Credential phishing isn’t just a threat – it’s exploding. In the second half of 2024, credential phishing attacks surged by 703%, outpacing even the 202% rise in broader email-based phishing threats. Cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts with AI-generated content, fake login pages, and multichannel attack strategies designed to steal credentials and compromise systems.
If your organisation still relies on usernames and passwords, you’re an easy target.
What is Credential Phishing?
Credential phishing is a specific type of cyberattack where bad actors trick users into handing over login credentials – typically through fake emails, login pages, or texts that appear to come from trusted sources like your bank, IT team, or a known vendor. Once they have access, attackers can:
✔️ Steal data
✔️ Plant malware
✔️ Launch Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams
✔️ Move laterally across systems undetected
And with the rise of AI-powered phishing, these attacks are more sophisticated – and harder to spot – than ever.
How Credential Phishing Has Evolved
- 1990s-2000s: Early attacks mimicked ISPs and banking websites
- 2010s: Spear phishing and BEC took center stage, targeting specific people with highly tailored messages
- 2020s: Now attackers use generative AI to create realistic messages in minutes – and are launching phishing campaigns across email, SMS, Slack, Teams, and even phone calls
Common Tactics to Watch out for
Attackers are constantly evolving, but these are the core tactics you need to defend against:
✔️ Deceptive emails that impersonate trusted contacts and create urgency
✔️ Fake login pages crafted to match your org’s branding
✔️ Smishing, vishing, and phishing via collaboration tools
✔️ QR code phishing that bypasses link scanning tools
✔️ Credential stuffing – using stolen credentials across multiple services
✔️ Password spraying with common passwords to exploit weak hygiene
✔️ Precision-validating phishing that checks credentials in real time to boost attack efficiency
How to Defend Against Credential Phishing
The good news? You can stay one step ahead with the right tools and strategies.
What’s Next for Credential Phishing?
Expect credential phishing to get even smarter – leveraging deepfakes, advanced social engineering, and more automation. But as threat actors evolve, so do defenders.
According to the 2025 RSA ID IQ Report:
✔️ 80% of security leaders believe AI will help strengthen cybersecurity
✔️ Only 20% believe AI will benefit attackers more than defenders
DTE and RSA can help
RSA delivers passwordless authentication, phishing-resistant MFA, SSO, and AI=powered identity security – all designed to help organisations like yours:
✔️ Stop credential-based attacks
✔️ Strengthen access controls
✔️ Simplify authentication
✔️ Build toward a Zero Trust future
Let’s make credential phishing a thing of the past. Get in touch to find out more how we can help your organisation.