What is Piggybacking in Cyber Security? Definition, Types & Prevention

You take your coffee, get to work and ready to start your day. You get your key card and hold it up to the sensor next to the front door The light turns green with a satisfying beep and you hear the door click open. You walk inside and hold the door for your coworker walking in behind you. A perfectly innocuous interaction, right? Unfortunately, this kind of “Piggybacking,” as it‘s known in cybersecurity, can be exploited by bad actors to gain unauthorized building access and wreak havoc on company systems and data. 

Piggybacking, using someone else‘s authorized credentials or access to slip through cyber defenses undetected, is an important threat to both physical and digital security that organizations must understand to properly defend against it.

In this article we’ll discuss all about Piggybacking, how it works to bypass security measures and most importantly, what can be done to prevent it. 

What is Piggybacking in Cyber Security?

In cyberspace, piggybacking can be defined as using the access point to gain access to a restricted area through a security loophole. During cyberattacks, the intruder uses the credentials of the authorized user to bypass the security system. 
 
For example, a hacker may loiter at the entrance of the secured premises to enter by tagging along an individual carrying access badges. The hacker may also use someone’s login credentials to log in to a computer or software application. 
 
Piggybacking entails using the basic human nature of helping other people by letting another person enter after you. Piggybacking entails tricking the victim into opening up by making them believe that he or she is authorized. 
 
In cyber space, piggybacking entails gaining access through exploiting a security loophole through sneaking into restricted access areas using authorized credentials. This is why it is important to be extremely careful when controlling access. 

How does Piggybacking work? 

Some of the basic steps that are considered in a Piggybacking attack are: 

1. Physical Access: This is basically gained by the attackers to access target organization premises. This is performed by blending in with employees or visitors, tailgating authorized persons with the help of secured doors, etc.  
2. Observing Authentication: After this, authentication of an authorized person by the attacker is done to a restricted system. It helps to watch someone log into a computer, enter a password or PIN code, or can use a security badge/access card. 
3. Mimicking Credentials: Now, attackers can get the login credentials by looking over victim ‘s shoulder or using video cameras, keyloggers, or other surveillance methods. All the credentials gathered are then used to gain access by the attacker.  
4. Accessing the System: The stolen login credentials can be used to log into the restricted system by the attacker. Then one can access confidential data, install malware, or carry out other nefarious activities. 
5. Covering Tracks: If you want to avoid early detection, technical tricks like deleting access logs, editing system files, etc., can be used by the attacker to cover their tracks. 
6. Maintaining Access: Installation of backdoors or the creation of new accounts is done by the attacker. This is basically done to maintain long-term unauthorized access to the system. 

Examples of Piggybacking

Piggybacking takes advantage of Wi-Fi networks that are either unprotected or have we ak security protections. Below are some more details on how Wi-Fi Piggybacking commonly occurs: 

• Unprotected businesses: There are many instances of small businesses lacking password-protected networks. Competitors or customers looking to gain temporary, unmonitored access to the network can. A business does not even have to be aware of the fact, that third-party users are benefitting from the use of their network. Password protecting networks, especially in small businesses such as coffee shops, is essential. 
• Publicly available passwords: A number of coffee shops make the Wi-Fi password convenient for multiple customers by writing it on a receipt or chalkboard. To some extent, the coffee shop is making their network easily accessible for their customers. However, anyone who happens to be in the coffee shop can easily see the password and use it. After leaving the coffee shop, someone who is authorized to use the password may still be using the network unmonitored. Passwords should not be displayed in a publicly accessible format. 
• Personal hotspots: A number of people, when using their phones as personal hotspots in public places, forget to place a password on the network. This creates a publicly accessible network. Unauthorized personal access to the network can occur. An individual may be nearby and use the hotspot. Use of a personal hotspot means the individual must create and use a unique, strong password to avoid unmonitored access to the network. 
• Home routers: Many households, when using routers to set up a home network, also fail to create and use a unique, strong password. A lack of password or a weak password can allow anyone nearby to access and use the homeowners’ Wi-Fi unmonitored. A unique and strong password must be used when setting up a home router to avoid unmonitored access to the network. 

By using strong unique passwords and avoiding publicly displaying password information, businesses and individuals can reduce their risk. Proper Wi-Fi security is important to prevent unauthorized and often unseen usage of networks and internet connections. 

How to Prevent Wi-Fi Piggybacking Attacks? 

Unauthorized Wi-Fi users who ‘piggyback’ on your internet intercept signals, allowing them to access and potentially steal your bandwidth and data. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to protect your network from Wi-Fi piggybacking. 

Create Long, Complex Passwords

To prevent piggybacking, you should use Wi-Fi passwords of at least ten characters, thus if you have to use complex passwords, there are a lot of options. 

All passwords you use for various accounts should be different, as this also prevents piggybacking attempts. 

Secretive Past

Wi-Fi passwords should never be posted for the public to see 

Though piggybacking prevention may be a nuisance to some, it is certainly an important to protect your data and bandwidth. Consider password managers for you to keep your data safe. 

Password Change After Breach 

• After a security breach, old passwords should always be changed. 
• Try to change your password at least every three to six months. 

Check Connected Devices Frequently 

• Go to the router admin page and frequently see the devices that are connected to the network. 
• If there is an unknown device, especially of concern, make sure to remove it from the network. 

Remove Unauthorized Devices  

Disconnect the device and then go to the router control panel and make sure to block the MAC address for future attempts. 

Additional Tips

• Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption on your network.
• Hide your SSID so only authorized users can connect.
• Use MAC address filtering to limit connections.
• Update router firmware and security settings regularly.

Conclusion

Though making use of piggybacking may be slightly less advanced than other forms of hacking, it is still a major security threat. Employers need to train workers to be careful and to follow access rules, including adopting multi-factor authentication systems in an effort to stop unauthorized access through piggybacking. 

Entering controlled access zones should be done with caution. Employees should not allow outsiders to enter right behind them. Cyber hygiene should be observed by all and will keep the piggyback hacking threat to a minimum. 

To learn more about securing your organization from cyber threats like piggybacking, enroll in CCS Learning Academy‘s comprehensive cybersecurity courses.  

Industry experts design our programs to provide the latest knowledge and training on protecting critical systems and data. We offer flexible online classes for beginners and advanced cybersecurity professionals alike. 

Invest in yourself and your company‘s security – register today! Hav ing any queries? 

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