Credential stuffing: What it is and how to protect yourself

Reusing the same password across multiple accounts may be convenient, but it sets you up for trouble that can cascade across your digital life. This (bad) habit creates the perfect opening for credential stuffing, a technique where bad actors take a list of previously exposed login credentials and systematically feed the username and password pairs into the login fields of selected online services. And if you recycle the same credentials across various accounts, a single such pair can grant attackers access to otherwise unrelated online services.

Indeed, credential stuffing is the digital equivalent of someone discovering a skeleton key that opens your house, office, and safe – all in one sweep. And finding that key needn't be difficult at all – it can be gathered from past data breaches and cybercrime markets or attackers can deploy so-called infostealer malware that siphons credentials off compromised devices and web browsers.

What makes credential ...