What is Credential Harvesting and How Can You Protect Yourself?

Credential harvesting is a type of cyberattack that involves stealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Attackers use a variety of methods to harvest credentials, including phishing, social engineering, and malware.

Credential harvesting is a serious threat to businesses and individuals alike. If an attacker is able to steal your credentials, they can use them to access your accounts and steal your personal information. They may also be able to use your credentials to commit fraud or other crimes.

In this article, we will discuss what credential harvesting is, how it works, and how you can protect yourself from it. We will also provide tips on how to recover from a credential harvesting attack.

What is credential harvesting?

Credential harvesting is a type of cyberattack that involves stealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Attackers use a variety of methods to harvest credentials, including phishing, social engineering, and malware.

How does credential harvesting work?

There are a number of ways that attackers can harvest credentials. Some of the most common methods include:

• Phishing: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that involves sending emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source. These messages often contain links to malicious websites that install malware on your computer or direct you to enter your credentials on a fake website.
• Social engineering: Social engineering is a technique that involves tricking people into giving up their credentials. Attackers may pose as a customer service representative, a technical support agent, or a friend or family member in order to get you to reveal your credentials.
• Malware: Malware is a type of software that can be used to steal credentials. Once installed on your computer, malware can record your keystrokes, log your passwords, or take screenshots of your login screens.

How can I protect myself from credential harvesting?

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from credential harvesting attacks. Some of the most important tips include:

• Use strong passwords: Your passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Never reuse passwords: Never use the same password for multiple accounts. If one of your accounts is compromised, the attacker will have access to all of your accounts that use the same password.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. When you sign in to an account that has 2FA enabled, you will be required to enter your username and password, as well as a second factor, such as a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint scan.
• Be wary of phishing emails and texts: Phishing emails and texts often contain links to malicious websites or instructions to enter your credentials on a fake website. Never click on links in emails or texts that you are not expecting, and never enter your credentials on a website that you do not trust.
• Keep your software up to date: Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches. These patches can help to protect your computer from malware that can steal your credentials.

How can I recover from a credential harvesting attack?

If you believe that your credentials have been compromised, there are a number of things you can do to recover from the attack. Some of the most important steps include:

• Change your passwords: Immediately change your passwords for all of your accounts that use the same password that was compromised.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all of your accounts that offer it.
• Monitor your accounts: Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized logins or transactions.
• File a report with the FTC: If you believe that you have been the victim of identity theft, you should file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from credential harvesting attacks and keep your personal information safe.

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|—|—|—|
| What is Credential Harvesting? | Credential harvesting is a type of phishing attack that targets users’ login credentials, such as usernames and passwords. | How does credential harvesting work? | Credential harvesters typically use a variety of techniques to trick users into entering their credentials, such as:

• Fake login pages: Attackers create fake login pages that look like legitimate websites, such as banks or social media platforms. When users enter their credentials on these pages, the information is sent to the attacker.
• Malware: Attackers can also use malware to steal users’ credentials. Malware can be installed on a user’s computer without their knowledge, and it can then record keystrokes or steal cookies that contain login information.
• Social engineering: Attackers may also use social engineering techniques to trick users into giving up their credentials. For example, they may send emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, but which actually contain links to fake login pages.

| How can I protect myself from credential harvesting? | There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself from credential harvesting, including:

• Use strong passwords: Use a unique password for each account, and make sure your passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code in addition to your password when you log in.
• Be wary of phishing attacks: Be suspicious of emails or text messages that ask you to provide your login information. Never click on links in these messages, and instead go directly to the website in question by typing the URL into your browser.
• Keep your software up to date: Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches. These patches can help to protect you from malware that can steal your credentials.

|

What is Credential Harvesting?

Definition of Credential Harvesting

Credential harvesting is a type of phishing attack that targets sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Attackers use a variety of techniques to trick users into entering their credentials on a fake website or app, such as:

• Spoofing: The attacker creates a fake website or app that looks like a legitimate site or app.
• Phishing emails: The attacker sends an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate company or organization, and asks the recipient to click on a link or open an attachment.
• Malware: The attacker installs malware on the victim’s computer that steals their credentials.

Once the attacker has obtained the victim’s credentials, they can use them to access their accounts and steal their personal information. They can also use the credentials to commit fraud or other crimes.

Types of Credential Harvesting Attacks

There are a number of different types of credential harvesting attacks, including:

• Phishing: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that uses email, text messages, or other forms of communication to trick users into clicking on a link or opening an attachment that installs malware or takes them to a fake website.
• Spear phishing: Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing that is specifically designed to target a particular individual or organization. Spear phishing emails are often more convincing than regular phishing emails, and they may include information that is specific to the target.
• Whaling: Whaling is a type of spear phishing that targets high-profile individuals, such as executives or celebrities. Whaling attacks are often very sophisticated, and they can be difficult to detect.
• Watering hole attacks: Watering hole attacks target users who visit specific websites or apps. Attackers set up malicious code on these websites or apps that steals the credentials of users who visit them.
• Keyloggers: Keyloggers are a type of malware that records the keystrokes that a user makes on their keyboard. Keyloggers can be used to steal usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information.
• Screen scrapers: Screen scrapers are a type of malware that can capture screenshots of a user’s screen. Screen scrapers can be used to steal usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information that is displayed on the screen.

How Credential Harvesting Attacks Work

Credential harvesting attacks work by tricking users into entering their credentials on a fake website or app. Attackers use a variety of techniques to trick users into doing this, such as:

• Spoofing: The attacker creates a fake website or app that looks like a legitimate site or app. The attacker may use the same logo, colors, and design as the legitimate site or app, making it difficult for users to tell the difference.
• Phishing emails: The attacker sends an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate company or organization. The email may contain a link to a fake website or an attachment that contains malware.
• Malware: The attacker installs malware on the victim’s computer that steals their credentials. The malware may be installed through a phishing email, a fake website, or a drive-by download.

Once the attacker has obtained the victim’s credentials, they can use them to access their accounts and steal their personal information. They can also use the credentials to commit fraud or other crimes.

The Risks of Credential Harvesting

Credential harvesting attacks can have a number of serious consequences, including:

• Financial risks: Credential harvesting attacks can lead to financial losses if the attacker uses the victim’s credentials to make unauthorized purchases or access their bank accounts.
• Identity theft risks: Credential harvesting attacks can lead to identity theft if the attacker uses the victim’s credentials to create fake accounts or access their personal information.
• Data breach risks: Credential harvesting attacks can lead to data breaches if the attacker gains access to sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or Social Security numbers.

Credential harvesting attacks are a serious threat, and it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from them.

How to Protect Yourself from Credential Harvesting Attacks

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from credential harvesting attacks, including:

• Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Never reuse passwords: Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts. If one of your accounts is compromised, the attacker will have access to all of your accounts that use the same password.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by

What Is Credential Harvesting?

Credential harvesting is a type of phishing attack that targets sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Attackers use a variety of techniques to trick users into giving up their credentials, such as:

• Phishing emails: These emails appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a company, and they often contain links to malicious websites that can install malware on your computer.
• Fake login pages: These pages look like the real thing, but they’re actually hosted on a malicious website. When you enter your credentials on one of these pages, they’re sent to the attacker instead of the intended website.
• Keyloggers: These programs track the keys you type on your keyboard, including your passwords. They can be installed on your computer without your knowledge, and they’re often used in conjunction with other credential harvesting techniques.

Credential harvesting attacks can have a devastating impact on individuals and organizations. If an attacker gains access to your personal information, they can use it to commit identity theft, fraud, and other crimes. They can also use your credentials to access your online accounts and steal your personal data.

How to Protect Yourself from Credential Harvesting Attacks

There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself from credential harvesting attacks:

• Use strong passwords and passphrases: Your passwords should be at least 12 characters long and contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also avoid using common words or phrases as your passwords.
• Use a password manager: A password manager can help you generate strong passwords and keep track of them all in one place. This can make it much easier to create and use strong passwords without having to remember them all yourself.
• Enable multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires you to provide two or more pieces of verification to log in to an account. This makes it much more difficult for attackers to access your accounts, even if they have your password.
• Be aware of phishing attacks: Phishing emails and websites are designed to trick you into giving up your personal information. Be suspicious of any emails or websites that ask for your personal information, and never click on links or open attachments in emails from senders you don’t know.

Credential harvesting is a serious threat, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. By following these tips, you can help keep your personal information safe.

Additional Resources

• [How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Attacks](https://www.cisa.gov/tips/tips-and-warnings/how-protect-yourself-phishing-attacks)
• [How to Create Strong Passwords](https://www.nist.gov/publications/how-create-strong-passwords)
• [How to Use a Password Manager](https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-use-a-password-manager)
• [How to Enable Multi-Factor Authentication](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6010255?hl=en)

  What is credential harvesting?

Credential harvesting is a type of phishing attack that targets sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Attackers use a variety of techniques to trick users into giving up their credentials, such as sending emails with malicious links or creating fake websites that look like legitimate login pages.

What are the different types of credential harvesting attacks?

There are a number of different types of credential harvesting attacks, including:

• Phishing: This is the most common type of credential harvesting attack. Attackers send emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as banks or online retailers. These emails often contain malicious links or attachments that, when clicked, install malware on the victim’s computer or redirect them to a fake login page.
• Social engineering: This type of attack relies on human psychology to trick users into giving up their credentials. Attackers may pose as customer service representatives or other trusted individuals in order to get victims to provide their information.
• Malware: Malicious software can be used to steal credentials by logging keystrokes, taking screenshots, or recording webcam footage.
• Brute force: This is a brute-force attack is an automated attack that tries to guess usernames and passwords by repeatedly entering different combinations.

How can I protect myself from credential harvesting attacks?

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from credential harvesting attacks, including:

• Be suspicious of emails from unknown senders. Don’t click on links or open attachments in emails from senders you don’t recognize.
• Use strong passwords. Your passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code in addition to your password when you log in.
• Keep your software up to date. Make sure your operating system and software are up to date with the latest security patches.
• Use a password manager. A password manager can help you create strong passwords and keep track of them all in one place.

What if I’ve been a victim of credential harvesting?

If you think you’ve been a victim of credential harvesting, there are a few things you can do:

• Change your passwords immediately. Change your passwords for all of your accounts, even if you don’t think they were compromised.
• Enable two-factor authentication. This will add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Monitor your credit reports. Check your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
• File a report with the FTC. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

Additional resources

• [How to Protect Yourself from Phishing](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-yourself-phishing)
• [How to Create Strong Passwords](https://www.cisa.gov/tips/tips-and-warnings/how-create-strong-passwords)
• [How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication](https://www.google.com/landing/2step/)
• [How to Recover from Identity Theft](https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/how-recover-identity-theft)

  Credential harvesting is a serious threat that can have a devastating impact on businesses and individuals. By understanding what credential harvesting is, how it works, and how to protect yourself from it, you can take steps to keep your data safe.

Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:

• Credential harvesting is a type of social engineering attack that relies on tricking users into giving up their login credentials.
• Attackers use a variety of techniques to trick users, such as phishing emails, fake websites, and malware.
• Credential harvesting can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other serious problems.
• You can protect yourself from credential harvesting by being aware of the risks, using strong passwords, and taking steps to protect your devices from malware.

By following these tips, you can help keep your data safe from credential harvesting attacks.