Account takeover (ATO) is a type of cyberattack where criminals gain unauthorized access to another individual’s online account, such as YouTube, Instagram, or any other online account, to steal personal information, commit fraud, or launch further attacks. ATOs can result in financial loss, identity theft, and significant breach of privacy for both individuals and organizations.
In this article, we’ll explore how ATO attacks work, who they impact, and how to identify them. And, of course, we’ll go through some good online practices you can adopt to protect your data, identity, and finances.
Did you know?
The rise in ATO security incidents is fueled by the undeniable growth of digital identities and the ease of creating new online accounts that house increasing amounts of personal and financial data.
Account Takeover (ATO) fraud occurs when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to an online account belonging to someone else -- this could be anything from a bank account, email account, social media profile, all the way to an e-commerce account. The cybercrooks take control of the account, locking out the owner, then use it for malicious activities, such as making unauthorized purchases, stealing personal information, or committing identity theft.
To make matters worse ATO attacks happen quietly, without immediate detection by victims, meaning that fraudsters can maximize their damage and profits.
Here are some of the most common ways account takeovers occur:
Phishing Attacks
In a phishing attack, the targeted individual is tricked into providing their login credentials through a fake website or a deceptive email. The attacker creates a sense of urgency, prompting the victim to reveal their information quickly.
Read more about phishing here: Phishing Scams: How to Identify and Avoid Them
Read more about email scams here: Email Scams: How to Spot, Avoid and Report Them
Credential Stuffing
Credential stuffing attacks involve using previously stolen login data (valid usernames and password combinations exposed) to gain access to accounts. These types of attacks are fueled by poor password hygiene -- specifically, password recycling or reusing the same password for multiple online platforms and services.
Many people reuse passwords across multiple accounts. Our 2024 Consumer Cybersecurity Assessment survey clearly shows how password management remains a top vulnerability for netizens, with 37% admitting they write down their passwords, 18.7% saying they use the same password for three or more accounts, and 15.8% acknowledging password reuse for at least two accounts.
Data Breaches and Leaks
Cybercriminals target organizations, businesses and other online platforms for a specific purpose – gaining access to customer information, including logins and other personally identifiable information. This data is either shared for free or sold on the dark web to fraudsters and other cybercrooks.
Has your data been part of a data breach or leak? Time to find out with Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection services. You get instant alerts that allow you to immediately react to data breaches and privacy threats, including exposure of your email address, usernames and passwords online.
Brute Force Attacks
Weak passwords are the propellant in brute force attacks, in which a cybercriminal uses automated tools to crack login credentials – ultimately guessing the correct combination of username and password for a specific account.
Malware and Keyloggers
Malware, including keyloggers, spyware and RATs (remote access tools), can be installed on a victim's device through malicious downloads or phishing emails. Once installed, these malicious tools record the victim's keystrokes or exfiltrate sensitive information like passwords.
SIM Swapping
In SIM swapping, the attacker tricks a mobile carrier into transferring the victim’s phone number to a new SIM card. With control of the user’s phone number, attackers can intercept two-factor authentication (2FA) codes and gain access to the victim’s accounts.
Man-in-the-middle (MITM attacks)
Hackers and other malicious individuals often position themselves between the legitimate user and an application or service which allows them to eavesdrop in real time on the internet traffic and information changed between the two. For example, hackers use public and unsecured Wi-Fi networks to gain access to login details of unsuspecting users.
Cookie Hijacking or Session Hijacking
In this type of attack, cybercriminals steal a user’s browser cookie sessions to gain access to their accounts and sensitive information. This can happen via Man-in-the-Middle attacks, phishing, and malware.
Netizens have multiple online accounts, all of which can be subjected to account takeover fraud. Consequences can be severe and long-term, including:
Spotting the red flags or signs of ATO early is crucial in mitigating the damages and safeguarding user’s finances, data, identity and reputation.
Here are some common warning signs:
If you suspect that one or more of your accounts have been taken over, act quickly to minimize the damage. Here’s what to do:
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Alina is a history buff passionate about cybersecurity and anything sci-fi, advocating Bitdefender technologies and solutions. She spends most of her time between her two feline friends and traveling.
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