What is "credential stuffing"?

Credential stuffing refers to the cyber attack method where attackers use stolen username and password combinations, usually obtained from previous data breaches, to gain unauthorized access to multiple user accounts across various online services. This technique is effective because many users tend to reuse their credentials across different platforms.

Attackers take advantage of this habit by employing automated bots to input these stolen credentials into login pages of various sites, which can lead to a significant number of breaches if users have not changed their passwords since the theft. This method emphasizes the importance of using unique and complex passwords for different accounts, as well as enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible, to enhance overall security and protect against such attacks.