, a cafe, or a conference. They use a portable device (such as a laptop or a specialized gadget like a Raspberry Pi) to create an "evil twin"—a fake Wi-Fi hotspot with a name similar to the legitimate one (e.g., "Starbucks_WiFi_Free" instead of "Starbucks_WiFi"). Educational aspect: This is based on the principle of social engineering. Users connect automatically if the device is configured to auto-connect. Statistics show that up to 60% of users do not verify network security before entering sensitive data (according to reports from Verizon DBIR).
2. Network-Level Traffic Interception When the victim connects, all of their internet traffic passes through the carder's device. If the connection is not secure (HTTP instead of HTTPS), the data is transmitted in cleartext. The carder can use techniques like ARP spoofing (Address Resolution Protocol spoofing), where they deceive the network by impersonating the victim's router or device. Technical breakdown: ARP is a protocol for mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network. Spoofing allows data packets to be redirected through the attacker. As a result, the carder sees all requests: from browsing websites to entering forms. If the victim enters card data on an unsecured site, it is directly intercepted. Example: The victim visits a store's website. The carder sees an HTTP request with POST data containing "card_number=1234567890123456&cvv=123".
3. Data Manipulation and Spoofing: More advanced attacks include DNS spoofing (Domain Name System spoofing), where the carder redirects requests to fake websites. For example, instead of bank.com, the victim is redirected to a fake website that appears identical (a phishing page). Educational aspect: This is due to vulnerabilities in the DNS protocol. If the network doesn't use DNSSEC (secure DNS), spoofing is easy. The carder can also use SSL stripping: forcibly downgrading HTTPS to HTTP, removing encryption. Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox) combat this by displaying warnings, but not all users pay attention.
4. Data Analysis and Extraction: Intercepted packets are analyzed in real time. The carder looks for patterns: 16-digit card numbers (using the Luhn validation algorithm), CVV (3-4 digits), and other details. If the data is encrypted, the attack may involve "MITM at the TLS level"—certificate substitution—but this is more difficult in modern systems with HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security). Technical Analysis: Analysis tools (such as network analyzers) allow you to filter traffic by keywords like "credit_card" or "payment." For educational purposes: study the OSI model—MITM typically operates at layers 2-4 (Data Link, Network, Transport).
5. Automation and toolsCarders use ready-made frameworks to simplify:
   • Traffic sniffers: Programs that capture packets on the network.
   • MITM-proxy: Tools for transparent interception.
   • Specialized devices: Portable gadgets that automate evil twins and spoofing. Educational aspect: Such tools are available as open source for penetration testers (ethical hackers), but their use without permission is illegal. Historical examples: the attack on the Black Hat conference in the 2010s, where hackers demonstrated MITM on public Wi-Fi.
6. Monetization and risks for carders: The obtained data is verified for validity (via bots or services) and sold on forums like Joker's Stash (closed in 2021, but similar sites exist). A single "dump" (a set of card data) can cost between $5 and $100. However, carders run risks: traffic can be tracked and devices confiscated.

Historical and statistical context​

• The evolution of MITM: The technique has been known since the 1980s (in telephone systems), but it became popular in Wi-Fi in the 2000s with the growth of wireless networks. According to FBI and Europol reports, MITM is involved in 10-15% of card data theft cases.
• Statistics: In 2024–2025 (based on trends), carding incidents are expected to increase by 20% due to the post-pandemic rise in online shopping. Organizations such as OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) classify MITM as a top-10 threat.

Methods of protection (educational focus)​

To minimize risks, it is important to understand prevention:

1. Use a VPN: Encrypts all traffic, making MITM attacks useless (recommended: OpenVPN or WireGuard).
2. Check HTTPS: Look for the "lock" in your browser; avoid sites without it for payments.
3. Disable auto-connection: In your device settings, disable connections to open networks.
4. Two-factor authentication (2FA): Even if data is stolen, 2FA (SMS, app) blocks access.
5. Update your software: Modern operating systems (iOS, Android) have built-in protection against evil twins.
6. Use mobile internet: Instead of Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.
7. Education: Read resources from CERT or NIST on cybersecurity.

In conclusion, understanding MITM helps develop digital hygiene skills. If you're studying IT security, I recommend courses on Coursera or books like "Hacking: The Art of Exploitation" for an ethical approach. If you need clarification on specific aspects, please ask!