What does the term "credential stuffing" describe?

The term "credential stuffing" specifically refers to a type of cyberattack where attackers use stolen credentials—such as usernames and passwords—to gain unauthorized access to user accounts on various platforms. This attack exploits the common practice of users reusing the same credentials across multiple sites. Once attackers obtain these credentials, often from data breaches of other services, they systematically attempt to log into other services, assuming that many users will have reused the same login details.

Understanding credential stuffing is crucial for cybersecurity because it highlights the importance of unique passwords for different accounts and the need for multi-factor authentication. By using different credentials for different sites, individuals can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access even if one set of credentials is compromised. This awareness is also why organizations implement measures like rate limiting on login attempts and alerting users of suspicious login activities.