Hackers Aren’t Breaking In – They’re Logging In
15 Aug 2025Cybercriminals are shifting tactics — and it’s bad news for small and medium businesses across Australia. They’re no longer “breaking down the door” with brute force attacks. Instead, they’re quietly walking in with a stolen key: your login credentials. At BlueReef Technology, we’re seeing this trend first-hand — and too many Australian businesses don’t realise it’s happening until it’s too late.
This type of cyberattack is known as an identity-based attack. It’s now one of the most common ways hackers gain access to business systems, and it’s highly effective. They steal passwords, trick staff into revealing details through phishing emails, or bombard employees with login requests until someone clicks “Approve” without thinking. And it’s working. The Australian Cyber Security Centre has reported thousands of credential theft incidents in the past year alone, many involving small and medium businesses. If global giants like MGM and Caesars can be hit this way, no business is too small to be a target.
How Hackers Get In
Most identity-based attacks start with something simple, like a stolen password. But the methods are getting more sophisticated:
Phishing emails and fake login pages that fool employees into handing over details.SIM swapping to intercept text messages used for two-factor authentication (2FA). MFA fatigue attacks that flood your device with approval requests until you click without thinking. Targeting third parties, like vendors or contractors, as a way into your systems.
Compromising personal devices used for work.
For Australian businesses, this is more than an inconvenience — under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, you’re legally required to report certain breaches. Failing to do so can lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and loss of client trust.
How to Protect Your Business
The good news is you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to make your business a much harder target. These steps not only protect your data but also help align your defences with the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight framework and meet obligations under the NDB scheme:
- Enable Strong Multifactor Authentication (MFA) — MFA adds a critical extra layer of security — but not all MFA is equal. Use app-based authentication or physical security keys rather than SMS codes, which can be intercepted.
- Train Your Team — Your employees are your first line of defence. Regular awareness training helps them spot phishing attempts, suspicious links, and unusual requests — and know exactly how to report them.
- Limit Access and Privileges — Give staff access only to the systems and data they need for their role. If a hacker does compromise an account, their access is limited and damage can be contained.
- Strengthen (or Remove) Passwords — Use strong, unique passwords managed by a password manager, or go passwordless with biometric logins or security keys.
The Bottom Line
Hackers are targeting credentials because it’s easier — and it works. But with the right strategies in place, you can reduce your risk, stay compliant, and protect your reputation. At BlueReef Technology, we help Australian businesses put these protections in place without slowing down operations.
Don’t wait until after a breach to act — book your free security discovery call today and find out where your business is most at risk before an attacker does.
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