Credential Stuffing

by Michael M. Ralph Cybersecurity/Legal Business Services

Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is a type of cyberattack where hackers take large lists of stolen username and password combinations—often obtained from previous data breaches—and use automated tools to try them across multiple websites or services. The goal is to gain unauthorized access to accounts, assuming that many people reuse the same passwords across different sites.

Here’s a breakdown:

How it works:

1. Data Breach Collection: Attackers obtain leaked credentials from one compromised site.

2. Automated Login Attempts: Using bots, they try these credentials on other platforms (email, banking, social media, etc.).

3. Account Takeover: If the username/password matches on a new site, the attacker gains access.

Why it’s effective:

• Many users reuse passwords across multiple accounts.

• Automation allows attackers to try millions of credentials quickly.

• Often, sites may not have strong protections against repeated login attempts.

Consequences:

• Unauthorized transactions or theft of sensitive data.

• Identity theft.

• Reputational damage for companies if accounts are compromised.

Prevention measures:

• Use unique passwords for each account.

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

• Monitor login attempts and implement rate-limiting.

• Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords.

• Detect suspicious login activity with anomaly detection.

  
  

Thank you for reading.