What are identity-based attacks

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As the virtual world becomes increasingly reliant on identity-based authorization, identity-based cyberattacks have become a growing threat. The latest "Digital Identity Security Trends 2023" report states that 90% of organizations have experienced at least one digital identity-related breach in the past year.

Identity-based attacks specifically target and compromise the digital identity of an individual, organization, or entity. These attacks include a variety of techniques and methods used by cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities related to identity and access management.

What are identity-based attacks?
Identity-based attacks are designed to steal, manipulate, or misuse identity-related information, such as usernames, domain names, email addresses, passwords, personal data, or digital certificates. The main purpose is usually to gain unauthorized access to systems, data, or resources, to commit fraud, or to conduct malicious activities while masquerading as a legitimate user or entity. These attacks primarily exploit vulnerabilities related to the way identities are managed, verified, or authenticated in a computer or network environment.

Identity-based attack types
They come in many forms and pose a significant threat to cybersecurity, privacy, and the integrity of online systems and services. The most common types include

Identity-based phishing attacks
Phishing attacks typically involve impersonating a trusted entity, such as a legitimate organization or individual, to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or banking details. Phishing emails, websites, or messages are used to steal these credentials.

Forged credentials
Credential stuffing or credential phishing exploits the human tendency to use the same set of passwords across multiple platforms because it eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords.

A famous example of such an attack is the infamous Target data breach in 2013 which was based on this malicious method.

The breach was one of the most significant identity-based attacks in history, with attackers using stolen login credentials to infiltrate vendor systems connected to Target's network, ultimately exposing the personal and financial data of more than 41 million consumers. Malware was subsequently installed on Target's point-of-sale (POS) systems, resulting in significant financial losses, including investigation costs, cybersecurity enhancement costs, and legal settlement costs, totaling $18.5M.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
A MiT attack intercepts communications between two parties, allowing an attacker to eavesdrop or alter the transmitted data. This may involve impersonating one of the two communicating parties in order to obtain sensitive information.

Social Engineering
Social engineering attacks are known for causing identity compromise and rely primarily on manipulating human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. Social engineers use methods such as impersonation attacks to exploit human behavior, trust, and social norms to achieve their malicious goals.

Controlling this human element with technology alone is a daunting challenge, so employee training and awareness programs are crucial, although not foolproof.