A "man-in-the-middle" (MITM) attack occurs when a malicious actor secretly intercepts and relays communication between two parties. This can happen in various scenarios, such as when a user connects to a public Wi-Fi network. The attacker can capture sensitive information, like passwords or credit card numbers, without either party being aware of the breach. To protect against MITM attacks, users should employ encryption methods, such as HTTPS for websites and VPNs for secure connections. Additionally, being cautious about public Wi-Fi and using strong, unique passwords can help reduce the risk of falling victim to such attacks.