Credential Theft

Definitions

1. The unauthorized acquisition of usernames, passwords, tokens, session material, or other authentication credentials. Credential theft is one of the most common ways attackers turn initial access into broader compromise.

   In plain English: Stealing login credentials or other authentication secrets.

   Example: "The phishing campaign led directly to credential theft and rapid mailbox compromise."

Related Terms

• Secret Scanning
• Computer Network Exploitation
• Credential Cache
• Credential Dumping
• Credential Leak
• Credential Store
• Cyber Espionage
• Cybercrime
• Intrusion Analysis
• Keychain
• Offline Attack