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Home / Glossary / Account takeover
Glossary · Security

Account takeover

In plain language

When someone else gets into your email or other account and uses it as if they were you.

The metaphor

Like someone copying your office keys and moving in: they can walk the halls, read the files and sign letters in your name.

Going deeper

How it works

  • Usually starts with a phished or reused password.
  • The attacker reads mail, adds hidden forwarding rules and sends fake invoices from your real address.
  • MFA and login monitoring stop most of it.
  • Fast response limits the damage: reset the password, kick out sessions, remove rules.

How WILDCARD handles it

Identity Monitor watches every login and session around the clock and shuts down suspicious activity automatically. Password Manager and MFA make the first step harder.

In practice
  • A recruiter's mailbox sends fake invoices to clients.
  • A bookkeeper's account forwards mail to an outside address.
  • An owner finds sign-ins from another country.

A question owners ask

How would I know my account was taken over? Look for sent mail you did not write, unfamiliar sign-ins and new inbox rules. Monitoring spots these faster than people do.

Where WILDCARD handles this
Identity
Monitor
  • 24/7 identity monitoring
  • Every alert investigated
  • Compromised logins shut down
Start with Identity MonitorMeet Identity Monitor →
Password
Manager
  • Encrypted team vaults
  • Strong passwords, health reports
  • Setup and training included
Start with Password ManagerMeet Password Manager →
Related terms
Admin accountAPTAdvanced Persistent ThreatBiometricsBrute force attackCERTComputer Emergency Response TeamCIRTComputer Incident Response TeamCredential stuffingCyber insurance

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