Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is an automated attack method in which stolen login credentials—usually obtained from previous data breaches—are used at scale to gain unauthorized access to other online services. Attackers exploit the common behavior of users reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts. If access is successful, personal data can be stolen, identities misused, or financial damage inflicted.

Typical process: An attacker uses bots or scripts to perform massive login attempts on websites, apps, or cloud platforms. Particularly affected are e-commerce platforms, online banking systems, social networks, and enterprise applications with web access.

Protecting against credential stuffing requires a multi-layered approach:

·        Use of multi-factor authentication (MFA)

·        Monitoring and blocking suspicious login attempts

·        Implementing CAPTCHA and IP rate-limiting

·        Using threat intelligence feeds to detect known bots

·        Educating users on creating and maintaining unique passwords

In addition, companies should regularly assess whether their systems have been affected by credential stuffing—for example, by comparing credentials against known breach data or using security tools that detect anomalies in login behavior.

Credential stuffing is particularly dangerous because it is easy to carry out and difficult to detect. This makes strong password hygiene and the use of modern security mechanisms all the more essential.