What is an Account Takeover (ATO)?

What is an Account Takeover (ATO)?#

Account takeover (ATO) is a cybercriminal activity where unauthorized users gain access to someone’s account and misuse the privileges. ATO can affect any account from banking to social media and involves the use of stolen or hacked credentials. The perpetrator, posing as the genuine user, can commit fraud, steal funds, or access sensitive information. This form of cyber attack is widespread and a significant threat to personal and corporate security.

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Account takeover attacks can originate from various methods including credential stuffing, phishing, or brute force attacks. These attacks exploit weak security practices such as reused passwords or inadequate authentication processes. Here’s a deeper look into the mechanics and implications:

How does account takeover work?#

Account takeover attacks exploit various vulnerabilities in personal and corporate security practices. Here's a detailed look at the common techniques used to execute account takeovers:

Credential Stuffing#

• Overview: Attackers use automated bots to test stolen credentials across multiple websites. This method is effective due to common password reuse across services. Read more in our article on credential stuffing.
• Prevention: Encourage unique passwords for different sites and implement rate limiting and CAPTCHA to slow down automated access attempts.

Phishing#

• Overview: Through decepting emails, SMS, or fake websites, attackers trick users into revealing their credentials. Phishing is highly effective and can be tailored to target specific individuals (spear phishing). Read more about phishing and spear phishing.
• Prevention: User education on recognizing phishing attempts and implementing email filtering technologies can reduce phishing success rates.

Brute Force Attack#

• Overview: Attackers use software to input countless combinations of usernames and passwords until they find a match. This method is often used against accounts with weak password policies. Read more here
• Prevention: Implement strong password policies that require a mix of characters, and limit login attempts to prevent unlimited guessing.

Malware and Spyware#

• Overview: Malicious software is installed on a user's device to steal credentials directly, often through keylogging or redirecting users to malicious sites.
• Prevention: Use reputable antivirus software, keep systems up-to-date, and educate users on safe browsing practices.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks#

• Overview: By intercepting communication between a user and a service, attackers can capture credentials as they are transmitted. This attack is common on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, read more about it here.
• Prevention: Encourage the use of VPNs and ensure websites use HTTPS to secure data in transit.

Session Hijacking#

• Overview: Attackers exploit valid computer sessions to gain unauthorized access to information or services in a computer system.
• Prevention: Use session management best practices like HTTPS, secure cookies, and timeout features for sessions.

SIM Swapping#

• Overview: Attackers manipulate mobile network providers to assign a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card, gaining access to SMS-based two-factor authentication.
• Prevention: Advocate for authentication methods beyond SMS, such as app-based or hardware token multi-factor authentication.

Dangers of Account Takeovers#

• Financial Theft: Direct stealing of funds from bank or online payment accounts.
• Identity Theft: Using stolen personal information for further fraudulent activities.
• Data Breach: Access and export of personal or corporate data, leading to significant security and privacy violations.

Account takeovers not only lead to immediate losses but can also facilitate larger-scale security breaches, making them a critical focus for cybersecurity efforts.

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Account Takeover FAQs#

What is account takeover?#

• Account takeover involves unauthorized access to online accounts by cybercriminals using stolen credentials, leading to potential theft and fraud.

How does account takeover work?#

• It often begins with obtaining user credentials through methods like phishing, malware, or credential stuffing. Once obtained, these credentials are used to breach accounts, especially those lacking robust multi-factor authentication.

What can be done to prevent account takeovers?#

• Employ strong, unique passwords for different accounts.
• Activate multi-factor authentication and use passkeys where possible.
• Regular monitoring of account activities for any unauthorized actions.
• Educate users on recognizing and avoiding phishing attempts.