Protection against modern unauthorized access methods: detection and prevention

Introduction

With the rapid growth of interest in cryptocurrencies and digital assets, malicious actors are constantly improving their attack methods. The most concerning are complex schemes aimed at gaining control over user accounts. In this article, we will examine three main categories of threats and provide practical tips on how to avoid them.

The Complexity of Two-Factor Authentication and Its Vulnerabilities

Why 2FA Remains a Target for Cybercriminals

Two-factor authentication – an important layer of protection, but not invulnerable. After a 2FA device is compromised, malicious actors gain significant capabilities:

• Unlimited access to all account functions, including the ability to perform financial transactions
• The ability to lock out the legitimate owner by removing their authorized devices and installing their own
• Persistent control over the account even after password changes, since the 2FA device remains in the attacker’s possession

Real Story of a Security Breach

Imagine a user who carefully protected their credentials on a major financial platform. They set up their smartphone as an authenticator and felt secure. During the installation of additional apps from unofficial sources, they accidentally installed malicious software. This malware exploited a system vulnerability and gained access to all phone data. The result was catastrophic: the attacker gained control over the 2FA device and quickly transferred funds from the account.

How to Protect Against 2FA Compromise

• Use a separate email address for critical accounts to reduce the risk of simultaneous compromise of all profiles
• Install an additional physical authenticator for more important transactions
• Create strong passwords combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
• Regularly review your account activity history and the list of devices with access
• Download apps only from official app stores

Phishing Schemes and User Manipulation

How Attackers Use Emotions

Phishing is a form of social engineering that relies on manipulating human emotions. Attackers exploit fear, urgency, and greed:

• Urgency element: a fake message claims unauthorized withdrawal or a potential account threat
• Reward promise: offering participation in profit sharing or investment opportunities
• Official appearance: fake emails look like current messages from platform representatives

Anatomy of a Phishing Link

Signs of a phishing email include links that appear similar to legitimate ones but contain distinctive features:

• Adding suffixes like “-verify”, “-secure”, or “-account”
• Including country codes such as “-ua”, “-de”, “-uk”
• Minor spelling errors in the domain name
• Shortened URLs hiding the true destination
• Urging immediate password or authentication code entry

Typical Attack on an Unattentive User

Imagine a user actively trading cryptocurrencies on a fake platform. They receive an email supposedly from support warning about account issues. In haste, without verifying the sender’s address or the website’s authenticity, they click the link and enter their credentials and 2FA code. Within minutes, they realize their funds are on the way to the attacker’s account.

Methods to Protect Against Phishing

• Never click links from unknown sources – always manually enter the URL in your browser
• Check the sender’s address, especially the domain part of the email
• Before entering confidential information, ask yourself: does the service really send such messages?
• Use anti-phishing codes and verification features on platforms
• Many browsers now have built-in warnings about phishing sites – pay attention to them
• No legitimate service will ask for your password or 2FA codes via email or SMS

Session Hijacking and Cookie Files Usage

Fundamental Principles of Cookies

Cookies are an essential part of web service functionality. They store small text files that allow servers to remember you during navigation. Thanks to cookies, you don’t need to re-enter your password each time or reconfigure your settings.

In normal use, this is convenient: you log into your account once, and the system recognizes you automatically for hours or days. This period is called a session. However, if an attacker gains access to your cookies, they can log into your account without a password – because the server will see “you.”

Methods of Cookie Theft

Malicious actors can use several methods to intercept session files:

Session Fixation
An attacker pre-establishes a specific session identifier on a website and sends it to the victim. When the user clicks the link and logs in, their session receives the same ID known to the attacker. Now, both the user and attacker can use the same session.

Active Interception on Public Networks
In places with public Wi-Fi (cafes, airports, hotels), attackers set up traffic interceptors. Everything transmitted over such networks, including session cookies, can be detected and stolen.

Cross-Site Script Injection
An attacker sends a victim a link that looks legitimate. On the page, if loaded, a malicious script is hidden. When the user clicks the link, the script searches for the session ID and transmits it to the attacker. Armed with this information, the attacker can independently contact the service, and the server will accept it as a legitimate user.

Signs That Your Session Has Been Compromised

• An unknown device appears on the device management page, from which no one logged in
• Two devices have active sessions from different geographic locations simultaneously
• Warnings about login from a new browser or operating system that you do not recognize
• Unexpected service failures or abnormal account behavior

Ways to Avoid Session Hijacking

• Do not log into important accounts over open Wi-Fi networks – use mobile data or your home network
• If you need to use a public network, use a VPN
• Do not install untrusted browser extensions or plugins
• Regularly update your operating system and browser
• Install reputable antivirus software
• Do not log into accounts from unknown or shared devices
• Use HTTPS for all connections to important services

Conclusion

Understanding the methods by which attackers target accounts is the most crucial first step in preventing them. Whether it’s session fixation, 2FA device compromise, or sophisticated phishing schemes, user awareness remains the most reliable shield. Regularly check your account activity, critically evaluate messages and links, and always be alert to the slightest signs of unauthorized access. Your vigilance is the best guarantee of the security of your digital assets.