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What is Credential Stuffing?
Credential stuffing is a prevalent method utilized by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This form of cyber attack involves automated injection of sets of breached username-password pairs, called credentials, in order to fraudulently access user accounts. Such attacks are often successful given the prevalent user practice of reusing usernames and passwords across multiple platforms. This tactic capitalizes on the weak password habits of online users with the intent of gaining access to sensitive information for malicious intents such as identity theft, corporate espionage, or even more sinister online hacks.
Why Does Credential Stuffing Exist?
Credential stuffing exists primarily because of the increasing number of data breaches and the rampant practice of password reuse amongst internet users. Every year, billions of login credentials from various platforms are stolen and sold on the dark web. Cybercriminals utilize these sets of credentials with the hope that users have reused some of them which creates a gateway into unauthorized access. With a plethora of data available on dark web marketplaces for purchase, cybercriminals have easy access to the tools they need to conduct these attacks.
Who Needs to Be Aware of Credential Stuffing?
Since anyone with an online presence can fall victim to credential stuffing, it is especially crucial for businesses and individuals who store or access sensitive information online, such as financial information, to be wary. Businesses in particular, especially those operating in the cloud infrastructure, and using Software as a Service (SaaS), should embrace Identity Access Management (IAM) and permission management as part of their security strategy to combat credential stuffing attacks. This is especially crucial in an era where remote work is the norm where employees routinely access sensitive data outside of a traditional security perimeter.
Increasing Prevalence of Credential Stuffing
The incidences of credential stuffing are on the rise. According to the latest cybersecurity reports, it accounts for more than 90% of login attempts on many e-commerce websites. In a world increasingly relying on digital services, this growing threat isn't showing signs of slowing down.
In an attempt to combat these threats, organizations are employing a DevOps approach to cybersecurity. By integrating security measures as part of the development process rather than as an afterthought, businesses can respond rapidly to vulnerabilities and enhance their security posture against credential stuffing. Other measures such as enabling multifactor authentication, setting up alerts for unusual activity, and educating employees on the importance of unique passwords, can also be instrumental in curbing this menace.
