Email Account Compromise

What is Email Account Compromise (EAC)?

Email account compromise (EAC) is a type of cyberattack where attackers gain unauthorized access to a victim’s email account, often to conduct fraudulent activities such as business email compromise (BEC) scams.

How Email Account Compromise (EAC) Occurs?

1. Phishing
   • Credential Theft: Tricking users into providing email login credentials through deceptive emails or websites.
2. Malware
   • Keyloggers and Trojans: Using malware to capture email login credentials.
3. Data Breaches
   • Compromised Accounts: Using stolen credentials from data breaches to access email accounts.
4. Social Engineering
   • Manipulative Tactics: Convincing users to reveal their email login information through various forms of social engineering.
5. Brute Force Attacks
   • Password Guessing: Using automated tools to guess email passwords.

What are the Impacts of Email Account Compromise (EAC) on Businesses?

1. Financial losses
   • Fraudulent Activities: Financial losses from fraudulent activities conducted using compromised email accounts.
2. Data Breaches
   • Compromised Information: Loss of sensitive company data and confidential information.
3. Reputation damage
   • Trust Issues: Erosion of customer trust due to security breaches.
4. Operational disruption
   • Business Interruption: Disruptions in operations while addressing security breaches and reinforcing security measures.
5. Legal and Regulatory Consequences
   • Compliance Issues: Potential fines and legal repercussions for failing to protect email accounts adequately.