Account Takeover: 10 Methods of Attack and How to Prevent Them

Account Takeover: 10 Methods of Attack and How to Prevent Them

Account takeover (ATO) attacks—unauthorized logins by malicious actors—remain one of the most persistent threats in the cybersecurity landscape. In fact, a recent report by Sift, a global leader in digital trust and safety, reveals a staggering 354% increase in ATO incidents year-on-year in the second half of 2023.

These attacks don’t kick down doors; they slip in quietly, often unnoticed, like digital imposters. And they’re growing smarter by the day. From small startups to global enterprises, no organization is off-limits. Once inside, these intruders aim to steal funds, harvest sensitive data, or simply create chaos.

Understanding how account takeovers happen is the first defense. Here’s how the attackers are getting in—and how to keep them out.

10 Ways Account Takeovers Happen

1. Phishing Attackers disguise themselves as trusted contacts or companies, sending emails or messages that appear genuine. These communications are designed to trick recipients into sharing credentials or clicking malicious links. Variants like spear phishing (targeting individuals) and whaling (targeting executives) make the threat even more personal and convincing.

   
   

2. Social Engineering In this psychological game, attackers impersonate trusted colleagues or authority figures. In one case, AI-generated audio mimicked a company director’s voice, persuading an employee to transfer over $240,000 to a fraudulent account.

   
   

3. Brute Force Attacks Think of a burglar trying every key until one works. This method involves automated tools that guess passwords—especially effective against weak or reused credentials.

   
   

4. Botnets These are networks of hijacked devices—digital zombies—controlled by attackers. They’re used to launch coordinated login attempts or flood systems with malicious traffic.

   
   

5. Data Breaches When cybercriminals gain access to large datasets of usernames, passwords, and personal info, they often sell or reuse them for further attacks across other platforms.

   
   

6. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks Here, the attacker quietly intercepts data between two parties—often over unsecured Wi-Fi—stealing sensitive information in real time.

   
   

7. Malware Malicious software can be unknowingly downloaded via infected files or websites. Once installed, it can log keystrokes, steal data, or even lock systems until a ransom is paid.

   
   

8. Session Hijacking via Cookies If attackers steal authentication cookies, they can bypass the login process entirely—posing as legitimate users without ever needing a password.

   
   

9. Public Wi-Fi Exploits On unsecured networks, attackers can “sniff” traffic—reading emails, capturing login details, and intercepting messages in transit.

   
   

10. Credential Stuffing Using credentials leaked in one breach, attackers automate login attempts across multiple sites. If users reuse passwords, the attacker gains access to multiple accounts in seconds.

Why Certain Platforms Are Targeted

Financial services, banking apps, and digital wallets are obvious targets due to the direct monetary gain. E-commerce platforms are hit for stored payment data, while social media accounts are often hijacked to propagate scams or damage brand reputation.

The impact can be devastating: financial loss, reputational damage, compromised customer data, and in severe cases, the use of stolen identities in further criminal activities.

Five Ways to Protect Your Business

• Use Strong and unique Passwords

  Encourage staff and users to avoid reusing credentials across platforms.

  
  

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  Even if a password is compromised, 2FA adds a critical second layer of defense.

  
  

• Regular Software Updates

  Patching vulnerabilities closes doors that attackers might exploit.

  
  

• Security Awareness Training

  Employees are often the first line of defense. Equip them with the knowledge to detect and report suspicious activity.

  
  

• CAPTCHA and Rate Limiting

  CAPTCHA tools and login attempt limits can significantly reduce automated bot attacks.

Stay Ahead of the Attackers

Cybercriminals are evolving so are the tools and strategies to defend against them. Companies that stay informed, enforce strong security practices, and promotes a culture of cyber awareness are far more likely to stay one step ahead.

Don’t wait until a breach forces your hand. In cybersecurity, prevention is always better than recovery.