Guarding Against the Growing Threat of Account Takeover Attacks

There’s a cyber threat you might not have heard of – Account Takeover (ATO) attacks.

It’s when cyber criminals gain unauthorized access to your online accounts. This can expose sensitive data, enable financial theft, and allow further attacks. And it’s happening more than you might think – ATO attempts skyrocketed by 427% last year.

Cyber criminals use sophisticated techniques to steal your login details, often using generative AI. This AI can create incredibly realistic phishing emails that appear to be from someone you trust, tricking even the savviest people into giving up their details. It’s what’s making the attacks so dangerous.

Imagine a cybercriminal gains access to the email of a senior person in your business. They can send fraudulent messages to employees, partners, or clients. And it’s not just a hypothetical scenario – 75% of businesses reported at least one ATO attack last year, and more than a third faced more than five inci-dents.

So, how do you protect your business? Here’s my advice.

Encourage employees to use complex passwords generated randomly and stored in a password manag-er.

Use Multi Factor Authentication where you get a login code on another device. It’s not foolproof but it adds an extra layer of security.

Invest in advanced security tools that can detect unusual activities and potential threats.

Give your team regular training on recognizing and avoiding cyber threats.

Remember, being proactive is always your best defense. If our team can be proactive for you, get in touch.

Mitigating the growing threats of account takeover attacks in 2024 | TechRadar