In an increasingly digitized world, your login credentials are the keys to your digital kingdom. If they fall into the wrong hands, your business could lose everything. The harsh reality is that cybercriminals know this too well. According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, nearly 90% of Basic Web Application Attacks involved the use of stolen credentials.
Credential harvesting is one of the most dangerous and quickly evolving cyberthreats businesses face today. These types of cyberattacks are designed to steal usernames and passwords to evade an organization’s defense systems and gain unauthorized access to systems, services and sensitive data.
In this article, we discuss the top five types of credential harvesting attacks, how they work and how you can protect your business against them.
What is credential harvesting?
Credential harvesting is a cybercrime method of maliciously collecting login credentials, such as usernames, email addresses, passwords or authentication tokens. Threat actors then use harvested credentials to access systems, steal sensitive information, move laterally within the network or for further exploitation, such as ransomware deployment and business email compromise. The stolen credentials are often shared or sold on dark web forums to other cybercriminal groups.
With login-based services, such as cloud-based apps, SaaS platforms and remote access tools, becoming an integral part of modern productivity, user credentials have become attractive targets for threat actors. If cybercriminals manage to steal or compromise your organization’s user credentials, the consequences can be catastrophic. Credential harvesting attacks can lead to unauthorized access to your company’s systems and data, financial theft or fraud, regulatory violations, legal penalties and permanent damage to your reputation.
Top 5 credential harvesting attacks
Credential harvesting is arguably the most effective way threat actors gain initial access to an organization’s systems. Using stolen credentials, they impersonate legitimate users to log in to business apps and productivity tools undetected. Here are the top five credential harvesting attacks that security teams must watch out for.
Phishing
Phishing has long been the weapon of choice for cybercriminals due to its simplicity, effectiveness and high success rate. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals use highly personalized and well-crafted emails or messages, malicious attachments and fake websites to trick users into divulging sensitive information, like their login details. Nearly 80% of phishing attacks are designed to capture user credentials, with SaaS apps, such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, being the main targets.
Some notable phishing tactics include email phishing, spear phishing (SMS phishing) and business email compromise.
To combat today’s highly sophisticated phishing attacks, your organization must implement advanced email security tools like Graphus that detect and prevent malicious emails from reaching your employees’ inboxes. Educate your employees on identifying suspicious links and use MFA wherever possible to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive business information.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks
MitM is a cyberattack technique in which an attacker intercepts the communication between a user and a website, application or service. They secretly place themselves between the user and the website, thereby allowing them to capture data in transit. MitM attacks allow threat actors to steal login credentials, financial data or sensitive information in real time.
In MitM attacks, cybercriminals exploit unsecured networks or redirect DNS traffic to intercept messages while impersonating one of the two communicating parties.
To prevent MiTM attacks, always use encrypted communications (HTTPS) and robust authentication methods like MFA. Avoid using public WiFi networks since they are a common target for MitM attacks. Use a VPN to ensure traffic is encrypted when using public hotspots. Implement network security controls, such as intrusion detection and prevention systems, secure Domain Name System (DNS) services and Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering to detect and block threats effectively.
Credential stuffing
Credential stuffing is a brute-force attack method in which attackers use stolen or leaked credentials (username-password combinations) from past breaches or bought on the dark web to access other accounts. This is a highly effective cyberattack method because many employees tend to use the same credentials across multiple platforms or services. Cybercriminals also use bots or scripts to automate login attempts on various sites, which makes it more efficient and easier to execute.
To protect your business and employees from credential stuffing attacks, enforce strong, unique passwords and encourage the use of unique passwords for each account. Enable MFA to stop malicious bots and reinforce security. Continuously monitor for suspicious login behavior, such as unusual login patterns, multiple failed login attempts or login attempts using known compromised credentials, to detect and mitigate threats early.
Keylogging malware
Keylogging malware, or a keylogger, is a malicious program specifically designed to record every keystroke made on a device without the user’s knowledge. Keyloggers are often distributed through malicious attachments, software downloads, infected websites or by exploiting vulnerabilities. Once installed, they silently capture everything the user types, including sensitive login information, and transmit the data back to the attackers.
Your organization must deploy advanced endpoint detection and response solutions to identify suspicious keylogging behaviors and reduce the risk of keylogging malware infections. Ensure that the software and operating systems your organization uses are up to date. Apply security patches as soon as they are available or enable automatic updates to close vulnerabilities that the malware may exploit. Educate users about the risks of downloading unauthorized software or clicking on links from unknown sources.
Social engineering
Social engineering is a popular cyberattack method that exploits human behavior rather than hacking systems or networks. Threat actors use various methods like phishing, vishing, smishing, pretexting and baiting to manipulate human psychology and trick users into revealing confidential information, granting access or performing certain actions. The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report also revealed that the human element, including credential abuse, social actions, errors and interaction with malware, was responsible for about 60% of data breaches.
Education is key to preventing social engineering attacks. Regular security awareness training can help your users recognize nefarious tactics like phishing, pretexting and baiting. Use simulated attacks to test your end users and reinforce training. It’s a security best practice to always verify requests before disclosing sensitive information or taking high-risk actions. Limit access and privileges to ensure users have access to only the data and systems that are required for their day-to-day operations. Use security solutions, like email filters, spam detection and web security gateways, to detect and stop threats in their tracks.
How Kaseya 365 User can help
Credential harvesting is a persistent threat that targets your organization’s most valuable asset — your end users and their identities. Cybercriminals use creative methods, such as AI-powered phishing emails and keylogging malware, to steal credentials and gain access to your digital kingdom.
But with the right combination of awareness, security solutions, proactive strategy and layered defense, you can protect your business and your people. That’s where Kaseya 365 User comes in.
Kaseya 365 User is a ground-breaking subscription-based service that offers all the essential security components to help you prevent, respond to and recover from user-based threats.
Prevent
A single Kaseya 365 User subscription gives you access to cutting-edge prevention tools such as email security, user awareness training, susceptibility testing and dark web monitoring. These solutions help you stay ahead of cyberthreats by identifying and addressing risks before they escalate. Kaseya 365 User reduces exposure to common attacks like phishing and credential theft while improving user awareness and response readiness.
Respond
Kaseya 365 User’s cloud detection and response (CDR) helps you quickly address SaaS threats, minimize damage and secure vulnerable accounts. With features like SaaS event alerts and automated threat response powered by machine learning, Kaseya 365 User detects suspicious activity and secures compromised accounts before they cause any damage.
Recover
Kaseya 365 User provides robust SaaS backup and recovery tools to ensure business continuity following an incident. Our industry-leading SaaS backup solutions minimize disruptions and keep your business running smoothly. With automated backups and versatile recovery options, such as point-in-time, granular and non-destructive restore options, Kaseya 365 User ensures your data can be quickly restored with little or no loss.
Protect your end users, their identities and data from credential harvesting attacks and other cyberthreats. Discover how Kaseya 365 User maximizes security and efficiency while minimizing cyber-risks and costs.
