What would happen if someone got hold of an old employee password that was never changed or fully removed?
Not a current password.
Just an old one sitting in the background.
This is exactly how a recent cyberattack worked. Attackers were able to collect business data from multiple organisations and later sell it online.
In many cases, the issue was simple. Systems were still protected by just a username and password, with no second step required.
That’s where Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) comes in.
MFA adds an extra layer of security, such as a code on a phone or an approval prompt. So even if a password is stolen, it cannot be used on its own.
In this attack, stolen passwords came from infostealer malware. This is software that quietly collects saved login details from devices, including personal and work laptops. Some of these passwords were very old, showing that stolen credentials can still be used long after they were taken.
This is the real risk. Old passwords do not expire on their own, and attackers often use them much later.
If MFA had been enabled, these stolen passwords would not have been enough to gain access.
Yes, MFA adds an extra step at login, but it stops a simple password leak from becoming a serious breach.
Passwords alone are no longer enough. MFA turns a stolen password into useless information.
At Myriad Technologies, we help businesses set up MFA properly and strengthen their security without adding unnecessary complexity.
If you are not fully protected yet, now is the time to fix it.