When the attacker becomes the user: Rethinking account takeover

Account takeover has become a significant cybersecurity threat, with attackers leveraging stolen email credentials to impersonate trusted individuals or organizations. Traditional email security measures fail to detect such activities, allowing the attacker to cause various forms of damage, including financial loss, data theft, and malware propagation.

The typical account takeover process begins with the acquisition of login credentials, often through phishing attacks. Attackers now tend to be more stealthy, taking their time to test and verify stolen credentials before making their move.

Once they have gained access to a legitimate account, attackers often start by observing email traffic, waiting for an optimal moment to inject themselves into conversations. Their ultimate goals may range from infiltrating payroll or invoicing databases to targeting customers and suppliers, resulting in a broader range of sensitive endpoints falling under their control.

The key challenge for defenders lies in the fact that they have no control over the authentication practices of other parties, making them vulnerable to outbound phishing attacks.

To combat this threat, organizations need more sophisticated solutions than traditional email security. A GenAI-powered email analysis tool, such as INKY by Kaseya, offers advanced capabilities to detect subtle inconsistencies in email conversations. By utilizing techniques like advanced sender profiling, stylometry, and machine learning, INKY can identify deviations from a legitimate employee's writing patterns, even when the message headers appear genuine.

This tool is particularly useful for detecting third-party account takeovers, as it builds and maintains detailed profiles of trusted senders based on technical and behavioral characteristics. By maintaining a baseline of what "normal" looks like, INKY can swiftly identify suspicious emails that do not align with these profiles.

In addition to deploying powerful tools like INKY, organizations must also consider containing the impact of a successful account takeover attempt. This involves not only blocking the compromised account but also taking proactive measures to safeguard vital data and infrastructure. With the right combination of advanced AI-driven email analysis tools and well-planned response strategies, businesses can effectively mitigate the risks associated with account takeover attacks and protect their valuable assets.