How credential phishing works
Credential phishing is a phishing attempt designed specifically to steal usernames and passwords, usually by directing the target to a fake login page that closely mimics a real one. The page might imitate a company's email provider, a cloud storage service, a banking portal, or any other system that requires a login.
Why stolen credentials are dangerous
Once a victim enters their credentials on the fake page, the attacker captures that information and can use it to access real accounts, often without the victim realizing anything happened. Because the fake page may redirect to the real site afterward, or simply show a generic error message, credential phishing can go unnoticed for some time.
Credential phishing is frequently the entry point for larger attacks. Stolen credentials can be used to access email accounts, move laterally inside a network, or set up further business email compromise attempts using the compromised account's real history and contacts.
How to protect against credential phishing
Look-alike domains, urgent language, and requests to "verify your account" are common warning signs. Multi-factor authentication significantly reduces the impact of credential phishing, since a stolen password alone is no longer enough to gain access, but employee awareness remains essential for catching the attempt before any credentials are entered at all. Learn more about security awareness and phishing simulations.