Cybersecurity Category
Passwords & Access
Terms related to passwords, authentication, account security, and access control.
account takeover
When an attacker gains control of a real user account and uses it as if they were trusted.
credential stuffing
Attempts to reuse leaked usernames and passwords across other services.
least privilege
The practice of giving people and systems only the access they actually need.
multi-factor authentication
An extra sign-in check that helps protect accounts even if a password is stolen.
passkeys
A newer sign-in method that can reduce password theft by using trusted devices or security keys.
a password manager
A secure tool for storing unique passwords and reducing risky password reuse.
password spraying
An attack that tries common passwords across many accounts to avoid obvious lockouts.
a privileged account
A high-access account that can change settings, manage users, or control important systems.