Credentialstjæling

Credentialstjæling, also known as credential theft or account hijacking, refers to the unauthorized acquisition and use of an individual's login credentials. These credentials typically include usernames and passwords, but can also encompass other authentication factors like security questions or multi-factor authentication tokens. The primary goal of credential theft is to gain access to a user's accounts, which can range from email and social media to online banking and sensitive corporate systems.

This illicit activity can occur through various methods. Phishing attacks are a common technique, where attackers impersonate legitimate entities through deceptive emails, websites, or messages to trick users into revealing their credentials. Malware, such as keyloggers or spyware, can also be used to record keystrokes or steal stored credentials from a victim's device. Brute-force attacks, where attackers systematically try different password combinations, and credential stuffing, which involves using lists of leaked credentials from previous data breaches, are other prevalent methods.

The consequences of credentialstjæling can be severe. For individuals, it can lead to identity theft, financial loss, reputational damage, and the compromise of personal information. For organizations, it can result in data breaches, financial penalties, operational disruptions, and a loss of customer trust. Protecting against credentialstjæling involves employing strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication whenever possible, being vigilant against phishing attempts, and keeping software updated to patch security vulnerabilities.