The FBI has warned users of popular email providers such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL regarding a surge in online criminal activity that compromises email accounts, including those secured by multifactor authentication (MFA).
Online criminals lure people into visiting suspicious websites or clicking on phishing links, which then download malicious applications onto their computers. One of the most common tactics they employ to gain access to email accounts is cookie theft.
These session or security cookies, often known as "remember me" cookies, store login information to make it easier to access frequently visited websites and accounts. Cookie theft enables attackers to access users' accounts without requiring their username, password, or MFA. The FBI claims that this strategy works especially well when a user selects the "Remember this device" checkbox during login.
“This problem affects all email platforms with web logins, although Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL are the largest targets,” notes cybersecurity expert Zak Doffman. “It also impacts other types of accounts such as shopping sites and financial platforms.”
Google has been warning users about cookie theft and developing new ways to prevent it. However, the threat remains significant, as fraudsters develop new techniques.
FBI warn users
The FBI advises users to take the following precautions to secure their accounts:
- Clear your internet browser's cookies on a regular basis.
- When logging into websites, avoid choosing the "Remember Me" checkbox.
- Do not access unsecured websites or click on dubious links.
- Check your account settings for recent device login history on a regular basis.
Despite the flaws identified in their warning, the FBI emphasises that MFA remains one of the best actions users can take to secure their accounts. Google agrees, describing security cookies as "fundamental to the modern web" because of their utility, but conceding that they are a tempting target for hackers.
Organisations should also implement MFA on all platforms. Amazon just executed MFA to its workplace email service, WorkMail. Though it took a long time to implement, it is a positive step towards better safety. Finally, any type of multi-factor authentication is preferable to simply typing a password.
Users should take all necessary precautions to safeguard their accounts by combining the newest security tools with sound security practices. Report cybercrime to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3) if you believe you have been a victim. The official FBI website has more thorough advice on how to safeguard your online safety.
