The internet has made its way into our daily lives, and websites and services galore need accounts to be accessed. Overtime, most people have created accounts that are no longer in use, completely forgetting they have them. These orphaned online accounts are a very real cybersecurity threat, potentially serving as a gateway for cyber attackers. Just because you’ve left an account behind doesn’t mean it’s secure—it becomes a ticking time bomb that can compromise your personal info and web security.
In this article, we discuss why abandoned accounts are dangerous, how they can be exploited against you, and ways to protect yourself.
1. Weak and Dated Security Makes Them Easy Targets
Legacy accounts will tend to have poor passwords that do not meet today’s security requirements. If you signed up years ago using an easily guessed or common password, your account is a target waiting to be hit by hackers.
Secondly, most forgotten accounts do not have two-factor authentication (2FA), a security feature which today has become indispensable in cybersecurity. Because these accounts were created before 2FA became available for most services, they are extremely susceptible to unauthorized login attempts. They are easily compromizable with brute-force attempts or compromised password databases.
2. Data Breaches Can Reveal Your Forgotten Credentials
Even if you’ve not used an account since ages, your own information might still be stored on its servers. If the firm suffers a data breach, attackers can steal and sell your login credentials on the dark web.
Since individuals reuse the same passwords across websites, a single compromised account can have numerous security breaches. Criminals use the technique of credential stuffing where stolen login credentials are used to test against multiple websites. If you had a password on several websites, your open accounts are also at risk.
3. Hackers Can Steal Your Identity and Reputation
An inactive account that still holds personal data, email history, or old social media posts can be taken over and used for ill. Cybercriminals can:
- Utilize your account to send phishing emails to your friends and acquaintances, advertising malware or scams.
- Post malicious content on old social media accounts, ruining your reputation.
- Utilize your email for scams, such as opening ghost accounts or impersonating you.
This can be extremely damaging for experts who have left behind old work accounts. An exploited profile can ruin your name before you ever realize it happened.
4. Abandoned Accounts Can Be Exploited for Identity Theft
Some of the abandoned accounts continue to contain sensitive personal information, including:
- Full name, birthday, and home address
- Credit card numbers (if they’re stored)
- Security questions and responses
Hackers can use this information for identity theft, to open credit accounts, borrow money, or make fraud charges against you. The longer an account is forgotten, the more likely it will be hacked without your awareness.
5. Companies Don‘t Always Delete Your Data
Most users believe that failure to log in to an account for decades implies that the company will erase their information—but that is not necessarily so. Certain services retain user data forever, even without activity for decades.
If a company shuts down or is bought over by another organization, your data may be transferred or leaked. Accounts that have been abandoned are not frequently scanned for security updates, and therefore, they are an easy target for attackers looking for weak systems.
How to Protect Yourself from Abandoned Account Threats
The best way to protect yourself is to take charge of your online presence. This is what you can do:
1. Audit Your Online Accounts
Sort through your email inbox and search for forgotten sign-up confirmation messages. This will decide unused accounts and whether you should lock or delete them.
2. Delete Accounts That You No Longer Use
If a service provides a deletion option for an account, delete it immediately. This removes your information from being stored and reused later.
3. Update Passwords for Accounts You Have
For accounts you still need, reset their passwords to strong, unique combinations. Employ a password manager to help create and store complicated passwords securely.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
If a current account supports 2FA, enable it to provide another layer of protection. This prevents hackers from logging into your account even if they have your password.
5. Monitor for Data Breaches
Use tools such as Have I Been Pwned to see if your email and passwords have appeared in data breaches. If so, immediately update your passwords.
6. Delete Saved Payment Info
If a former account still has saved your credit card information, delete them so you won’t see mysterious charges if there is a breach.
7. Use a Specific Sign-Up Email
Use a dedicated email address for account registrations. This helps in keeping track of old accounts and minimizes the risk to your main email.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Forgotten Accounts Become a Future Threat
The internet never forgets, and neither do hackers. Forgotten, abandoned accounts seem harmless but are a serious security risk. Hackers take the extra step to look for weaknesses to exploit, and forgotten login details are gold to them.
By scanning for inactive accounts and deleting them regularly, having security settings updated, and being aware of threats, you can make sure that your online history is not a cybersecurity horror.
So take a few minutes today to look for dormant accounts—your future self will appreciate it!
