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Percy the Penguin

Knowledge Base

March 14, 2025

6 min. read

The Growing Threat of Credential Stuffing Attacks Explained

Credential Stuffing: A Growing Threat in the Digital Landscape

Credential stuffing is a type of cyber attack where an attacker uses a list of compromised usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access to a system, network, or application. This type of attack has become increasingly common in recent years, with the rise of data breaches and the availability of stolen credentials on the dark web.

The Risks of Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing poses a significant risk to businesses and individuals alike. When an attacker gains access to a system or application using stolen credentials, they can cause significant harm, including:

  • Stealing sensitive data, such as financial information or personal identifiable information (PII)
  • Conducting malicious activities, such as spamming or phishing
  • Compromising the security of the system or application, allowing for further attacks

How Footprint Can Help Prevent Credential Stuffing

Footprint's comprehensive identity verification and onboarding platform can help prevent credential stuffing attacks. With its robust suite of tools and innovative approaches, Footprint provides a secure and trustworthy way to verify identities and prevent unauthorized access.

Here are some ways Footprint can help prevent credential stuffing:

  • Triple Binding Identity: Footprint verifies the person behind the screen, their device, and their phone number, ensuring a robust and accurate identity verification process.
  • Device Attestation: Footprint utilizes Apple and Google's device attestation frameworks to detect and prevent fraud, raising the cost of fraud for adversaries.
  • Passkeys: Footprint's cryptographic public key bound to the user's verified identity enables secure and phishing-resistant authentication.
  • Behavioral Analysis: Footprint's automated suspicious behavioral analysis detects anomalous behavior, such as typing hesitancy, copy-paste for sensitive fields, devices on bad reputation networks, and more.

Best Practices for Preventing Credential Stuffing

In addition to using Footprint's platform, here are some best practices for preventing credential stuffing:

  • Use Strong Passwords: Encourage users to use strong, unique passwords for each account.
  • Implement Multi-Factor Authentication: Require users to provide additional forms of verification, such as a code sent to their phone or a biometric scan.
  • Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Regularly monitor for suspicious activity, such as multiple login attempts from different locations.
  • Keep Software Up-to-Date: Ensure that all software and systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Conclusion

Credential stuffing is a growing threat in the digital landscape, but with the right tools and best practices, it can be prevented. Footprint's comprehensive identity verification and onboarding platform provides a secure and trustworthy way to verify identities and prevent unauthorized access. By following best practices and using Footprint's platform, businesses can protect themselves and their users from the risks of credential stuffing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Credential Stuffing FAQ

What is credential stuffing? Credential stuffing is a type of cyberattack where an attacker uses a list of stolen login credentials (username and password combinations) to attempt to gain unauthorized access to user accounts on various websites, applications, or systems.
How do attackers obtain the login credentials used for credential stuffing? Attackers often obtain login credentials through phishing attacks, data breaches, or by purchasing them from dark web marketplaces. They may also use brute-force attacks, malware, or other tactics to steal login credentials.
What is the difference between credential stuffing and phishing? Credential stuffing and phishing are both types of cyberattacks, but they differ in their approach. Phishing involves tricking users into revealing their login credentials, while credential stuffing involves using already stolen login credentials to attempt to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
How can I protect myself from credential stuffing? To protect yourself from credential stuffing, use unique and complex passwords for each of your accounts, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible, and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites, and consider using a password manager to generate and store unique passwords.
What should I do if I suspect I've been a victim of credential stuffing? If you suspect you've been a victim of credential stuffing, immediately change your passwords for all affected accounts, and notify the relevant authorities and websites. Monitor your accounts for any further suspicious activity, and consider using a credit monitoring service to detect any potential identity theft.
Can credential stuffing be prevented? While it's impossible to completely prevent credential stuffing, implementing security measures such as multi-factor authentication, IP blocking, and rate limiting can make it more difficult for attackers to succeed. Websites and applications can also implement robust password hashing and salting, and use machine learning-based systems to detect and prevent credential stuffing attacks.

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