Understanding the Risk
Credential compromise remains the leading cause of data breaches, driven by poor password hygiene, phishing, infostealers, and weak authentication practices. Historical breaches show attackers exploiting unpatched systems, third-party vendor accounts, MFA fatigue, and credential-stuffing, leading to exposure of millions of records and large financial losses.
Phishing remains highly effective: users click malicious links within 21 seconds on average and enter data within 28 seconds. Infostealers harvest billions of credentials yearly, and sensitive data such as patient records fetch premium prices on dark markets.

Attack Vectors
Credential compromise occurs through phishing, smishing, vishing, pharming, web-based malware, dark web purchases, an ...