Main password theft tecniques and how to prevent them

One of the main goals of cybercriminals is to obtain the passwords and access credentials of companies' private systems to launch their cyberattacks. With an employee's account credentials, a cybercriminal can gain access to private company information, such as customer, supplier, and employee data, financial information, bank details, and other confidential and sensitive documentation. If this information becomes public, it could cause significant harm to the targeted company.

In this context, where cybercrime is increasingly prevalent, it is essential to understand and stay informed about the main techniques cybercriminals use to steal passwords and access credentials.

Cyberattacks for password theft

• Phishing and its variants. In these attacks, the cybercriminal poses as a seemingly legitimate person or entity to request private information. Through emails, text messages, or phone calls, attackers attempt to persuade the victim to provide their access credentials.
• Brute force attacks. Cybercriminals attempt to guess a user's password by trying different combinations of words and numbers until they find the correct one. It might seem unlikely for them to succeed, but if the password is not long or complex enough, the cybercriminals will eventually crack it.
  
  
• Keyloggers: This is a type of malware that records the keys pressed by a user. This allows the attacker to determine which keys the user presses when attempting to log in to a specific website.
  
  
• Man-in-the-Middle: The cybercriminal intercepts communications between two parties who have shared access credentials for the system they want to access. This is why it is essential to use shared password managers that are protected against such interceptions.

How can we prevent password theft?

Using strong and secure passwords

Using passwords that are difficult to crack or guess through the brute force attacks mentioned earlier. To ensure a password is secure, it should meet the following requirements:

• It should contain at least 12 characters.
• It should combine lowercase letters, uppercase letters, and special characters.
• Avoid using personal information, such as your name, date of birth, or the names of family members or pets.
• Avoid common passwords like '12345,' 'password,' or 'qwerty.'
• Use phrases or random word combinations, such as 'SunDogRainBlue23#'.

2FA Authenticator

As we explained in the previous post, multi-factor authentication (2FA) is a double verification process used when logging into a system. It is typically verified through an SMS sent to the linked phone number or via an email.

Password manager

By using a password manager, there is no need to memorize multiple complex passwords, as you only need to remember one master password. Additionally, password managers can help you detect and update weak or repeated passwords.

Change your password frequently

Renewing your passwords regularly is a recommended practice to protect the security of your accounts. Change your passwords every few months, especially for sensitive accounts like email and online banking. If a password is compromised in a data breach, changing it immediately can prevent unauthorized access.

Password theft is a threat that causes thousands of cyberattacks each year worldwide. Companies must implement measures to protect their employees' credentials and the access keys to their systems.