The best practice to combat credential stuffing attacks is to adopt a layered approach that includes both proactive user authentication measures and advanced detection techniques.
Effective tools and techniques for mitigating credential stuffing include:
Multifactor authentication (MFA):
MFA requires users to provide multiple forms of verification beyond just a password, significantly reducing the chance of compromise even when attackers possess valid credentials.
CAPTCHA challenges:
CAPTCHAs introduce a human verification step during the login process, helping to block automated bots from testing large volumes of credentials. While CAPTCHA challenges help prevent simple bot attacks, advanced attackers can easily overcome them, and they are often frustrating for users due to difficult-to-read text and time-consuming tasks. Alternative verification tools such as HUMAN’s Human Challenge can offer a smoother experience by verifying legitimate users in a way that minimizes disruption, maintaining security without the typical CAPTCHA frustrations.
Bot detection and behavioral analytics:
Advanced bot detection tools are essential for flagging the automated, non-human behavior that characterizes credential stuffing attacks. By analyzing patterns like rapid-fire login attempts, unusual time zones, and mismatched user behavior, these systems can identify and block malicious login activity in real time.
Rate limiting:
Rate limiting limits the number of requests a client can send to the server during a specific time frame. This can help disrupt credential stuffing efforts by preventing attackers from making mass login attempts from the same source, forcing them to slow down or relocate their operations. However, rate limiting may also block real users who make multiple login attempts, and can be circumvented by techniques such as residential proxy rotation.
Reputation-based risk scoring:
This technique assesses the risk of each login attempt based on factors such as the device, IP address reputation, and user history. High-risk logins can trigger additional security measures, such as MFA, or be blocked entirely, depending on the risk level.
Compromised credential detection:
Actively monitoring for compromised credentials from known data breaches can help flag and block login attempts using stolen data. Users can also be prompted to reset passwords before an attacker succeeds in using their compromised credentials.