What is SSL Stripping Attack? Risks and Prevention: Explained

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SSL stripping is a cyberattack that undermines the secure HTTPS connections that many websites rely on to keep their data safe. By manipulating the connection between a user's browser and a website, attackers can force that connection to switch from secure HTTPS to insecure HTTP, allowing them to intercept and read sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details.

This article explains what SSL revocation is, the technical process behind it, and how to protect yourself from this common cybersecurity risk.

Table of contents

What is SSL Stripping?
Technical Mechanics of SSL Stripping
Risks and Consequences of SSL Stripping
How to Detect SSL Stripping
Preventing SSL Stripping Attacks
Common Misconceptions About SSL Stripping
What is SSL Stripping?
SSL stripping , also known as an HTTPS downgrade mobile app development service attack , is a cyberattack technique that allows attackers to force a secure HTTPS connection to be downgraded to an insecure HTTP connection. This attack targets the initial connection between a user and a website, where the attacker intercepts the communication and modifies it so that the browser cannot use the HTTPS protocol .

How SSL Stripping Attacks Work
When a user attempts to access a secure HTTPS site, their browser typically looks for a security certificate for that site to ensure a secure connection. Removing SSL interferes with this process, forcing the site to load over HTTP. This means that data sent between the browser and the site is no longer encrypted and is vulnerable to interception.




In practice, this type of attack often occurs over public Wi-Fi networks or other unsecured connections where attackers can intercept requests between a user’s device and a website. For example, if a user logs into their bank or e-commerce site, an attacker using SSL stripping could intercept their login details and other sensitive information.

SSL Stripping vs. Other Attacks
SSL stripping is often confused with other attacks such as man -in-the-middle (MITM) attacks or SSL spoofing . While MITM attacks involve intercepting the communication between two parties, SSL stripping specifically aims to downgrade HTTPS-HTTP. SSL spoofing, on the other hand, tricks users into believing they are connecting to a legitimate site when in fact they are on a fraudulent site. SSL stripping is unique in that it does not replace the legitimate site, but simply downgrades the connection.

SSL stripping is a powerful attack method because many users do not pay attention to whether a site is running on HTTPS or HTTP. By exploiting this common oversight, attackers can gain access to sensitive data in transit.