There's a cyber threat you might not have heard of - Account Takeover (ATO) attacks.
An account takeover attack is when cyber criminals gain unauthorized access to your online accounts. This can expose sensitive data, enable financial theft, and allow further attacks. This can lead to the exposure of sensitive data, financial theft, and additional attacks. Alarmingly, ATO attempts surged by 427% last year.
These criminals use advanced methods to steal your login credentials, often leveraging generative AI. This technology creates highly convincing phishing emails that look like they come from trusted sources, deceiving even the most cautious individuals. This makes ATO attacks particularly perilous.
Picture this: a cyber criminal infiltrates the email account of a senior executive in your company. They can then send fraudulent emails to employees, partners, or clients. This isn’t just a theoretical threat—75% of businesses experienced at least one account takeover attack last year, and over a third dealt with more than five incidents.
So, how do you protect your business from account takeover? Here’s my advice:
- Encourage employees to use complex passwords generated randomly and stored in a password manager.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a login code on another device.
- Invest in advanced security tools that can detect unusual activities and potential threats.
- Provide regular training for your team on recognizing and avoiding cyber threats.
Account takeover prevention is vital. Proactivity is your best defense. If my team can help you with IT services in Lafayette, LA, get in touch.
