{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-dictionary-term-tsx","path":"/dictionary/account-takeover","result":{"data":{"contentfulDictionaryTerm":{"title":"Account Takeover ","slug":"account-takeover","descriptionMeta":{"childMarkdownRemark":{"rawMarkdownBody":"Learn about Account Takeover (ATO): How unauthorized access to your email, social media, or bank accounts can lead to stolen information and identity theft."}},"body":{"body":"# Account Takeover (ATO)\nAn account takeover happens when someone who shouldn't have access manages to get into your online accounts—think email, social media, or bank accounts. They might figure out your password or trick you into giving it up. Once they're in, they can steal your info, get into your other accounts, or even impersonate you.\n\nAccount takeovers can happen in several ways:\n\n- [__Phishing__ ](https://guard.io/dictionary/phishing \"Guardio Dictionary - What's phishing?\")\n\n- __[Guessing passwords](https://guard.io/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-password-security \"Guardio Blog - Everything You Need to Know About Password Security\")__ \n\n- [__Data breaches__ ](https://guard.io/dictionary/data-breach \"Guardio Dictionary - What's a data breach?\")\n\n- [__Malware__](https://guard.io/dictionary/malware \"Guardio Dictionary - What's malware?\") \n\n- [__Social engineering__ ](https://guard.io/dictionary/social-engineering \"Guardio Dictionary - What's social engineering?\")\n\nOnce they have your password or access to your account, they can do things like steal your money, send messages pretending to be you, get more of your personal information or even [steal your identity](https://guard.io/dictionary/identity-theft \"Guardio Dictionary - What's identity theft?\").\n\n## Account takeover fraud stats\nAccount takeover fraud is becoming a big problem online, hitting more people every year. Recent numbers show just how serious it is, affecting everyone from big companies to regular folks. As we all share more personal info online, and as hackers get craftier, this issue is only getting worse. Here are some key stats to keep in mind:\n\n__Prevalence:__ About 22% of U.S. adults have experienced account takeovers, impacting over 24 million households.\n\n__Financial impact:__ The average financial loss per incident is approximately $12,000.\n\n__Password security:__ Around 60% of victims used the same password across multiple accounts, increasing the risk and impact of breaches.\n\n__Recent increases:__ Nearly 58% of these takeovers occurred in the past year alone.\n\n__Common targets:__ Social media accounts are the most frequent targets at 51%, followed by financial accounts at 32%.\n\n![Account take over infograph](//images.ctfassets.net/18tcvm6gnkis/5aNfwLx3Wpp5VfeISs3egO/7963bdc8127e562004a8e60563adf3f2/Account_take_over_infograph.png)\n[Source](https://seon.io/resources/statistics-account-takeover-fraud/ \"Seon - Global Statistics in Account Takeover Fraud for 2022\")\n\n#### Staying Safe\nWith [Guardio](https://guard.io/plans \"Guardio Plans page\"), you can protect yourself from account takeovers and other online scams. It stops phishing attempts, secures your social accounts, and keeps you informed about potential breaches.\n\n#### Why Guardio?\nWith over 1.5 million happy customers, [Guardio](https://guard.io/plans \"Guardio Plans page\") is your #1 ally in the digital age. Offering tools and alerts to keep scammers at bay. Try it out with a [7-day free trial](https://guard.io/plans \"Guardio Plans page\") and see how it strengthens your online security!","childMarkdownRemark":{"htmlAst":{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"h1","properties":{"id":"account-takeover-ato","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Account Takeover (ATO)"},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#account-takeover-ato","ariaLabel":"account takeover ato permalink","className":["anchor","after"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"An account takeover happens when someone who shouldn't have access manages to get into your online accounts—think email, social media, or bank accounts. They might figure out your password or trick you into giving it up. Once they're in, they can steal your info, get into your other accounts, or even impersonate you."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Account takeovers can happen in several ways:"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"ul","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"li","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/dictionary/phishing","title":"Guardio Dictionary - What's phishing?"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Phishing"}]},{"type":"text","value":" "}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"li","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-password-security","title":"Guardio Blog - Everything You Need to Know About Password Security"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Guessing passwords"}]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"li","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/dictionary/data-breach","title":"Guardio Dictionary - What's a data breach?"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Data breaches"}]},{"type":"text","value":" "}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"li","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/dictionary/malware","title":"Guardio Dictionary - What's malware?"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Malware"}]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"li","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/dictionary/social-engineering","title":"Guardio Dictionary - What's social engineering?"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Social engineering"}]},{"type":"text","value":" "}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Once they have your password or access to your account, they can do things like steal your money, send messages pretending to be you, get more of your personal information or even "},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"https://guard.io/dictionary/identity-theft","title":"Guardio Dictionary - What's identity theft?"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"steal your identity"}]},{"type":"text","value":"."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"h2","properties":{"id":"account-takeover-fraud-stats","style":"position:relative;"},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Account takeover fraud stats"},{"type":"element","tagName":"a","properties":{"href":"#account-takeover-fraud-stats","ariaLabel":"account takeover fraud stats permalink","className":["anchor","after"]},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"svg","properties":{"ariaHidden":"true","focusable":"false","height":"16","version":"1.1","viewBox":"0 0 16 16","width":"16"},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"path","properties":{"fillRule":"evenodd","d":"M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"},"children":[]}]}]}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Account takeover fraud is becoming a big problem online, hitting more people every year. Recent numbers show just how serious it is, affecting everyone from big companies to regular folks. As we all share more personal info online, and as hackers get craftier, this issue is only getting worse. Here are some key stats to keep in mind:"}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Prevalence:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" About 22% of U.S. adults have experienced account takeovers, impacting over 24 million households."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Financial impact:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" The average financial loss per incident is approximately $12,000."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Password security:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Around 60% of victims used the same password across multiple accounts, increasing the risk and impact of breaches."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Recent increases:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Nearly 58% of these takeovers occurred in the past year alone."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"strong","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Common targets:"}]},{"type":"text","value":" Social media accounts are the most frequent targets at 51%, followed by financial accounts at 32%."}]},{"type":"text","value":"\n"},{"type":"element","tagName":"p","properties":{},"children":[{"type":"element","tagName":"span","properties":{"className":["gatsby-resp-image-wrapper"],"style":"position: relative; 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