Stolen login credentials are a hot commodity for cybercriminals. Usernames and passwords from data breaches get bought and sold in bulk, then tested against business accounts using automated tools. Understanding how these attacks work is the first step toward building a stronger defense.
From credential stuffing to phishing schemes, attackers have multiple ways to get their hands on your team's login information. LastPass helps businesses generate unique passwords, monitor for breaches, and add extra layers of authentication to keep accounts secure.
This guide covers 10 practical steps you can take to protect your business from credential theft. You'll learn what credential harvesting and credential stuffing mean, how these attacks differ from password spraying, and which defenses actually work.
Key Takeaways: Protecting your business from credential theft
- Credential stuffing attacks use stolen username and password combinations to break into multiple accounts automatically.
- Password managers like LastPass generate unique passwords for every account, so one breach doesn't compromise everything.
- Multifactor authentication adds a second verification step that stops attackers even when they have valid credentials.
- Dark web monitoring alerts you when employee credentials appear in data breaches before attackers can use them.
- Employee training remains one of the most effective defenses against phishing and credential harvesting attacks.
10 proven ways to defend your business against credential theft
1. Understand what credential harvesting is and how it works
Credential harvesting is a technique attackers use to collect usernames and passwords from unsuspecting victims. They create fake login pages that look identical to real websites, then trick people into entering their credentials. Those stolen details get stored in databases that criminals sell or use themselves.
Phishing emails are the most common delivery method. An employee receives a message that looks like it's from Microsoft, Google, or your company's own IT department. The email urges them to click a link and sign in immediately. Once they do, their credentials belong to the attacker.
Understanding credential harvesting attacks helps your team spot the warning signs. Look for urgent language, unfamiliar sender addresses, and URLs that don't quite match the real domain.
2. Use a password manager to generate unique passwords for every account
When employees reuse passwords, attackers only need to steal one to access multiple accounts. If that password works for email, cloud storage, and business applications, a single breach can quickly become a much bigger problem.
A password manager solves this problem by creating and storing unique, complex passwords for every account. Your team doesn't need to memorize anything. The password manager fills in credentials automatically, so strong passwords become the easy choice.
LastPass generates random passwords that meet complexity requirements for any website. The built-in password generator creates unique combinations that humans would never think of, and certainly couldn't remember on their own.
3. Enable multifactor authentication across your organization
Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds a second layer of defense beyond passwords alone. Even if an attacker has valid credentials, they can't get in without the second factor. This stops credential stuffing attacks in their tracks.
MFA methods include authenticator apps, hardware security keys, biometrics, and SMS codes. Hardware keys and authenticator apps offer stronger protection than SMS, though any second factor is better than none. The goal is to make stolen passwords useless on their own.
LastPass supports multiple MFA methods including the LastPass Authenticator, TOTP apps, YubiKey, and FIDO2 biometrics like Windows Hello and Touch ID. This flexibility lets you choose the authentication method that fits your security needs and workflow.
4. Train employees to recognize phishing and credential harvesting attacks
Your security tools can only do so much. Employees are often the first line of defense against credential theft, and attackers know it. Social engineering exploits human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities.
Regular training helps your team identify suspicious emails, fake login pages, and unusual requests. Teach them to verify sender addresses, hover over links before clicking, and report anything that seems off. Make it easy for employees to ask questions without fear of looking foolish.
Simulated phishing tests can reveal gaps in awareness. When someone clicks a fake phishing link during training, use it as a learning opportunity rather than a reason for criticism. Building a security-conscious culture takes time, but it pays off.
5. Monitor for compromised credentials on the dark web
Data breaches are common, and stolen credentials often appear on the dark web before companies announce the incident publicly. Monitoring for exposed credentials helps you respond quickly and reset passwords before they can be misused.
Dark web monitoring scans these hidden marketplaces for email addresses, usernames, and passwords associated with your business. When a match appears, you can force password resets and investigate before attackers exploit the exposure.
LastPass includes dark web monitoring that alerts you if your information appears in a data breach. The Security Dashboard shows which accounts may be at risk, so you can take action quickly and focus your response where it matters most.
6. Implement login attempt limits to block credential stuffing
Credential stuffing attacks rely on speed and volume. Attackers use botnets to test thousands of stolen credentials against your login pages every minute. Without rate limiting, they can keep trying until they find combinations that work.
Login attempt limits slow these attacks dramatically. After a certain number of failed attempts, the system locks the account temporarily or requires additional verification. This makes automated attacks impractical and gives you time to detect the activity.
Configure your applications to lock accounts after 3 to 5 failed login attempts. Set lockout periods that are long enough to deter attackers but short enough that legitimate users aren't locked out for hours. Make sure employees can recover their accounts through secure channels.
7. Use single sign-on to reduce the number of credentials in circulation
Managing dozens of separate passwords is difficult for employees and creates more credentials that need protection. Single sign-on (SSO) simplifies this by consolidating authentication into a single, well-protected entry point.
With SSO, employees log in once and gain access to all their authorized applications. They don't need separate passwords for email, project management, CRM, and every other tool. Fewer passwords mean fewer opportunities for credential theft.
LastPass offers native integrations with major identity providers including Microsoft Entra, Okta, Google, and OneLogin. Federated login lets employees access their LastPass vault using existing credentials from your current identity provider, creating a unified authentication experience.
8. Require strong, unique passwords for all business accounts
Weak passwords make credential stuffing trivially easy. When employees choose predictable passwords like "Company123" or "Summer2024," attackers don't need sophisticated tools. Simple dictionary attacks can crack these in seconds.
Establish clear password policies that require minimum length, complexity, and uniqueness. Passwords should be at least 12 characters and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. More importantly, each account needs its own password.
LastPass makes policy enforcement straightforward. Admins can configure over 120 security policies that apply at individual, group, or organizational levels. The Security Dashboard identifies weak, reused, and compromised passwords so you know exactly where to focus attention.
9. Audit third-party apps and integrations for security risks
Your business probably relies on dozens of third-party applications. Each one needs to be secured, and if a vendor experiences a breach, your employees' credentials for that service could be exposed.
Regular audits help you understand which applications have access to your systems and data. Review permissions, check vendor security practices, and remove integrations you no longer use. Keep an eye out for shadow IT as well, where employees adopt tools without IT approval. These unauthorized apps are easy to overlook but still need the same scrutiny.
Document all authorized applications and establish a process for evaluating new ones. Ask vendors about their security certifications, incident response procedures, and data handling practices before granting access to your environment.
10. Create an incident response plan for credential breaches
Despite your best efforts, breaches can still happen. What matters is how quickly and effectively you respond. A clear incident response plan means your team won't be scrambling to figure out what to do if credentials are stolen.
Your plan should define who gets notified, what steps to take immediately, and how to communicate with affected parties. Include procedures for forcing password resets, revoking access tokens, and investigating the scope of the breach.
Time is critical in credential breaches. Attackers move fast once they have valid login information. Knowing what to do ahead of time can mean the difference between a contained incident and a much larger problem.
How LastPass helps you protect your business from credential theft
Remembering unique passwords for every account is hard, and that's exactly why most people reuse them. LastPass takes that problem off your plate by generating and storing strong passwords for every login. When you or your team need to sign in, LastPass fills in the credentials automatically.
The Security Dashboard gives you a clear view of your password health. You can see which passwords are weak, which ones have been reused, and which accounts may have been affected by breaches. Dark web monitoring keeps an eye out for your credentials in places you wouldn't think to check.
You can also add multifactor authentication for extra protection. LastPass works with the LastPass Authenticator, hardware security keys like YubiKey, and biometric options like Windows Hello and Touch ID. Pick whichever method works best for your team.
If you're managing passwords for a team, the Admin Console makes it easier. You get over 120 customizable security policies and integrations with identity providers like Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and Google Workspace. User provisioning can be automated, so you don't have to set up each employee manually.
Federated login lets employees access their LastPass vault using existing credentials from your current identity provider, creating a unified authentication experience.
LastPass Business also comes with 24/7 support by phone, email, or chat. And with certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, and FIDO2 Server Certification, you know your credentials are in good hands.
Get started with LastPass today.
