{"id":17656,"date":"2026-07-27T11:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.netwitness.com\/?post_type=glossary&p=17656"},"modified":"2026-07-27T14:57:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T18:57:45","slug":"credential-theft","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/www.netwitness.com\/ko\/cyber-glossary\/credential-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"Credential Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is Credential Theft?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Credential Theft is a cyberattack in which cyberattackers steal a user’s login credentials, such as usernames, passwords, authentication tokens, or session cookies, to gain unauthorized access to systems, applications, or sensitive data. Stolen credentials are often used to launch additional attacks, including identity theft, credential stuffing, ransomware, and data breaches.<\/span><\/p>

In other words, credential theft\u00a0is the unauthorized acquisition of authentication information used to verify a user’s identity. These credentials may include usernames, passwords, security tokens, API keys, or authentication certificates. Once stolen, attackers can impersonate legitimate users, bypass security controls, and move laterally across an organization’s network.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As organizations increasingly rely on digital identities, credential theft has become one of the most common and costly cybersecurity threats. Implementing strong theft prevention, identity management, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) helps reduce the risk of compromised credentials and protects critical business assets.<\/span><\/p>

Cyberattackers use various techniques to steal credentials, including Phishing<\/a>, Spear Phishing, Social Engineering, Malware, Keylogging, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, spoofing, and brute force attacks. They may also obtain credentials from previous data breaches or through credential harvesting campaigns that target employees and customers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Because stolen credentials appear legitimate, traditional security tools may struggle to detect malicious activity. Organizations increasingly rely on endpoint security solutions, network traffic monitoring<\/a>, identity management, and continuous monitoring to id<\/span>entify\u00a0suspicious activity before attackers can compromise\u00a0additional\u00a0systems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Synonyms<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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