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What would happen if someone logged into your business email using a real employee’s credentials? That is how many modern cybersecurity threats work now. Hackers are not always breaking in. More often, they log in using stolen credentials or compromised access, and once inside, they blend in as a normal user.
That is why protecting your accounts matters just as much as protecting your network. Below, you will learn the most common credential-based tactics hackers use, along with practical safeguards that reduce user authentication risks and prevent account compromise.
When an attacker signs in with a real username and password, they can often slip past the defenses you expect to protect you. Even strong firewalls cannot stop a threat that already has valid access, which is why securing your identities, logins, and permissions is now just as important as antivirus and network protection.
This is exactly how identity-based attacks work. They are especially risky when your team relies on email, cloud tools, remote access, and shared file systems, because a single compromised account is often all it takes for attackers to access sensitive data, financial systems, or internal conversations.
Most access-based attacks begin with credential theft. Once a hacker gains access to a login, they can access your systems as if they were a trusted employee. The problem is that they have several ways to obtain those credentials, and many appear completely legitimate. Below are the most common tactics businesses face today.
You might think you would spot a scam instantly, but phishing attacks are designed to look like normal business messages. A fake Microsoft 365 login or “urgent” payroll email can trick you into entering your credentials in seconds. Once an attacker gets into your inbox, they can monitor conversations, create forwarding rules, and impersonate you to request payments or change wiring instructions.
Attackers also use stolen credentials from older breaches and test them across multiple platforms. If anyone on your team reuses passwords, credential stuffing can quickly grant attackers access, often unnoticed.
Multi-factor authentication is a major improvement, but attackers have learned how to exploit human behavior. MFA fatigue attacks flood your employees with login prompts until someone finally clicks “Approve” just to make it stop. That one click can turn a blocked login attempt into an immediate account compromise.
If your MFA relies on text messages, SIM swapping can allow attackers to intercept those codes. That is why stronger MFA methods, such as authentication apps or security keys, are a safer choice for protecting your accounts.
Credential-based attacks work because they are designed to look normal. When an attacker logs in with a real account, it can blend in with everyday activity, making it harder to detect until damage is already done.
Once inside, attackers may be able to:
This is why user authentication risks are now a major business issue. The entry point is often not your firewall. It is your access. And when attackers can sign in, perimeter defenses alone are not enough.
You do not need a complicated strategy to improve your security posture. You need consistent habits and practical controls that make it harder for attackers to steal credentials or use them successfully. Here are the most effective steps you can take to reduce cybersecurity threats:
If you are using MFA, keep it. Just make sure you are using the correct type. App-based authentication and security keys are more secure than text message codes. Strong MFA security makes it much harder for stolen passwords to turn into successful logins.
Most credential theft begins with phishing. The more confident your team is at spotting fake emails and suspicious login requests, the fewer opportunities attackers have. Your training should cover:
Your employees should have access only to what they need to do their jobs. That way, if a single account is compromised, strong access control security limits how far an attacker can go. Review permissions regularly, restrict admin privileges, and remove access immediately when someone leaves.
Password reuse makes credential stuffing far more successful. A password manager makes it easier for employees to use strong, unique passwords without slowing them down. This is one of the simplest ways to reduce user authentication risks across your organization.
Early warning signs include:
The faster you catch these patterns, the more likely you are to stop identity-based attacks before they spread across your systems.
You can lose far more than data when attackers log in with stolen credentials. Many cybersecurity threats result in lost access, operational disruptions, and damaged trust. Nashville Computer has supported businesses since 1988 and can help you close access gaps early.
Schedule a cybersecurity risk assessment to reduce the risk of credential theft and strengthen MFA and access control.