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The Edge DR Tech Sections Close Back Sections Featured Sections The Edge Dark Reading Technology Attacks / Breaches Cloud ICS/OT Remote Workforce Perimeter Analytics Security Monitoring Security Monitoring App Sec Database Security Database Security Risk Compliance Compliance Threat Intelligence Endpoint AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy Vulnerabilities / Threats Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management Operations Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People Physical Security IoT Black Hat news Omdia Research Security Now Events Close Back Events Events * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More Webinars * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program Apr 27, 2023 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus! May 04, 2023 Resources Close Back Resources Dark Reading Library > Webinars > Reports > Slideshows > White Papers > Partner Perspectives: Microsoft Tech Library > Newsletter The Edge DR Tech Sections Close Back Sections Featured Sections The Edge Dark Reading Technology Attacks / Breaches Cloud ICS/OT Remote Workforce Perimeter Analytics Security Monitoring Security Monitoring App Sec Database Security Database Security Risk Compliance Compliance Threat Intelligence Endpoint AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy Vulnerabilities / Threats Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management Operations Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People Physical Security IoT Black Hat news Omdia Research Security Now Events Close Back Events Events * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More Webinars * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program Apr 27, 2023 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus! May 04, 2023 Resources Close Back Resources Dark Reading Library > Webinars > Reports > Slideshows > White Papers > Partner Perspectives: Microsoft Tech Library > The Edge DR Tech Sections Close Back Sections Featured Sections The Edge Dark Reading Technology Attacks / Breaches Cloud ICS/OT Remote Workforce Perimeter Analytics Security Monitoring Security Monitoring App Sec Database Security Database Security Risk Compliance Compliance Threat Intelligence Endpoint AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy Vulnerabilities / Threats Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management Operations Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People Physical Security IoT Black Hat news Omdia Research Security Now Events Close Back Events Events * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More Webinars * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program Apr 27, 2023 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus! May 04, 2023 Resources Close Back Resources Dark Reading Library > Webinars > Reports > Slideshows > White Papers > Partner Perspectives: Microsoft Tech Library > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter SEARCH A minimum of 3 characters are required to be typed in the search bar in order to perform a search. Announcements 1. 2. 3. Event How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program | Webinar <REGISTER> Event How to Accelerate XDR Outcomes: Bridging the Gap Between Network and Endpoint | Webinar <REGISTER> Report Black Hat USA 2022 Attendee Report | Supply Chain & Cloud Security Risks Are Top of Mind | <READ IT NOW> PreviousNext Vulnerabilities/Threats 5 MIN READ Commentary HOW PASSWORD MANAGERS CAN GET HACKED Password managers aren't foolproof, but they do help mitigate risks from weak credentials and password reuse. Following best practices can contribute to a company's defenses. Stu Sjouwerman Founder & CEO, KnowBe4, Inc. April 11, 2023 Source: Brian Jackson via Alamy Stock Photo PDF Over the past few months, several leading password managers have been victims of hacking and data breaches. For instance, LastPass, which experienced a massive breach last year, recently announced again that the company's password vault has been stolen. And thanks to the bad practice of reusing passwords too often, Norton LifeLock also reported compromises to its password manager. Why are password managers so attractive to cybercriminals? It's simple. Password managers hold the "keys to the castle." If a password manager gets compromised, attackers gain access to all stored passwords at once, which means they can walk into any secured environment or impersonate any user, circumventing all cybersecurity defenses. The market for password managers is growing rapidly, and attackers will target anything that can get more bang for their buck. ATTRACTIVE TARGETS Some of the most common ways password managers are being hacked include: 1. MALWARE-TARGETING PASSWORD MANAGERS Malware programs have been targeting password managers for the last several years. In 2014, malware called Citadel, designed to target password managers, became notorious for having compromised one in 500 PCs worldwide. However, back then, only a small number of users used a password manager. Today, the average person needs to remember upward of 100 passwords, which is why the market for password managers and the malware market for targeting them are both growing. For example, the attack on the Solana blockchain last year that resulted in a $7 million heist was caused by malware that targeted crypto wallets and password managers called Luca Stealer; another Trojan, dubbed StealC, specifically targets browser extensions and authenticators by password managers; password stealers targeting Web browsers have also been around for decades. 2. PHISHING ATTACKS AGAINST PASSWORD MANAGERS Phishing attacks targeting password managers are on the rise. For example, in January 2023, researchers came across Google Ads that were redirecting victims to fake Bitwarden and 1Password pages, trying to steal their master credentials. What's more, customers of password managers such as LastPass, who have already had their credentials exposed in an earlier data leak, are at an increased risk of scams and phishing attacks. Attackers know their email addresses, phone numbers, and the online services they use, and therefore they can be easily targeted using a variety of phishing techniques. 3. SOFTWARE VULNERABILITIES IN PASSWORD MANAGERS Just like all other forms of software, password managers are prone to vulnerabilities. Recently, researchers reported a vulnerability in KeePass that could allow attackers to export all usernames and passwords in clear text. Earlier this year, Google discovered that popular password managers such as Dashlane, Bitwarden, and Apple's Safari browser password manager can all be manipulated into auto-filling passwords on untrusted pages. 4. CREDENTIAL-STUFFING ATTACKS USING LEAKED CREDENTIALS Credential-stuffing attacks are becoming increasingly common. This is a type of attack where threat actors leverage previously leaked credentials (nearly 25 billion of these are for sale on underground marketplaces) to gain unauthorized access into websites, applications, and networks. Most password managers have a "master password" to access all credentials, and since 65% of users reuse their passwords across different websites, it's possible that attackers use brute-force techniques or make educated guesses on the possible password combinations. Late last year, LastPass confirmed a credential-stuffing attack against some of its users. DO PASSWORD MANAGERS MAKE SENSE IN 2023? The benefits of having a password manager far outweigh the risks. Password managers help mitigate two of the biggest risks for users and businesses — weak credentials and password reuse. Yes, attacks on password managers are on the rise, but the probability of a business being attacked due to poor credentials or password reuse is much higher than the likelihood of a password manager getting hacked. There are a number of things organizations can do to mitigate the risks of password managers: * Security-train employees: Most password-stealing malware gets installed when users get phished or social engineered — users download, click, or open something they shouldn't have. This is why it is extremely important for organizations to instill secure behavior in employees (alertness, strong passwords, safe browsing, responsible use of social media, not trusting anything at face value, etc.) so they don't fall victim to a phishing attack. * Patch regularly: Make sure you patch all your software and systems regularly. Unpatched software is the second-biggest reason password-stealing Trojans get installed on computers. Ensure you check and install all critical patches, especially the ones that are featured on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerability Catalog. * Use phishing-resistant multifactor authentication: Use phishing-resistant MFA or passwordless options wherever you can. Not just to protect the master password on your password manager, but also on all of your critical websites, applications, and services. * Check password-dump websites for leaked credentials: Check online leaked-password websites (such as haveibeenpwned.com) or take breach password tests to ascertain if any of your credentials are floating around in online databases. * Use a good password manager: Use password managers that deploy strong encryption; that follow secure development life cycle (SDLC) programming; are responsive, transparent, and responsible to their customers; and that promote security features such as MFA, passwordless options, contextual features (user gets locked out if it's an unknown device or location), and phishing-detection capabilities. Are password managers foolproof? Nope. But nothing is these days. The operating systems we use, the devices and applications we use — everything is hackable. Password managers come with some great benefits — they can tell you if your password is strong or not, they prevent you from reusing your password, some can stop you from entering credentials into bogus URLs, and some will even alert you when a website gets compromised. As long as organizations follow the above tips and best practices, password managers can prove to be a vital tool in the defense arsenal of any organization. Attacks/BreachesVulnerability Management Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly-discovered vulnerabilities, data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to your email inbox. Subscribe More Insights White Papers * 9 Traits You Need to Succeed as a Cybersecurity Leader * Cymulate Named Innovation Leader, Frost & Sullivan's - Frost Radar BAS, 2022 More White Papers Webinars * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus! More Webinars Reports * Successfully Managing Identity in Modern Cloud and Hybrid Environments * The 10 Most Impactful Types of Vulnerabilities for Enterprises Today More Reports Editors' Choice 7 Things Your Ransomware Response Playbook Is Likely Missing Becky Bracken, Editor, Dark Reading Samsung Engineers Feed Sensitive Data to ChatGPT, Sparking Workplace AI Warnings Jai Vijayan, Contributing Writer, Dark Reading LastPass Breach Reveals Important Lessons Mike Walters, VP of Vulnerability and Threat Research & Co-Founder, Action1 Corporation FIN7, Former Conti Gang Members Collaborate on 'Domino' Malware Jai Vijayan, Contributing Writer, Dark Reading Webinars * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus! * Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT and Cybersecurity: A Match Made in Heaven or a Hack Waiting to Happen? * Unleashing AI to Assess Cybersecurity Risk * Puzzled by Patching: Solve Endpoint Pains More Webinars Reports * Successfully Managing Identity in Modern Cloud and Hybrid Environments * The 10 Most Impactful Types of Vulnerabilities for Enterprises Today * Shoring Up the Software Supply Chain Across Enterprise Applications * The Promise and Reality of Cloud Security * 10 Hot Talks From Black Hat USA 2022 More Reports White Papers * 9 Traits You Need to Succeed as a Cybersecurity Leader * Cymulate Named Innovation Leader, Frost & Sullivan's - Frost Radar BAS, 2022 * What Are the Top and Niche Use Cases for Breach and Attack Simulation Technology? * 2023 Cloud Threat Report * Cybersecurity in 2023 and beyond: 12 leaders share their forecasts More White Papers Events * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More * Black Hat Asia - May 9-12 - Learn More More Events More Insights White Papers * 9 Traits You Need to Succeed as a Cybersecurity Leader * Cymulate Named Innovation Leader, Frost & Sullivan's - Frost Radar BAS, 2022 More White Papers Webinars * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus! More Webinars Reports * Successfully Managing Identity in Modern Cloud and Hybrid Environments * The 10 Most Impactful Types of Vulnerabilities for Enterprises Today More Reports DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH * Interop * InformationWeek * Network Computing * ITPro Today * Data Center Knowledge * Black Hat * Omdia WORKING WITH US * About Us * Advertise * Reprints FOLLOW DARK READING ON SOCIAL * * * * * * * Home * Cookies * Privacy * Terms Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC Informa UK Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 1072954 whose registered office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG. Cookies Button ABOUT COOKIES ON THIS SITE We and our partners use cookies to enhance your website experience, learn how our site is used, offer personalised features, measure the effectiveness of our services, and tailor content and ads to your interests while you navigate on the web or interact with us across devices. 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